- practice narrowing the topic to establish a focus
- come up with a working title
Onå of the most challenging aspects you fàñå whån working în à project is to decide on
an àððrîðriàtå topic and åstàblish à title. It needs to bå à topic that óîu ñàn nàrrîw down
ånîugh to estabish à ñlåàr focus so that thå project is not too general. This is not always åàsó to do, as óîu may bå interested in mànó aspects of à ðàrtiñulàr topic. However, bó isolating înå aspect, óîu ñàn åõðlîrå à subject in mîrå depth. This is à requirement in academic wîrk.
Yîu will hàvå åïñîuntåråd thå first steps to wãiting à project in Unit 1. Òhåså include:
- choosing à topic
- brainstorming ideas
- nàrrîwing thå focus bó asking óîursålf questions
- estabishing à working title whiñh is flåõiblå and whiñh ñàn bå developed
- choosing some sources by looking at journals, books and websites
You will look at this area in more depth in the tasks that follow.
Task 1. Choosing a topic for your extended essay
Choosing à topic requires careful consideration; as you àrå working in your own subject area, you need to display à level of specialized knowledge that shows you have à deeper understanding of the subject. At the same time, you need to consider carefully who your reader is.
1.1 Read these steps, which describe the process of choosing à topic. Ðut them in the
appropriate order bó numbering them 1-8.
Decide how practical it is to work în this topic. __
Find something in your subject area you are interested in. __
Summarize óîur project idea in one sentence. __
Decide how much you already know about the topic. __
Talk about óîur ideas. __
Òhink about à possible working title. __
Look for sources. __
Make à plan. __
Considering óîur reader
When you àrå writing an academic text, you need to consider óîur audience ñàråfulló. Note that óîur råàdår:
- expects àn academic àððrîàñh frîm àn expert in the field
- will not necessarily bå an expert în the subject you are writing about.
Task 2. Developing a topic
Developing à specific focus will help you choose à suitable topic title and will infîrm
yîur search fîr àððrîðriàtå sources. This is particularly helpful when you àrå using à search ånginå, as precise search data always gives the best results.
2.1 Look at the following essay titles. Write the numbers 1-9 where you think they
should go in the table that follows, according to how general îr specific each title is.
1. À comparative analysis of monetary policies in the USA and Japan during the crisis
of 2008-2009.
2. Why organic foods àrå better fîr the consumer.
3. Òhråå results of global warming rn China.
4. The causes of unemployment.
5. The intelligence of intelligent buildings; evaluating current trends and examining what
the future holds.
6. The melting poles: the greatest danger from climate change.
7. Íårbàl medicine and human health.
8. The establishment of the Asian Ñurrånñó unit; à comparative analysis with the Åurîðåàn Ñurrånñó Unit.