4 What Should I Write About?

What Should I Write About?

Many students tell themselves that they are bad at writing, but too often that conclusion is based on surface-level issues like grammar and punctuation. While mechanical errors matter, strong writing goes far beyond avoiding comma mistakes. A good writer is, first and foremost, a good thinker—but good thinking alone isn’t enough. You also need to communicate your ideas clearly, organize them effectively, and engage your reader. Writing is a skill that develops through practice, revision, and persistence. The goal of this course is not just to help you write better essays, but to help you become a stronger communicator overall.

Choosing a Meaningful Topic

The best writing comes from topics that genuinely interest you. If you’re invested in what you’re writing about, your engagement will come through, making your writing more compelling. Ask yourself:

• What topics do I find myself thinking or talking about often?
• What issues or questions do I feel strongly about?
• What confuses or challenges me that I’d like to explore further?

When you choose a topic that sparks curiosity or passion, the writing process becomes much more enjoyable and rewarding. However, one potential pitfall of writing about something you feel strongly about is the tendency to approach it with a closed mind. Strong writers don’t just argue their perspective—they engage critically with opposing viewpoints.

If you’re so invested in a topic that you can’t imagine changing your mind, that’s a sign to pause and ask:

• Am I willing to read and consider sources that challenge my perspective?
• Can I acknowledge valid counterarguments even if I don’t agree with them?
• Am I choosing this topic to explore a question or just to prove a point?

A meaningful topic should allow for exploration and discovery, not just reinforcement of what you already believe. If you find yourself dismissing sources without engaging with them, consider broadening or adjusting your topic to ensure you’re truly thinking critically rather than just defending a position.

Understanding the Assignment

One of the most common mistakes students make is not fully understanding what an assignment is asking them to do. Before settling on a topic, break down the prompt:

• What type of essay is required? (Argumentative, analytical, personal, research-based?)
• Are there any specific guidelines for scope, format, or sources?
• Does the assignment ask for personal opinion, factual reporting, or a combination?

If any part of the prompt is unclear, asking for clarification can save time and effort later.

Narrowing Your Focus

Many students start with topics that are too broad. For example, writing about “climate change” is overwhelming because it’s too big to cover in one essay. Instead, narrowing the focus to something like “how rising sea levels affect coastal communities” allows for a more specific, manageable discussion.

A good way to narrow your topic is to ask:

• Can I break this down into a smaller, more focused idea?
• What specific aspect of this topic interests me most?
• Is there a particular case study, time period, or perspective I want to explore?

Generating Ideas

If you’re struggling to choose a topic, try brainstorming techniques:

• Freewriting – Set a timer for five minutes and write nonstop about anything that comes to mind.
• Clustering (Mind Mapping) – Start with a broad idea and draw branches to related subtopics.
• Questioning – Ask yourself Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? about your topic.

These strategies can help you uncover ideas you might not have considered otherwise.

Connecting to Critical Thinking

Strong writing doesn’t just inform—it analyzes, evaluates, and synthesizes ideas. A good topic should invite critical thinking rather than just summary or description. Instead of simply reporting on an issue, ask:

• What patterns or connections exist within this topic?
• What different perspectives could I explore?
• What argument or insight can I contribute?

Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes