How to Find Topics for Mini Reports

Consider your research interests when choosing a topic for a mini report.

A good way to build your critical thinking skills is to write mini reports based on a text or a certain issue that you're passionate about. When preparing your report, you want to choose a topic that's interesting, unique and relevant to your readers. It's also a good idea to research what other authors wrote about your topic so you can develop a new angle. Finally, you should gather your research a few weeks ahead of time so you won't wait until the last minute to organize and write the report.

Instructions

1. Think about a subject you're interested. If you always wanted to learn more about gender roles among Native American families in the early 20th century, visit your library and start by getting some nonfiction books which pertain to Native American families in the 20th century.

2. Read articles in your local newspaper. For example, if you read an article which deals with a recent art exhibit about the Haitian Revolution but you don't know a lot about it, educate yourself by writing a mini report on this topic. Or if you see an article which deals with the lack of resources to help local public high students graduate, write a report which examines this problem and solutions to it.

3. Get inspiration from family and friends. If your grandparents were immigrants from Costa Rica, write a report about their journey to America and also discuss how their story fits in with America's long history of immigrants achieving a better quality of life. If your friend is a military veteran who struggles to find decent employment three years after returning home, write a report about the challenges veterans face when seeking employment.

References

• Colorado State University: Arriving at Topics for Writing Assignments
• Colorado State University: How Purpose and Audience Affect Writing Topic