topic

Definition:

The particular issue or idea that serves as the subject of a paragraph, essay, report, or speech.

The primary topic of a paragraph may be expressed in a topic sentence. The main topic of an essay, report, or speech may be expressed in a thesis sentence.

Topic Suggestions:

• 400 Writing Topics: Topic Suggestions for Paragraphs and Essays
• 250 Topics for Familiar Essays
• 40 Topics for Descriptive Essays
• 50 Topics for Narrative Essays
• 50 Topics for Process Analysis Essays
• 40 Topics for Essays Developed With Examples
• 40 Topics for Comparison and Contrast Essays
• 30 Topics for Analogy Essays
• 50 Topics for Classification Essays
• 40 Topics for Cause and Effect Essays
• 60 Topics for Definition Essays
• 40 Topics for Argument and Persuasion Essays

See Also:

• Brainstorming
• Commonplace
• Discovery Strategies
• Freewriting
• Invention
• Listing
• Topoi
• What Is the List Trick?
• Where Do You Get Your Ideas?
• Writers on Writing: The Myth of Inspiration
• Writers on Writing: Overcoming Writer's Block

Etymology:

From the Greek, place

Observations:

• "Whether you are choosing from a list provided by your instructor or selecting your own, you should try to work with a topic that interests you and that you care about."
  (Robert DiYanni and Pat C. Hoy II, The Scribner Handbook for Writers. Allyn and Bacon, 2001)



• "Topics with a limited, or specific, scope are easier to explain carefully and in detail than topics that are vague, amorphous, or very broad. For example, general subjects such as mountains, automobiles, or music sound systems are so broad that it's hard to know where to begin. However, a specific aspect of sound systems, such as compact discs (CDs) is easier. Within the subject of CDs, of course, there are several topics as well (design, manufacturing process, cost, marketing, sound quality, comparison to tape and vinyl recordings, etc.)."
  (Toby Fulwiler and Alan R. Hayakawa, The Blair Handbook. Prentice Hall, 2003)

Pronunciation: TA-pik