Often, one of the hardest things about academic writing is deciding what to write about. Unless you are given a predetermined question by your instructor, the topics that interest you may be too broad for a basic essay. How do you make the topic narrow enough to so that you can write about it in five pages? The easiest way is to think of subtopics within your main topic.

For example, if you want to write about the environment, you will have to narrow down your topic substantially. Just consider how many books have been written on this subject! It may be appropriate to think about the sub-elements within this topic. What makes up the environment? The environment includes water, air, land, people, and animals. Now that you have made a list of sub-elements, you can pick the one that interests you the most. Choosing a topic that interests you will make your essay easier to write.

Another way to determine what to write about is to consider your own interests and hobbies to see if they relate to a major topic. Perhaps you like to ride a bicycle. Determine a subtopic that will link these items together: the environment, air, and bicycles. You could explain to your reader how to save the world from air pollution by riding a bicycle instead of driving a car.

Although picking a hobby or interest that fits your essay is not always possible, it is definitely a good idea to think of sub-topics until you find one that is specific enough for an essay. If the topic is too broad, it becomes much more difficult to write a paper that is five pages (or less) in length.