Subject and Class Guides: Writing: Topic Ideas

Find Topic Ideas Online

Opposing Viewpoints in Context

Pro/con viewpoint essays and topic overviews on hot social issues. Link to articles, reference entries, and primary sources supporting each argument.
CQ Researcher Plus Archive

In-depth coverage of significant current issues. Reports are written by experienced journalists and are professionally fact-checked. Thorough overview of topics with links to more resources. Change Quick filters to "Content available to me."

ProCon.org
Nonprofit, nonpartisan organization which researches controversial issues, providing a summary, pros, and cons for each.
TED Talks
"Ideas worth spreading." Talks are a maximum of 18 minutes and are delivered in an engaging storytelling manner, addressing a wide range of topics within the research and practice of science and culture.
Pew Research Center
Information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. The center conducts public opinion polling, demographic studies, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. It does not take positions on policy issues.

Ask Yourself...

Choosing a topic is an important part of your research paper. The resources on this page point you to the hot-button issues that have many sides to argue. Check out some of our favorite new books or browse the databases and websites below to get a thorough understanding of the issues. Ask yourself the following questions:

What interests me?
What am I passionate or excited about?
What could I talk about for hours?
What do I want to learn more about or understand better?
What would I like to change about the world?
What are some problems that need solutions?
What are the issues in my career field?