Choosing Your Topic: Difference between revisions
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[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]] | |||
[[File:Technology-blogs.png|thumb|upright=3| There are a vast number of viable blog topics available for students.]] | |||
Choosing a worthy topic is essential to the overall success of a blog <ref group=>Carroll, 140</ref><ref group=>Rehner, "Choosing Your Blog Topic"</ref>. A focused topic expresses a central idea and unifies each successive post <ref group=>Loos, "What is a Topic?"</ref>. At first, a specific topic may seem to confine creativity, but focusing the topic actually provides endless creative possibilities <ref group=>Trunk, "Blogs Without Topics are a Waste of Time"</ref>. A focused topic encourages the audience to engage more actively and interact as a part of a blog community <ref group=>Gardner,"Niche Blogging"</ref>, ultimately enhancing the popularity of the blog. Creating a successful blog topic can take a significant amount of forethought and preparation and encompasses brainstorming, focus, assessment, and finalization. | |||
== Brainstorm== | == Brainstorm== | ||
| Line 7: | Line 9: | ||
===Personalize It=== | ===Personalize It=== | ||
#Write down personal interests, dislikes, and topics that appeal to you. With a little introspection you can analyze and learn about yourself, your disciplines or “something that helps define your personality” <ref group=>Lucas, "Choosing a blog topic"</ref> and your passions. | #Write down personal interests, dislikes, and topics that appeal to you. With a little introspection you can analyze and learn about yourself, your disciplines or “something that helps define your personality” <ref group=>Lucas, "Choosing a blog topic"</ref> and your passions. | ||
#Make sure you must have experience involving your topic ideas in order to establish credibility within your writing. Consider your personal experiences and how they have shaped who you are and your writing style, your opinions as well as your qualifications. | #Make sure you must have experience involving your topic ideas in order to establish credibility within your writing. Consider your personal experiences and how they have shaped who you are and your writing style, your opinions, as well as your qualifications. | ||
#Use your | #Use your personal character <ref group=>Archuleta, "How to Write a Personal Statement"</ref> to your advantage when brainstorming in order to allow the audience to understand a little more about you. This transparency will not only make you relatable online, but will also help identify your specific [[Audience]] and blogging community. | ||
===Use a Method=== | ===Use a Method=== | ||
| Line 14: | Line 16: | ||
*Mind Mapping | *Mind Mapping | ||
This [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_concept_mapping_and_mind_mapping_software method] begins with a central idea and builds outward, incorporating all possible related topic ideas. The | This [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_concept_mapping_and_mind_mapping_software method] begins with a central idea and builds outward, incorporating all possible related topic ideas. The Mind Mapping <ref group=>Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"</ref> Method encourages you to “get out of the realm of words alone and see how different spatial representations might help you see the relationships among your ideas" <ref group=>The Writing Center, "Brainstorming"</ref>. | ||
[[File:MindMap.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35| http://blog.iqmatrix.com/how-to-mind-map]] | [[File:MindMap.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35| http://blog.iqmatrix.com/how-to-mind-map]] | ||
*Free Writing | *Free Writing | ||
Free Writing <ref group=>Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"</ref> is another useful method, especially when facing writer’s block, where writing starts and it does not stop. This method encourages continual thought through nonsensical ideas and pure imagination. | |||
*Thinking Outside the Box | *Thinking Outside the Box | ||
Thinking Outside the Box <ref group=>Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"</ref> is a technique where you try to understand a concept from a different perspective and then relate it back to your initial idea. For example, imagine for a moment that you are writing about your own culture. Think of all the different possible meanings for culture, such as a bacterial culture or referring to a refined group of people, and try to relate those concepts back to your original topic. Often, this method gives you a different perspective than you may have originally identified. | |||
==Focus the Niche== | ==Focus the Niche== | ||
When a topic is narrowed and | When a topic is narrowed and focused<ref group=>Lucas, "Choosing a blog topic"</ref> into a niche, the writer can express more expertise on the subject, connect with more readers and, essentially, attract like-minded people. In order to find your blog niche, focus on your blog’s purpose, differentiation and inspiration. | ||
===Plan the Purpose=== | ===Plan the Purpose=== | ||
Your blog’s | Your blog’s purpose<ref group=>Gunelius, "Top 10 Reasons to Start a Blog"</ref> should focus the [[Readability|Writing Style]] of the blog subsequently helping to identify your [[Audience]]. Some purposes might include the following: | ||
* Educate yourself | * Educate yourself | ||
* Educate others | * Educate others | ||
* Research a particular topic | * [[Research Methods|Research]] a particular topic | ||
* Learn through communicative discussion and debate | * Learn through communicative discussion and debate | ||
* Help other people with similar problems | * Help other people with similar problems | ||
| Line 44: | Line 46: | ||
# Use your personal experiences and character traits to tailor the topic in a way that allows you to express yourself. If you consider yourself a comedian, narrow your topic to express your comedic side. Or, if you are the analytical type, focus your topic so that others can sense that quality within your blog title. | # Use your personal experiences and character traits to tailor the topic in a way that allows you to express yourself. If you consider yourself a comedian, narrow your topic to express your comedic side. Or, if you are the analytical type, focus your topic so that others can sense that quality within your blog title. | ||
#Use different perspectives, such as | #Use different perspectives, such as journalistic perspectives<ref group=>The Writing Center, "Brainstorming"</ref> and geographical references<ref group=>Lucas, "Choosing a blog topic"</ref>. | ||
#Identify a virginal idea or an area of interest where there is a blog deficit. | #Identify a virginal idea or an area of interest where there is a blog deficit. | ||
| Line 51: | Line 53: | ||
*Other blogs | *Other blogs | ||
*Articles | *Articles | ||
*Research | *Research | ||
*Personal experiences | *Personal experiences | ||
== | ==Assess the Idea== | ||
Once a blog topic idea is identified, assess the popularity and originality of the idea to be certain of its effectiveness. | Once a blog topic idea is identified, assess the popularity and originality of the idea to be certain of its effectiveness. | ||
===Popularity=== | ===Ensure the Popularity=== | ||
There are several ways to assess the potential popularity <ref group=>Rowse, "How to Choose a Niche Topic for your Blog"</ref>of the topic idea | |||
# Search for blogs with similar ideas and investigate their popularity. | |||
# Look up books or journal articles with similar topics in online stores, such as [http://www.amazon.com Amazon] or [http://www.barnesandnoble.com Barnes and Noble] and assess the comments and overall popularity of the books. | |||
# Use the “For Dummies” test <ref group=>Morrow, "21 Warning Signs"</ref>. Try to find a reference for your topic in the [http://www.dummies.com “For Dummies” book brand]. If such a book exists, the topic is already popular and is a great place to begin your blog topic search. | |||
===Originality=== | ===Ensure the Originality=== | ||
Though the idea may be popular, ensuring the originality of the idea will be an important aspect of your topic choice that will ultimately mean success or failure. | Though the idea may be popular, ensuring the originality of the idea will be an important aspect of your topic choice that will ultimately mean success or failure. Ask yourself the following questions: | ||
# Is your topic idea creative and unique enough to set itself apart from other blogs with similar themes? | |||
# Is it an unexplored aspect of the overall topic that will give you a fresh and energizing niche? | |||
# Does it present an intriguing or contradictory viewpoint can reinvent an overexposed topic idea? | |||
==Finalizing the Topic== | ==Finalizing the Topic== | ||
| Line 67: | Line 75: | ||
===Creating the Title=== | ===Creating the Title=== | ||
When creating the topic title <ref group=>Lively, "How to Choose Blog Topics"</ref> or [[Headers and Sub-headers|subtitle]] ask the following questions: | |||
*Is the title overt and easily readable? | |||
*Can the viewer quickly grasp the topic idea by simply reading the title? | |||
*Does the narrative of the topic match the title’s observable intent? | |||
**A first person narrative suggests sharing your personal views while a third person narrative suggests a more educational and professional approach. For example, adding the first person –ing to the beginning of the title “Discovering a Passion” gives the reader the impression that the writer will incorporate personal experiences and opinions into the blog, while the third person “Discover a Passion” suggests the blog’s intent is to educate through expertise. | |||
*Does the title and subtitle have an angle? Is the angle something memorable, catchy, or fun? | |||
=Get Started= | =Get Started= | ||
The hardest part of choosing your blog topic is the act of | The hardest part of choosing your blog topic is the act of getting started <ref group=>Starak, "How to Choose the Right Blog Topic"</ref>. Topic ideas may not seem perfect until you begin brainstorming and expressing your ideas. Most importantly, use your instincts, interests, and personality to organize and focus your topic idea. | ||
| Line 79: | Line 92: | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
#Archuleta, Elizabeth. [http://www.unm.edu/~pre/law/archuleta.htm "How to Write a Personal Statement."] UNM - New Mexico's Flagship University | The University of New Mexico. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. | |||
#Carroll, Brian. [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/041599201X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=humanindex-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=041599201X "Writing for Digital Media."] Routledge; New York, 2010. | |||
#Gardner, Brian. [http://www.briangardner.com/niche-blogging "Why Niche Blogging is Better than General Blogging."] Brian Gardner // Starbucks Addict Since 1974. N.p., 7 Mar. 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. | |||
#Gunelius, Susan. [http://weblogs.about.com/od/startingablog/tp/Top-Ten-Reasons-to-Blog.htm "Start a Blog-Top 10 Reasons to Start a Blog."] About.com Blogging. N.p., 2013. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. | |||
#Lively, Jess. [http://jesslively.com/how-to-choose-blog-topics/ "How to Choose Blog Topics."] Jess Lively. N.p., 5 Feb. 2013. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. | |||
#Loos, Eugene E. [http://www-01.sil.org/linguistics/GlossaryOfLinguisticTerms/WhatIsATopic.htm "What is a Topic?" ] 2004. Web. April 5, 2013. | |||
#Lucas, Gerald. [http://litmuse.net/resources/digital-media/choosing-a-blog-topic/ "Choosing a blog topic."] 2013. Web. March 29, 2013. | |||
#Mind Tools Ltd. [http://www.mindtools.com/brainstm.html "Brainstorming" ] 2013. Web. March 31, 2013. | |||
#Morrow, Jon. [http://boostblogtraffic.com/blog-topic/ "21 Warning Signs You Chose the Wrong Topic for Your Blog."] Boost Blog Traffic. N.p., 13 Apr. 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. | |||
#Rehner, Amy. [http://choosingatopic.wordpress.com "Choosing Your Blog Topic."] March 2013. Web. March 29, 2013. | |||
#Rowse, Darren. [http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/15/how-to-choose-a-niche-topic-for-your-blog/ "How to Choose a Niche Topic for your Blog."] Blogging for Beginners. N.p., 15 Feb. 2006. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. | |||
#Starak, Yaro. [http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/newsletters/how-to-choose-the-right-blog-topic "How to Choose the Right Blog Topic."] Blog Tips Newsletter. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. | |||
#The Writing Center. [http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/brainstorming/ "Brainstorming"] 2013. Web. March 31, 2013. | |||
#Trunk, Penelope. [http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/10/06/blogs-without-topics-are-a-waste-of-time/ "Blogs without topics are a waste of time | Penelope Trunk Blog."] Get Career Advice from Penelope Trunk. N.p., 6 Oct. 2009. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. | |||
==See Also== | |||
*[[Narrowcasting]] | |||
*[[Research Methods]] | |||
*[[Participation]] | |||
*[[Audience]] | |||
[[Category:New Media]] | |||
Latest revision as of 18:23, 3 May 2013
Choosing a worthy topic is essential to the overall success of a blog [1][2]. A focused topic expresses a central idea and unifies each successive post [3]. At first, a specific topic may seem to confine creativity, but focusing the topic actually provides endless creative possibilities [4]. A focused topic encourages the audience to engage more actively and interact as a part of a blog community [5], ultimately enhancing the popularity of the blog. Creating a successful blog topic can take a significant amount of forethought and preparation and encompasses brainstorming, focus, assessment, and finalization.
Brainstorm
Brainstorming transforms creativity into organizational thought. Individual brainstorming encourages writers to pour out their ideas in order to focus and reorganize them into a cohesive concept through personalization and brainstorming methods[6].
Personalize It
- Write down personal interests, dislikes, and topics that appeal to you. With a little introspection you can analyze and learn about yourself, your disciplines or “something that helps define your personality” [7] and your passions.
- Make sure you must have experience involving your topic ideas in order to establish credibility within your writing. Consider your personal experiences and how they have shaped who you are and your writing style, your opinions, as well as your qualifications.
- Use your personal character [8] to your advantage when brainstorming in order to allow the audience to understand a little more about you. This transparency will not only make you relatable online, but will also help identify your specific Audience and blogging community.
Use a Method
With so many possible topics to consider, it may be beneficial to use brainstorming methods in order to produce an organized and manageable view of your ideas. These methods allow you to break down unmanageable and overwhelming ideas into their essential parts.
- Mind Mapping
This method begins with a central idea and builds outward, incorporating all possible related topic ideas. The Mind Mapping [9] Method encourages you to “get out of the realm of words alone and see how different spatial representations might help you see the relationships among your ideas" [10].
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- Free Writing
Free Writing [11] is another useful method, especially when facing writer’s block, where writing starts and it does not stop. This method encourages continual thought through nonsensical ideas and pure imagination.
- Thinking Outside the Box
Thinking Outside the Box [12] is a technique where you try to understand a concept from a different perspective and then relate it back to your initial idea. For example, imagine for a moment that you are writing about your own culture. Think of all the different possible meanings for culture, such as a bacterial culture or referring to a refined group of people, and try to relate those concepts back to your original topic. Often, this method gives you a different perspective than you may have originally identified.
Focus the Niche
When a topic is narrowed and focused[13] into a niche, the writer can express more expertise on the subject, connect with more readers and, essentially, attract like-minded people. In order to find your blog niche, focus on your blog’s purpose, differentiation and inspiration.
Plan the Purpose
Your blog’s purpose[14] should focus the Writing Style of the blog subsequently helping to identify your Audience. Some purposes might include the following:
- Educate yourself
- Educate others
- Research a particular topic
- Learn through communicative discussion and debate
- Help other people with similar problems
- Convince others to support a particular cause
- Promote a particular cause
- Network with like-minded people
- Establish yourself within your profession
- Earn a profit
Differentiate the Topic
Another aspect to consider in narrowing your topic is how you will differentiate it from similar blogs.
- Use your personal experiences and character traits to tailor the topic in a way that allows you to express yourself. If you consider yourself a comedian, narrow your topic to express your comedic side. Or, if you are the analytical type, focus your topic so that others can sense that quality within your blog title.
- Use different perspectives, such as journalistic perspectives[15] and geographical references[16].
- Identify a virginal idea or an area of interest where there is a blog deficit.
Look for Inspiration
Considering your inspirations for your blog topic can assist when further focusing the topic. These inspirations could include the following:
- Other blogs
- Articles
- Research
- Personal experiences
Assess the Idea
Once a blog topic idea is identified, assess the popularity and originality of the idea to be certain of its effectiveness.
Ensure the Popularity
There are several ways to assess the potential popularity [17]of the topic idea
- Search for blogs with similar ideas and investigate their popularity.
- Look up books or journal articles with similar topics in online stores, such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble and assess the comments and overall popularity of the books.
- Use the “For Dummies” test [18]. Try to find a reference for your topic in the “For Dummies” book brand. If such a book exists, the topic is already popular and is a great place to begin your blog topic search.
Ensure the Originality
Though the idea may be popular, ensuring the originality of the idea will be an important aspect of your topic choice that will ultimately mean success or failure. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is your topic idea creative and unique enough to set itself apart from other blogs with similar themes?
- Is it an unexplored aspect of the overall topic that will give you a fresh and energizing niche?
- Does it present an intriguing or contradictory viewpoint can reinvent an overexposed topic idea?
Finalizing the Topic
Once you’ve ensured success in choosing an interesting blog topic through focus and assessment, the topic is ready for finalization, requiring a topic title and possibly a subtitle.
Creating the Title
When creating the topic title [19] or subtitle ask the following questions:
- Is the title overt and easily readable?
- Can the viewer quickly grasp the topic idea by simply reading the title?
- Does the narrative of the topic match the title’s observable intent?
- A first person narrative suggests sharing your personal views while a third person narrative suggests a more educational and professional approach. For example, adding the first person –ing to the beginning of the title “Discovering a Passion” gives the reader the impression that the writer will incorporate personal experiences and opinions into the blog, while the third person “Discover a Passion” suggests the blog’s intent is to educate through expertise.
- Does the title and subtitle have an angle? Is the angle something memorable, catchy, or fun?
Get Started
The hardest part of choosing your blog topic is the act of getting started [20]. Topic ideas may not seem perfect until you begin brainstorming and expressing your ideas. Most importantly, use your instincts, interests, and personality to organize and focus your topic idea.
Notes
- ↑ Carroll, 140
- ↑ Rehner, "Choosing Your Blog Topic"
- ↑ Loos, "What is a Topic?"
- ↑ Trunk, "Blogs Without Topics are a Waste of Time"
- ↑ Gardner,"Niche Blogging"
- ↑ Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"
- ↑ Lucas, "Choosing a blog topic"
- ↑ Archuleta, "How to Write a Personal Statement"
- ↑ Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"
- ↑ The Writing Center, "Brainstorming"
- ↑ Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"
- ↑ Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"
- ↑ Lucas, "Choosing a blog topic"
- ↑ Gunelius, "Top 10 Reasons to Start a Blog"
- ↑ The Writing Center, "Brainstorming"
- ↑ Lucas, "Choosing a blog topic"
- ↑ Rowse, "How to Choose a Niche Topic for your Blog"
- ↑ Morrow, "21 Warning Signs"
- ↑ Lively, "How to Choose Blog Topics"
- ↑ Starak, "How to Choose the Right Blog Topic"
References
- Archuleta, Elizabeth. "How to Write a Personal Statement." UNM - New Mexico's Flagship University | The University of New Mexico. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
- Carroll, Brian. "Writing for Digital Media." Routledge; New York, 2010.
- Gardner, Brian. "Why Niche Blogging is Better than General Blogging." Brian Gardner // Starbucks Addict Since 1974. N.p., 7 Mar. 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
- Gunelius, Susan. "Start a Blog-Top 10 Reasons to Start a Blog." About.com Blogging. N.p., 2013. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
- Lively, Jess. "How to Choose Blog Topics." Jess Lively. N.p., 5 Feb. 2013. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
- Loos, Eugene E. "What is a Topic?" 2004. Web. April 5, 2013.
- Lucas, Gerald. "Choosing a blog topic." 2013. Web. March 29, 2013.
- Mind Tools Ltd. "Brainstorming" 2013. Web. March 31, 2013.
- Morrow, Jon. "21 Warning Signs You Chose the Wrong Topic for Your Blog." Boost Blog Traffic. N.p., 13 Apr. 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
- Rehner, Amy. "Choosing Your Blog Topic." March 2013. Web. March 29, 2013.
- Rowse, Darren. "How to Choose a Niche Topic for your Blog." Blogging for Beginners. N.p., 15 Feb. 2006. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
- Starak, Yaro. "How to Choose the Right Blog Topic." Blog Tips Newsletter. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
- The Writing Center. "Brainstorming" 2013. Web. March 31, 2013.
- Trunk, Penelope. "Blogs without topics are a waste of time | Penelope Trunk Blog." Get Career Advice from Penelope Trunk. N.p., 6 Oct. 2009. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.