All writing begins with thinking. When you come up with a subject for a research paper, as with any other writing assignment, you must draw upon yourself as a source. All writers depend on their storehouse of experience—everything they have seen, heard, read, and even dreamed.
People often worry that they have nothing to write about, especially when it comes to a mammoth project such as a research paper. Often, however, you know far more than you are willing to give yourself credit for. Your task? To discover which of your ideas will be most suitable for the research paper you have to do now. Below are some proven techniques for generating subjects.
Since not every method works for every writer, experiment with these techniques to find the one or ones that suit your writing style. And even if one method works very well for you, don't be afraid to try other ones. They may uncover still other possible subjects for your research paper.

1. Keep an idea book. Many professional writers keep an "idea book" as a place where they can store their ideas and let them incubate. You don't have to be a profes- sional writer to use an idea book; it works equally well for novice writers. Think of this as a scrapbook rather than as a diary or journal. Here are some items that can serve as the seeds for a great research paper:

• newspaper clippings
• magazine articles
• personal letters
• snapshots
• postcards
• other visuals

2. List ideas. You can also brainstorm ideas for possible subjects. This method allows you to come up with many ideas fast because you're writing words, not sentences or paragraphs. To use this method, number from 1 to 10 and jot down any ideas you have for research paper subjects.
3.Make a web. Webbing, also called "clustering" or "mapping," is a visual way of sparking ideas for subjects. Since a web looks very different from a paragraph or list, many writers find that it frees their mind to roam over a wider variety of ideas.
When you create a web, first write your subject in the center of a page. Draw a circle around it. Next draw lines radiating from the center and circles at the end of each line. Write an idea in each circle. Here's a model:

4.Draw visuals. A web is only one type of visual format; there are many other visuals that you can use to generate ideas for research paper subjects. Charts work especially well for some people; Venn diagrams or story charts for others. Experiment with different visual formats until you find which ones work best for you in each writing situation.
5.Use the 5 Ws and H. The "5 Ws and H" stand for who, what, when, where, why, and how. They are also called "The Journalist's Questions" because they appear in the first paragraph (the "lead") of every news story. Asking these questions forces you to approach a subject from several different angles. Many people find this approach useful for starting highly detailed papers.
6.Freewrite. Freewriting is nonstop writing that helps jog your memory and release hidden ideas. When you freewrite, you jot down whatever comes to mind without worrying about spelling, punctuation, grammar, or style. Select the method of composition that allows you to freewrite most quickly: keyboarding or longhand. The key to freewriting is letting your mind roam and seeing what subjects it uncovers.
7.Read. Reading widely can help you come up with great research paper topics. Try different genres to get ideas. Don't restrict yourself. Here are some possibilities:

•    short stories
•    essays
•    newspapers
•    professional journals
•    autobiographies
•    plays and drama

•    novels
•    poems

•    magazines
•    critical reviews
•    biographies
•    scripts

CONSULT EXPERTS FOR SUBJECTS

Can't come up with anything you like? Why not consult outside experts? In addition to speaking to people who have written research papers, check with the teachers, parents, and professionals you know. Doctors, lawyers, accountants, real estate salespeople, computer programmers, and other business people are all excellent sources for ideas.

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