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Questing for Topics: Where the Hell Is that Knight?!

by Tizian Overgoor

Congratulations! You have successfully entered the state program for self-loathing, procrastination and “Please, kill me now”-s. For the next years, you are to attend classes, suffer through lectures and, most importantly, die during examinations. And don’t get me started on the end boss, your B.A. thesis. Thankfully, there are a bunch of classes dedicated to teaching you how to write successfully. Still, they are not enough to grant you a spot on the good marks list. What students struggle most with is finding topics. But fret not, young Padawan, I have summed up a couple of helpful tricks on how to find one.

Let’s start with the most obvious one: a topic in class you particularly enjoyed. Papers are written in classes, meaning, the foundation is already set. For instance, you decide to write your paper in a class dealing with representations of feminist and queer approaches to literature, let’s say medieval literature (because, really, everything else just does not compare). So, your paper needs to address the overall theme of the course you registered for. Naturally, your lecturer chose a bunch of texts and theoretical frameworks specifically on this topic. Your job is now, to indicate which text you plan to work with and which theory or approach you wish to take. Your topic, in this case, is easily found. Pay close attention to class discussions. Most of my arguments for papers have evolved out of class discussions where ideas were challenged, debated, and slightly changed. Class discussions on texts you enjoyed are definitely worth partaking in. Do some research on texts you have enjoyed; you are bound to find some suggestions for topics.

The last method, which simultaneously is also the most frightening one: the talk with your supervisor (from here on out the talk). The talk will determine whether or not you are prepared for what is next on your journey to a paper. But fret not, the talk is meant to help. But caution is advised, only use this method as a last resort! Lecturers at HHU want you to enjoy the process of writing academic papers, so that you lose potential fears of facing the end boss. The worst-case scenario: the lecturer decides on a topic for you to write on. Do not worry, though. No lecturer wants to do the extra work of researching a suitable topic for you.

So, in summary, I strongly advise to think about potential topics during the term. Do some research before you talk to your lecturer. You need to talk to them at some point in time before registering, so make sure you are prepared. While writing, make sure your arguments have enough room to breathe. That means, go in depth and explore the argument made by you. The rest is up to you, young Padawan. May the Force be with you.

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