{"id":205,"date":"2025-04-17T16:35:08","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T16:35:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/chapter\/text-where-to-start-a-paper\/"},"modified":"2025-07-08T16:45:30","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T16:45:30","slug":"text-where-to-start-a-paper","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/chapter\/text-where-to-start-a-paper\/","title":{"raw":"Topic Selection: Learn It 1","rendered":"Topic Selection: Learn It 1"},"content":{"raw":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\" aria-label=\"Learning Goals\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Analyze how to effectively approach a writing assignment<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Analyze strategies for choosing a paper topic<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_418\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"259\"]<img class=\"wp-image-418\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2016\/06\/23185522\/2160949847_9af7812ba5_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Five sticky notes on a billboard. Each contains a letter to spell out &quot;START&quot;.\" width=\"259\" height=\"194\" \/> <strong>Figure 1<\/strong>. Before beginning any writing assignment, always ensure that you understand your instructor's expectations and criteria for the paper.[\/caption]\r\n<h2>Starting a Paper<\/h2>\r\nFortunately, most writing assignments include some directions and parameters, and these constraints can help you feel less daunted when you set out to find a topic or begin writing. Understanding what your instructor expects in the final paper is often the best place to start.\u200b\r\n<h3><strong>1. Read the assignment prompt carefully.<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nAn <strong>assignment prompt<\/strong> is a set of instructions that outlines the topic, expectations, and guidelines for a writing task, including key questions, format requirements, the intended audience, and grading criteria.\r\n\r\nWhen reading the assignment prompt, consider underlining key words and questions. Look for clues that indicate the topic, questions to answer, word count, source requirements, and intended audience. Knowing what kind of writing you\u2019ll be doing can help you narrow your focus and organize your approach. Clues can be found in the verbs used in the assignment: Are you being asked to <em>analyze<\/em> a historical event, <em>compare<\/em> <em>and contrast<\/em> two films, or <em>discuss<\/em> works by different authors?\r\n<h3><strong>2. What question(s) are being asked? Do you understand them?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nIdentify the key question(s) in the assignment and ensure you understand them. If any terms or concepts are unclear, review your class readings and notes, as they provide the context needed for your course. A dictionary might not be much help, as this assignment is specific to what you've been discussing and studying in your particular class. If you\u2019re still unsure, ask your instructor for clarification.\r\n\r\nFor example, if you\u2019re taking a class on eighteenth-century British history, and the assignment asks you to provide evidence of \u201cEnlightenment thinking\u201d in a certain author\u2019s work\u2014and you\u2019re not sure what Enlightenment thinking means\u2014you\u2019ll probably want to go back to your readings and check your notes.\r\n<h3><strong>3. What kind of paper are you being asked to write?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow\">\r\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"c0015e47-af68-414b-bde9-73c9035ae611\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-4o\">\r\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]\">\r\n<div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert dark\">\r\n\r\nBefore writing an essay, consider the requirements and how you will meet them. Many students make the mistake of jumping in without thinking rhetorically.\r\n\r\n<strong>Thinking rhetorically<\/strong> means considering the assignment\u2019s purpose, audience, tone, and overall approach. <strong>Rhetoric<\/strong> can be simply defined as figuring out what you need to do to be effective, no matter the writing situation.\r\n\r\nEvery writing assignment presents a unique situation\u2014rather than aiming for a single \"right\" way to write, focus on what makes writing effective for each situation.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h3><strong>4. Who is the audience for this paper?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nKnowing your audience can help you decide whether you\u2019ll be writing for someone who is familiar with your topic (e.g., your instructor) or not (e.g., your classmates or family). That, in turn, may influence your thoughts about the main points you are trying to get across and what is most important for you to cover.\r\n\r\nKnowing your intended audience will also help you determine what type of tone and voice you should use in your paper. Can it be informal and conversational? Or should it be more research-based and formal?\r\n<h3><strong>5. What sources will you need in order to fulfill the assignment? Are your own opinions permissible, or are you expected to support your claims with evidence from other sources?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nEven if you are required to consult or cite a certain number of academic sources, you may be able to start thinking about a topic or do some initial brainstorming before you head to the library.\r\n\r\nFor example, if your assignment asks you to \u201cexplore the reasons for the growing opioid epidemic in America today,\u201d and you\u2019ve been discussing this issue in class all term, you may have enough ideas to do some brainstorming and get started\u2014even if you will need to do additional research.\r\n\r\nWhen you receive your writing assignment from your professor, it\u2019s important to stop and think about your assignment. What are the requirements? What is the purpose of this assignment? What is your professor asking you to write? Who are you writing for?\r\n\r\n<section class=\"textbox linkToLearning\" aria-label=\"Link to Learning\">When getting started on a writing assignment, it's also a good idea to plan out enough time to work through each step of the writing process. Use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esc.edu\/learning-support\/assignment-calculator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this assignment calculator<\/a> to help you break it down.<\/section><section class=\"textbox tryIt\" aria-label=\"Try It\">[ohm2_question]34380[\/ohm2_question]<\/section>","rendered":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\" aria-label=\"Learning Goals\">\n<ul>\n<li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Analyze how to effectively approach a writing assignment<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Analyze strategies for choosing a paper topic<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<figure id=\"attachment_418\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-418\" style=\"width: 259px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-418\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2016\/06\/23185522\/2160949847_9af7812ba5_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Five sticky notes on a billboard. Each contains a letter to spell out &quot;START&quot;.\" width=\"259\" height=\"194\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-418\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 1<\/strong>. Before beginning any writing assignment, always ensure that you understand your instructor&#8217;s expectations and criteria for the paper.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Starting a Paper<\/h2>\n<p>Fortunately, most writing assignments include some directions and parameters, and these constraints can help you feel less daunted when you set out to find a topic or begin writing. Understanding what your instructor expects in the final paper is often the best place to start.\u200b<\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. Read the assignment prompt carefully.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>An <strong>assignment prompt<\/strong> is a set of instructions that outlines the topic, expectations, and guidelines for a writing task, including key questions, format requirements, the intended audience, and grading criteria.<\/p>\n<p>When reading the assignment prompt, consider underlining key words and questions. Look for clues that indicate the topic, questions to answer, word count, source requirements, and intended audience. Knowing what kind of writing you\u2019ll be doing can help you narrow your focus and organize your approach. Clues can be found in the verbs used in the assignment: Are you being asked to <em>analyze<\/em> a historical event, <em>compare<\/em> <em>and contrast<\/em> two films, or <em>discuss<\/em> works by different authors?<\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. What question(s) are being asked? Do you understand them?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Identify the key question(s) in the assignment and ensure you understand them. If any terms or concepts are unclear, review your class readings and notes, as they provide the context needed for your course. A dictionary might not be much help, as this assignment is specific to what you&#8217;ve been discussing and studying in your particular class. If you\u2019re still unsure, ask your instructor for clarification.<\/p>\n<p>For example, if you\u2019re taking a class on eighteenth-century British history, and the assignment asks you to provide evidence of \u201cEnlightenment thinking\u201d in a certain author\u2019s work\u2014and you\u2019re not sure what Enlightenment thinking means\u2014you\u2019ll probably want to go back to your readings and check your notes.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>3. What kind of paper are you being asked to write?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow\">\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"c0015e47-af68-414b-bde9-73c9035ae611\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-4o\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert dark\">\n<p>Before writing an essay, consider the requirements and how you will meet them. Many students make the mistake of jumping in without thinking rhetorically.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Thinking rhetorically<\/strong> means considering the assignment\u2019s purpose, audience, tone, and overall approach. <strong>Rhetoric<\/strong> can be simply defined as figuring out what you need to do to be effective, no matter the writing situation.<\/p>\n<p>Every writing assignment presents a unique situation\u2014rather than aiming for a single &#8220;right&#8221; way to write, focus on what makes writing effective for each situation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3><strong>4. Who is the audience for this paper?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Knowing your audience can help you decide whether you\u2019ll be writing for someone who is familiar with your topic (e.g., your instructor) or not (e.g., your classmates or family). That, in turn, may influence your thoughts about the main points you are trying to get across and what is most important for you to cover.<\/p>\n<p>Knowing your intended audience will also help you determine what type of tone and voice you should use in your paper. Can it be informal and conversational? Or should it be more research-based and formal?<\/p>\n<h3><strong>5. What sources will you need in order to fulfill the assignment? Are your own opinions permissible, or are you expected to support your claims with evidence from other sources?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Even if you are required to consult or cite a certain number of academic sources, you may be able to start thinking about a topic or do some initial brainstorming before you head to the library.<\/p>\n<p>For example, if your assignment asks you to \u201cexplore the reasons for the growing opioid epidemic in America today,\u201d and you\u2019ve been discussing this issue in class all term, you may have enough ideas to do some brainstorming and get started\u2014even if you will need to do additional research.<\/p>\n<p>When you receive your writing assignment from your professor, it\u2019s important to stop and think about your assignment. What are the requirements? What is the purpose of this assignment? What is your professor asking you to write? Who are you writing for?<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox linkToLearning\" aria-label=\"Link to Learning\">When getting started on a writing assignment, it&#8217;s also a good idea to plan out enough time to work through each step of the writing process. Use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esc.edu\/learning-support\/assignment-calculator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this assignment calculator<\/a> to help you break it down.<\/section>\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\" aria-label=\"Try It\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"ohm34380\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/ohm.one.lumenlearning.com\/multiembedq.php?id=34380&theme=lumen&iframe_resize_id=ohm34380&source=tnh&show_question_numbers\" width=\"100%\" height=\"150\"><\/iframe><\/section>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"menu_order":3,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Starting a Paper\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Image of Start\",\"author\":\"Nick Farr\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/4hXr6Z\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Thinking About Your Assignment\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Excelsior College OWL\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/owl.excelsior.edu\/writing-process\/writing-process-overview\/writing-process-thinking-about-your-assignment\/\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"part":202,"module-header":"learn_it","content_attributions":[{"type":"original","description":"Starting a Paper","author":"","organization":"Lumen Learning","url":"","project":"","license":"cc-by","license_terms":""},{"type":"cc","description":"Image of Start","author":"Nick Farr","organization":"","url":"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/4hXr6Z","project":"","license":"cc-by","license_terms":""},{"type":"cc","description":"Thinking About Your Assignment","author":"","organization":"Excelsior College OWL","url":"https:\/\/owl.excelsior.edu\/writing-process\/writing-process-overview\/writing-process-thinking-about-your-assignment\/","project":"","license":"cc-by","license_terms":""}],"internal_book_links":[],"video_content":null,"cc_video_embed_content":{"cc_scripts":"","media_targets":[]},"try_it_collection":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/205"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/205\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3131,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/205\/revisions\/3131"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/202"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/205\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=205"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=205"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=205"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}