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SUNY Erie Library Resource Center

Research, Writing and Citation Guide

A guide to help with all stages of a research paper.

How to Select a Topic

Use these four (4) steps to help you decide on the right topic for your papers and projects:

  • Scholarly
    • Pick a topic suitable for a college level paper; use your textbook or classnotes for ideas
  • Feelings
    • Pick a topic you care to learn more information about; your interest will be reflected in your writing
  • Length
    • Pick a topic that matches the length of the paper you are writing; the shorter the paper - the more narrow the topic
  • Search
    • Browse the library for books and journal articles on your topic. This can help you narrow down or expand on a topic.

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