Topic selection and document design

Choosing a topic BRAINSTORMING IDEAS

Areas of expertise

 Academic major

 Employment

 Hobbies

Academic background

 Scientific majors May want to suggest new research or a new way of examining something

 Computer science May know better program, type of equipment, etc.

to propose

Job skills

 Awareness of problem, i.e. computer crashes, report format, that could be improved, changed

 Tell new employees how to perform a task

 Train existing employees in an area you are well acquainted

Hobbies

 Athletic training  Bicycling long distances  Flying model airplanes  Creating home videos

Once you choose a topic

 Who are you?  Who is your audience?  What do they need to know?  What research will you need to

perform?  What experts can you consult?

Brainstorming

 Several methods work to brainstorm

 Listing  Some people prefer writing out

words or phrases under each category – Work, hobbies, school, etc.

 Mapping  Similar to lists except it is more visual.

You actually draw circles for topics