The Dos and Don'ts of Choosing a College Essay Topic
Choosing an essay topic can be a daunting task, whether your professor has a short list of topics to choose from or you'll think of one (for approval). It must not be lower than 2,000 words. Can you come up with that kind of paper? Can you beat the deadline? Can you persuade your professor? The answer is YES.
Paper writing is a life-or-death scenario for college students especially those who study literature. Life would revolve around it, and this could be complicated in the long run. (Think of the Joint Honors students, who must pen more essays than their Single Honors coursemates.) The right topic would enable you to have the job done in a few days (or less), but you don't have to brief a sigh of relief. You have extensive research to do, not to mention a reading list that must be finished in the shortest time possible. And proofreading may take some time. (Consider yourself lucky if a Grammar Nazi is living in the room beside yours.) You can worry about it later, as you must focus on your first step.
For every do, there will be a don't. Let's have a look at it.
Guidelines You Must Live By
Do: Choose a topic that can approximate the length of your paper
This seems to be a tricky task especially if you're familiar with the short list of topics (given by your professor). If you have read one of the titles (or most of it), then you don't have to think twice about it. If you're vaguely familiar with it, then ponder your next move. Will you have the time to read that book in its entirety? You don't have many idle moments, so you must prioritize your schedule if there's an urgent need to read the assigned text. If you have the option to choose a topic, then you'll come up with one after doing your (online research) for thirty minutes or less. Knowledge is the key here.
Don't: Never assume that more words would be better
If you don't know what you're writing about, then you'll end up wasting your professor's time. Think about your effort for naught.
Do: Make sure that you'll be able to analyze on your chosen topic
Your knowledge of the text may enable you to pen a thousand words in two hours or less, but all the work would be put to waste if you could only summarize the storyline. Quoting a few lines won't get you far. Recalling an adaptation of that text (in film or theater) may get you off the right track. You must have a general idea of the themes of the text. You must be able to understand the character's motives. (If you can't be perceptive enough, then try to draw parallels from your own experience.) Reading related features, such as historical events, would be a plus.
Don't: You must not be superficial, even judgmental of the story (or characters)
This is a scholarly exercise. It doesn't mean that you can't bare your feelings, but try to be respectful of the author's work.
Do: You should be able to find your materials quickly
Your professor may allow you to get off the hook if you falter in this task, but you won't get another chance. (And the secretary of the department won't sympathize with your predicament.) Resourcefulness will play a part here, so this might be the right time to be cheeky to older students. (If you have the habit of returning what you borrow from others, if not keep your word, then you have nothing to be anxious about.) Don't be hesitant to approach your tutor (or professor).
Don't: It's not right to rely on the Internet
If you have found the right sites, then you may have a good excuse. However, your coursemates may have done the same thing. In this regard, it won't be wise to discuss it.
Do: Be yourself
Don't worry about your awkward (writing) style. You're a work in progress, and you'll notice the improvement in a short time. If you keep your curious self, then there's no reason for your professor not to be pleased with what you have done.
Don't: Tooting your own horn would turn off your professor
Think of Dr. Alexander Murry in Madeleine L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time", who was sent on a mission to probe the theory on time and space. He would approach the project with a humble attitude, which saved him from being annihilated by a bodiless telepathic brain called IT. There's so much to learn, which can be a lifelong process. If you do your best (and show your genuine interest), then you'll do fine.
Do: Change the topic if it isn't working out
There are several reasons behind it, which should be valid if you're lagging behind your schedule. Tell your professor about your difficulty, which is affecting your focus. You can cite your lack of interest, but you should elaborate on it.
Don't: Jump off the ship when it's too late
You have made progress on the topic of your first choice until you change your mind. It's not only a foolish thing to do, but you'll also disappoint your professor. It's inconsiderate (to say the least).
Topic vs. Argument
Many students will assume that topic and argument are one and the same. One is different from the other; the topic is the main idea (of your essay) while the argument is your stance or view and how you assert it with information from different sources. Consider Hamlet's so-called lunacy and if this mental state would justify patricide. Look at Hester Prynne, and then compare the womenfolk during her time to the current generation. (Harvey Weinstein's case can make this topic more compelling than ever.)
Keep in mind that your selection of essay topic will reveal who you are and how you think about it. Your writing style will be another matter, though.
