CMN 110 - Public Speaking: Selecting and Narrowing a Topic

• Social Aspect
• Cultural Aspect
• Historical Aspect (time)
• Type
• Place
• Combining two similar topics*
• Combining two or more of the aspects above
• Join together related concepts 

1. Thou shalt do some background reading, think hard, and speak with the professor in order to identify a topic. 
2. Thou shalt have a clear research question. 
3. Thou shalt do real research. 
4. Thou shalt make an argument. 
5. Thou shalt write well.

• The Five Commandments of Writing Research Papers 

Browse a list of controversial issues, or keyword search for a specific issue.

• CQ Researcher Tutorial Video