University of Southern Maine

Brain Teasers for Choosing and Developing a Topic

Choose a Topic:
If you are struggling to choose a topic, look around you.  What interests you?  What will help you further your career?

School: Let's say you are asked to write a paper for your composition class--any topic.  You are a political science major who wants to eventually work in government in Bulgaria.  You could write on the upcoming presidential elections, perhaps proposing a solution to the problem of voter apathy.  Now narrow it:  who?  voters ?  why?  because democratic process is important?  where:  Sophia?  when:  three months before the election?  how:  by using local media?  special events to draw people in?

Work:  Your office is a madhouse.  There are so many problems that you can't focus on one in particular, but you want to take action.  Choose one problem--in this case the most appropriate question will be, "what is the most pressing problem?"  Let's say you have been asked to make space in your office for two more staff members.  You know that this will be impossible--you are already overcrowded.  Now you need to write a memo to your supervisor arguing that this is impossible.  why?  because people need some space, some air, some room to store things, some quiet. how?  perhaps you can propose an alternate solution?  when?  when will you expect an answer to your memo?

Brainteasing: smell, taste, touch, sound, sight
Use your five senses to develop your topic.  Suppose you are arguing for the rights of non-smokers.  What it is like to be in a room full of smoke?

alternate viewpoint
Try to stand in someone else's shoes and view your topic from there.  Look at that office space issue from the viewpoint of the people who have no office...does an alternate viewpoint make you change your own mind?

break stereotypes
Think about conventional ideas, then do your best to tear them down.  Again, consider the office example.  Why not break the stereotype that the "boss" always needs the big office?  Why not let the secretary have it--he or she is the one who keeps the file cabinets, fax, copier, computer, printer, telephone, and a million other things. Consider breaking down a slogan. Example:  A woman's place is in the home.  Yes, and she should go there directly after work.

compare and contrast
capitalism with socialism, murder with manslaughter, your workload vs. your co-workers

list examples
anecdote & profile here

make a bug list
what things bug you most about the topic? (voting--they don't vote, and then they complain!)

ask questions use humor and fantasy