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Choosing a successful topic is essential to the success of the overall blog <ref group=>Carroll, p. 140</ref>. A topic expresses one essential idea within writing and ties together each successive post <ref group=>Loos</ref>. Topics can seem to confine creativity, however focus within a blog topic opens [http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/10/06/blogs-without-topics-are-a-waste-of-time/creative] possibilities. A focused topic encourages the audience to engage more actively and interact as a part of a blog [http://www.briangardner.com/niche-bloggingcommunity], ultimately enhancing the popularity of the blog. Creating a successful blog topic can take a significant amount of forethought and preparation through [[Brainstorming for Blogs]], [[Focusing the Niche]], [[Assessing the Idea]] and [[Finalizing the Topic]].
[[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==
Brainstorming transforms creativity into [http://library.deerfield.edu/research_guides/us_history/topic_worksheet.pdf  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<ref group=>Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"</ref>.


== Brainstorming for Blogs==
===Personalize It===
Brainstorming transforms creativity into [http://library.deerfield.edu/research_guides/us_history/topic_worksheet.pdf/organizational thought]. Individual brainstorming encourages writers to get out all of their ideas in order to focus and reorganize them into a cohesive concept through personalization and Brainstorming Methods<ref group=>Mind Tools Ltd.</ref>.
#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.
#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.


===Personalization===
===Use a Method===
Begin brainstorming by writing 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</ref> and your passions. In addition to personal interest, you must have experience in your topic ideas in order to establish a credibility in your writing. Consider your personal experiences and how they have shaped who you are and your writing style, as well as your qualifications. Most importantly, use your [http://www.unm.edu/~pre/law/archuleta.htm/personal character] 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 a relatable online personae, but will also help form a specific audience and blogging community.
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.


===Methods===
*Mind Mapping
With so many topic ideas, 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 effective parts.
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>.  


====Mind Mapping====
[[File:MindMap.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35| http://blog.iqmatrix.com/how-to-mind-map]]
The [http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_01.htm/Mind Mapping] 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</ref>. 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 topic ideas.


====Free Writing====
*Free Writing
[http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_01.htm/Free Writing] is another useful method, especially when facing the inevitable writer’s block, where writing starts and it does not stop. This method encourages continual thought, even through nonsensical ideas and pure imagination.  
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
Another great tool used in Brainstorming is [http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_01.htm/Thinking Outside the Box], or 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 bacteria 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.  
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.


==Focusing the Niche==
==Focus the Niche==
When a topic is narrowed and [http://litmuse.net/resources/digital-media/choosing-a-blog-topic/focused] into a niche, the writer can express more expertise on the subject, reach out to more people and essentially connect with like-minded people. In order to find your blog niche, focus on your blog’s purpose, differentiation and inspiration.
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.


===Purpose===
===Plan the Purpose===
Your blog’s [http://weblogs.about.com/od/startingablog/tp/Top-Ten-Reasons-to-Blog.htm/purpose] will help focus the [[Writing Style]] and [[Audience]] for your blog. Your purpose for your blog could be to educate yourself, educate others, research a particular topic, or learn through communicative discussion and debate. Your purpose for your blog may be to help other people with similar problems, convince others to support a particular cause, or even promote a particular cause. Your purpose for your blog could also be to network and connect with like-minded people, establish your profession, make a type of portfolio for yourself, or even simply for profitability.
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 others
* [[Research Methods|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


===Differentiation===
===Differentiate the Topic===
Another aspect that will help narrow your topic is to decide how you will differentiate it from other similar blogs through your personality, a different perspective or identifying an untouched idea. Use your personal experiences and personality traits to tailor the topic in a way that will allow you to express yourself. If you consider yourself a comedian, narrow your topic in a way that you can express your comedic side. If you are analytical, narrow your topic so that you can use that to your advantage. Using different perspectives can help narrow your topic greatly. This may include [http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/brainstorming/journalistic perspectives], such as Who? What? Where? When? Why?  questions, or simply narrowing the topic through geographical topics<ref group=>Lucas</ref>. If there are specific areas of interest that most similar blogs are deficient in or have not yet explored, use this information to narrow your topic and make your blog topic original.  
Another aspect to consider in narrowing your topic is how you will differentiate it from similar blogs.


===Inspiration===
# 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.
Considering your inspirations for your blog topic can assist when further focusing the topic. These inspirations could include other blogs that discuss a similar topic, different articles and research resources related to your potential topic and most importantly your personal experiences.  
#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.


==Assessing the Idea==
===Look for Inspiration===
Once the blog topic idea is focused, assess the popularity and originality of the idea.
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


===Popularity===
==Assess the Idea==
When assessing the [http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/15/how-to-choose-a-niche-topic-for-your-blog/popularity] of the topic idea, discover other blogs with similar ideas and view 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 view comments and the popularity of the books. Another great tool to research the popularity of the topic is to use the [http://boostblogtraffic.com/blog-topic/“For Dummies”] test. Try to find a book in the [http://www.dummies.com/“For Dummies”] book brand in your topic. If there is a Your Topic For Dummies, the topic is already popular and is a great idea to begin your blog topic.  
Once a blog topic idea is identified, assess the popularity and originality of the idea to be certain of its effectiveness.  


===Originality===
===Ensure the Popularity===
Though the idea may be popular, ensuring the originality of the idea will ultimately set yourself up for success. Make sure that your topic idea is creative and unique from other blogs with similar topics. Finding an unexpected aspect of the topic idea will give you a fresh and energizing niche. In addition, presenting an intriguing viewpoint can reinvent a popular topic idea.
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.
 
===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==
==Finalizing the Topic==
Once your blog topic is ensured for success through focus and assessment, the topic is ready for finalization of the topic title or subtitle.  
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===
===Creating the Title===
The [http://jesslively.com/how-to-choose-blog-topics/topic title] or subtitle should be explanatory and easily readable. The viewer should understand the topic idea simply through the title. The narrative of the topic is also essential to 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 viewpoints into the blog, while a third person “Discover a Passion” leads to the intention of education and expertise. Lastly, the title and subtitle should have an angle, whether this be something memorable, catchy or fun.
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 [http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/newsletters/how-to-choose-the-right-blog-topic/getting started]. Topic ideas may not seem perfect until you begin brainstorming and expressing your ideas. Most importantly, use your first instinct to organize and focus your topic idea.  
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.  
 
 
 
== External Links ==
[http://www.briangardner.com/niche-blogging/community]


[http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/10/06/blogs-without-topics-are-a-waste-of-time/creative possibilities]


[http://library.deerfield.edu/research_guides/us_history/topic_worksheet.pdf/organizational thought]


[http://litmuse.net/resources/digital-media/choosing-a-blog-topic/“something that helps define your personality”]
[http://www.unm.edu/~pre/law/archuleta.htm/personal character]
[http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_01.htm/Mind Mapping]
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_concept_mapping_and_mind_mapping_software/method]
[http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_01.htm/Free Writing]
[http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_01.htm/Thinking Outside the Box]
[http://litmuse.net/resources/digital-media/choosing-a-blog-topic/focused]
[http://weblogs.about.com/od/startingablog/tp/Top-Ten-Reasons-to-Blog.htm/purpose]
[http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/brainstorming/journalistic perspectives]
[http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/15/how-to-choose-a-niche-topic-for-your-blog/popularity]
[http://www.amazon.com/Amazon]
[http://www.barnesandnoble.com/Barnes and Noble]
[http://boostblogtraffic.com/blog-topic/“For Dummies”]
[http://www.dummies.com/“For Dummies”]
[http://jesslively.com/how-to-choose-blog-topics/topic title]
[http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/newsletters/how-to-choose-the-right-blog-topic/getting started]


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
Line 96: Line 92:


== References  ==
== References  ==
*Carroll, Brian. "Writing for Digital Media." Routledge; New York, 2010.  
#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.
*Loos, Eugene E. [http://www-01.sil.org/linguistics/GlossaryOfLinguisticTerms/WhatIsATopic.htm] ''What is a topic?'' 2004. Web. April 5, 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.  
*Mind Tools Ltd. [http://www.mindtools.com/brainstm.html] ''Brainstorming.''2013. Web. March 31, 2013.
#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.
*The Writing Center. [http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/brainstorming/] "Brainstorming." 2013. Web. March 31, 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.
*Lucas, Gerald. [http://litmuse.net/resources/digital-media/choosing-a-blog-topic/]. "Choosing a blog topic." 2013. Web. March 29, 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

Home

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 [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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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].

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
http://blog.iqmatrix.com/how-to-mind-map
  • 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.

  1. 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.
  2. Use different perspectives, such as journalistic perspectives[15] and geographical references[16].
  3. 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

  1. Search for blogs with similar ideas and investigate their popularity.
  2. 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.
  3. 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:

  1. Is your topic idea creative and unique enough to set itself apart from other blogs with similar themes?
  2. Is it an unexplored aspect of the overall topic that will give you a fresh and energizing niche?
  3. 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

  1. ↑ Carroll, 140
  2. ↑ Rehner, "Choosing Your Blog Topic"
  3. ↑ Loos, "What is a Topic?"
  4. ↑ Trunk, "Blogs Without Topics are a Waste of Time"
  5. ↑ Gardner,"Niche Blogging"
  6. ↑ Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"
  7. ↑ Lucas, "Choosing a blog topic"
  8. ↑ Archuleta, "How to Write a Personal Statement"
  9. ↑ Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"
  10. ↑ The Writing Center, "Brainstorming"
  11. ↑ Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"
  12. ↑ Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"
  13. ↑ Lucas, "Choosing a blog topic"
  14. ↑ Gunelius, "Top 10 Reasons to Start a Blog"
  15. ↑ The Writing Center, "Brainstorming"
  16. ↑ Lucas, "Choosing a blog topic"
  17. ↑ Rowse, "How to Choose a Niche Topic for your Blog"
  18. ↑ Morrow, "21 Warning Signs"
  19. ↑ Lively, "How to Choose Blog Topics"
  20. ↑ Starak, "How to Choose the Right Blog Topic"

References

  1. 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.
  2. Carroll, Brian. "Writing for Digital Media." Routledge; New York, 2010.
  3. 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.
  4. Gunelius, Susan. "Start a Blog-Top 10 Reasons to Start a Blog." About.com Blogging. N.p., 2013. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
  5. Lively, Jess. "How to Choose Blog Topics." Jess Lively. N.p., 5 Feb. 2013. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
  6. Loos, Eugene E. "What is a Topic?" 2004. Web. April 5, 2013.
  7. Lucas, Gerald. "Choosing a blog topic." 2013. Web. March 29, 2013.
  8. Mind Tools Ltd. "Brainstorming" 2013. Web. March 31, 2013.
  9. 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.
  10. Rehner, Amy. "Choosing Your Blog Topic." March 2013. Web. March 29, 2013.
  11. Rowse, Darren. "How to Choose a Niche Topic for your Blog." Blogging for Beginners. N.p., 15 Feb. 2006. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
  12. Starak, Yaro. "How to Choose the Right Blog Topic." Blog Tips Newsletter. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
  13. The Writing Center. "Brainstorming" 2013. Web. March 31, 2013.
  14. 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.

See Also

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