A. STATE YOUR STRONGEST DEBATABLE TOPIC

  • Write: My most-likely academic major is _____________, and I plan to write my Synthesis Essay and Researched Argument on the debatable issue of _____________.

B. RANK CRITERIA FROM AN “A” TO “F” GRADE

  1. Is your topic debatable?
  2. Does your topic avoid being too cliché or too overwhelming?
  3. Does your topic avoid being too general?
  4. Is your topic researchable?
  5. Can you identify a call for action in your own argument (i.e. the argument in your Researched Argument essay)? Does it call for realistic social change?
  6. Are you interested in your topic? Will it assist your education and future career?

C. BRAINSTORM AND ANSWER

  • Based on your answers to these questions, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your topic at this point.
  • Brainstorm how you might modify your topic even further than you did earlier.