THESIS TOPIC

Narrowing down a topic for your senior thesis doesn't have to be difficult. These steps provide a guide.

Instructions

Step One

Thumb through your old class notes and textbooks for topics that grab you.

Step Two

Make a list of thesis topics.

Step Three

Eliminate topics based on such issues as level of interest (how excited do you get when you think about it?), practicality (too broad? too narrow?), and how significant a contribution it will make to your discipline.

Step Four

Go through the remaining thesis topics with as many people as you can, but at least with your department's academic advisors. They will help you eliminate more topics.

Step Five

Consult with fellow students as well; they'll offer not only great ideas, but also sympathy.

Step Six

Ask as many professors as possible what they know about work that's already been done on the thesis topics that remain.

Step Seven

Find this work, and see how similar or different it is from your own ideas. If it's too similar, you've just eliminated another possibility.

Step Eight

Choose whichever of the remaining topics interests you the most.

Step Nine

Keep in mind that your thesis topic is a work in progress, and allow yourself to be flexible. It's inevitable that some aspects of your topic will change as you progress in your research and writing.

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