Every time you narrow a subject into a topic, remember your boundaries and parameters: time, length, audience, and purpose. Keep all other special considerations in mind as well. Always consider what you can handle within the restrictions you have been given-as well as what you would most enjoy writing about for several weeks or months. Follow these guidelines:
1.   Start with a general subject that interests you and fits the parameters of the assignment.
2.   Phrase the subject as a question.
3.   Brainstorm subdivisions of the subject to create topics.
4.   Consult different sources for possible subtopics. Possibilities include the Internet, card catalog, reference books, magazines, friends, and the media.
5.   Sift the ideas until you find one that suits the assignment, audience, and your preferences.

6. Write your final topic as a question.
Below is the process that Samantha followed to narrow a subject into a topic. Samantha wanted to write a research paper on some aspect of television, a very broad subject.
By looking through the Internet, skimming the card catalog, talking to friends, watching television, and reading some general interest newsmagazines that had articles on the subject, Samantha came up with these ideas:
Subject Television
Question What do I want to find out about television?

Specific Topics:

Television as "vast wasteland"
Television as "chewing gum for the mind"
Children and television
Educational television
Cable television
Television documentaries
Golden Age of television
Television and ethnic stereotypes
Sex and violence on television
Amount of television watched and its effect
Tabloid television

Reading over the list, Samantha realized that some of her ideas were still very broad. For example, "children and television" is large enough to be the subject of a book-or a series of books. The same is true of "television documentaries," "Golden Age of television," and "cable television."
Further, even narrowing down some of these topics might not lead to persuasive essays. "Cable television," for instance, seems better suited to an expository essay that explains the history of the field, its impact on viewers, and so on.
One evening, Samantha was watching reruns of a children's educational television show she had loved years ago when the idea came to her: Is educational television really educational? Maybe educational television was indeed beneficial in teaching numbers, letters, and other necessary content- or perhaps it affected children negatively.
Now Samantha had her narrowed topic and could continue with the next step, writing a thesis statement. This is covered in the next chapter.

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