HOW TO CHOOSE A TOPIC

Stephanie M. Tenazas

So you’ve been asked to write an article, but you have no idea what to write about. Or perhaps you’re discombobulated because you have a thousand topics on your mind but you just don’t know which one to single out. Well, here are some tips to help you in choosing a perfect topic:

• Get to know your readers. If you don’t know what to write about, the first thing you need to do is to analyze your readers. What demographic do they fall under? Do they belong to the 9-12 age group, or perhaps the 16-20? Should you consider economic status as a criterion? These questions will help you find out who will most probably be reading your write-up, and then you’ll find out what they want to read about. Once you’ve determined the kind of readers you’re aiming for, you can now proceed to the next tip.
• It pays to know what’s hot.  Remember that no matter how significantly enthralling your subject might seem for YOU, what’s most important is how much it appeals to OTHERS. There is absolutely no point in writing about your favorite rock band when most people don’t even know they exist, or much less how to correctly pronounce their name! Ask around, do a quick survey of your own, and bear in mind that being up-to-date with the current trends always works to your advantage.
• Choose topics you’re comfortable with. When brainstorming on different topics, prioritize the ones you’re most familiar and comfortable with – topics which are, well, let’s say- ”closer to your heart.” This way, you’ll find that writing about a familiar topic will come at ease given you have enough background to start with. Remember that knowing the basics is always a bonus.
• Narrow down the subject. Before things start to get messy, or before you start baffling yourself with questions like, “Should I include this?” or “ Maybe I should write about his family background too”, take a deep breath and chill! Don’t complicate things by snarling up all your ideas. Always narrow down your topic so as to avoid confusing yourself with your numerous thoughts. Simplicity is the key.
• Find out who your sources are and check accessibility. Before you finally decide on a topic to write about, learn to preempt your sources, because these people are the gateways to completing your article! Find out if they’re in town or if they’re too hard-pressed at work that it might be impossible to catch a quick interview. Just do your research.
• Google your topic and check for past issues. It’s always a bummer when you find out that you’re topic has already been written about – same source, same angle, same story! Don’t you agree? So before you even finalize on a topic to write about, check the web and see if it had already been written about before. If so, don’t stress yet! You can always find a fresh and more exciting angle, look for new sources, hence, a new and totally different story! This way, you have the power to create a story that’s even more captivating than the past issue, that your readers might even forget that the story had already come out before!
• Sometimes unusual means interesting. That’s right, sometimes what’s unorthodox may be what some people really want to learn more about. Sometimes it’s nice to be bold and daring when it comes to choosing a topic. And your readers will either hate it or love it. Make sure that no matter how unconventional you want your article to be, it has to be of benefit to others, in one way or another. Give it a good cause, and you’re sure to win the hearts of your readers.
• Attend forums. When you find yourself at a loss and just can’t think of the right topic to write about, why don’t you attend that forum you’re classmates have been talking about all week? You’ll learn new things and might even find that topic you’ve been looking for! You have nothing to lose but everything to gain.

Choosing a Topic

Hanna Marionne M. Caunda


Are you having trouble looking for a topic to write?
Here are some tips that will help you consider in choosing for a topic.

1. Topics you like or you are comfortable with.
Have you ever experienced staring at your blank laptop screen with absolutely nothing to write because the topic assigned to you is, sort of, out of place? Or have you experienced finding yourself typing into your laptop furiously because your brain is handling too many ideas you're afraid you might forget them?
As much as we, writers, understand our readers' interest and what is appealing to them, we also have to consider what is fascinating to us. It is not easy to write about a subject that is foreign or something that we know nothing about. It is always helpful to have stock knowledge of a certain topic. It's like having a common field of experience with your readers. The writer will be able to adjust to a certain angle of the story where both the writer and the reader will understand. If the source and the receiver do not have a common understanding of the topic, no communication will take place.

2. Know your readers.
Knowing your audience is still the best way to effective relate a message. Understanding the readers means you are giving life to them. When you identify who your audience are, you begin to think what language to use and being sensitive to touchy subjects.
Give demographics to your audience. Demographics is the general characteristics your audience share. For example, age, gender and economic status. Knowing this will greatly affect the way a writer relays his/her message. You're not going to use English language when your intended audience is below the poverty line and you're not going to use informal or street language when you're addressing to rich people. Before writing, always yourself who will read your article and for what purpose will it serve.

3. Find out what topics are already written.
Researching helps in many ways when writing an article. It can help you gain knowledge and information needed in your story. For example, the style, the format and the method. Researching can give ideas to improve and enhance an article or the researched article will serve as a guide. Also, it can help you avoid having the same approach of the same topic. For example, you decide to write an article about a cancer survivor, there are a lot stories about the said topic. Through reading and analyzing the styles of the previous writers, it can give ideas of how to quote or how to write a proper introduction. You can also compare your articles. But be careful not to commit plagiarism. Plagiarism is when you copy the works others and claim it as your own.

Considering the Source

May April Jimenea

Finalizing a Proposal on Considering the Source

Before deciding which topic you will choose on your proposal, you should consider your source. Here are some tips on considering your sources.

• Accessibility
  

The source should be accessible to you. You should have contact, numbers and addresses of your source. In this way, it will be easier for you.

• Availability

Consider your source's availability. If your choice of source is a prominent and busy person, take into consideration that your interview might be on a later date. Thus, it will be good for you to choose a source that is available.

• Number of Sources

You should also consider your number of sources. It is advisable to have two or more sources. There will always be a possibility that your first source will be unable to answer you or is unavailable, thus having a back up source will be convenient.

• Proximity

Not only should you think about your source but you should also think about yourself. It is true that the proximity or closeness of your source will affect you. It is more comfortable and convenient for you to choose a source that is closer to you.

I hope that these guidelines will help you in considering your sources.

How to narrow a topic and finalize a proposal

By Katreena M. Bisnar

Some people find it really difficult to ponder on possible topics that the readers would definitely want and enjoy reading. There are a lot of points to consider when you are in search of a subject to write about. Below is a list of suggestions.

Relevant Topics = Readability

It is always good to jot about something that is relevant to the audience. Write about a topic that people will find useful and easy to relate to. This will not only ensure readability but also make your write-up worth a reader's time and effort. Today, there is a broad horizon of topics and by just narrowing down to a single idea, you are now ready.

A topic as shoes may be general. However, you can narrow it down to a more specific area like a new line of eco-friendly sneakers made available by earth preservationists.

A reservoir of credible and accessible sources

For starting journalists, it is laborious to search for people to interview and quote. The single best thing is to gather topics that have the most reliable and approachable sources you know. The more sources you have, the more credible your article will be.

Also, you can always approach your subjects. Most often than not, they welcome and even provide generous help to writers who take interest in their field.

Zero in on striking angles

A general idea may be broken down into several topics. A writer must search for intriguing ones, those that will surely spark the interest of the readers. If you are confused with many striking angles, choose what you think is the best one.

Consult. Take counsel

Two heads are better than one. When in doubt, it is always good to listen to what others have to say. Your peers might dole out constructive criticisms or pieces of helpful advice to make your article better.

Peer critiquing and teacher-student consultations serve as fruitful venues among us, UP student journalists, to improve our craft.

Must be timely

Good topics are those that can update people with the latest in the world. It must be something that exists. The audience will definitely find it informative and sensible to read an article that discusses and relates to what is currently in the present.

People would find it worth their time to read an article about the recent proposal by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to add an additional year in college effective Academic Year 2009-2010, rather than read about a past issue that does not even create a stir in the present.

Settle for comfortable and easy topics

It is easy to write something that is close to your interests. Nothing is more convenient but to settle on subjects that you find easy and comfortable to write about. To know the nitty-gritty of your subject is a plus. It guides you on the right information to take note and reputable people to interview.

Following the Consultation Advices from Friends and People with Expertise when Writing Your Article

Anna Maria Victoria Lago

Writing is not just about writing what you want but writing something worthy for your readers. We may know what to write but sometimes it gets better when you get to read other people's blogs, articles or write ups. I write blogs a lot especially when I have much time to do so but I am a reader, too.

Asking for some help from others will not make you less of a writer. So, let me just give you guys some general tips on getting some good help from your friends who have much experienced in writing.

• Be a reader, not just a writer

  You get to know more about things when you get to read other people's articles. Follow the blogs of your friends who you know are good in writing and read the articles of your favorite writer and try to study their style and the things they write about.

• Take comments constructively.

  Anyone can read what you have written. Say for example, you write blogs. Writing blogs is a good stepping stone for you young writers who have not yet tried to write an article for a local daily. In your blogs, readers may give comments and they can be good or bad. Either way, you should take them constructively so you may be able to improve with your next blog.

• Consult and ask.

  Before writing, you research about your topic to know more about it. But it does not stop there. You may already know what you are about to write but you should also know how to make it more interesting. Ask someone you know who can help you. It's not something you should feel hesitant to do. If there is a consultation period given by your professor, take advantage of it and ask relevant questions to be more effective in writing. Ask tips from your friends who were already able to publish their write ups on a newspaper. If you are not sure about what you are writing, ask your friends their opinions about your draft.
  
  

Writing is not something you take for granted that writers want their articles to be great because readers don't read non-sense articles. You may be equipped theoretically and have studied all the techniques in writing but it does not make you the best writer. That's what your friends are here for - to help you and give you advices on things they have known and went through. You see, they will be the first people next to you when you get your first article published!

DECIDING WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT

Lord Lawrence Latonio ( group3 )

Some say writing is a talent. Others say its a a skill. But one thing is for sure, its hardest deciding what to write about.

I wanna write about this and that, but I don't know what to do. I don't even know where to start!

I took writing lessons, attended literary seminars, and joined journalistic workshops. Here's what I learned.

- INTEREST

What interests you is important. But, what's interesting is far more important. How do you know if something is interesting? Well, nothing really. As writers, we have the power to make ants huge, a statute talk, and the world smaller. We can sensationalize anything. We can make underdogs famous. We can even have the the minority's voice be heard. We decide what the world will think about. So, how is deciding what to write about difficult when you can write about anything? It is knowing its significance.

- NEWSWORTHINESS

When it matters, its newsworthy. Latest is always newsworthy. Health and environment is everybody's concern. Now, who doesn't talk about politics? Or celebrities? Everyone reads about things they are most likely to be affected with. Newsworthiness is measured by proximity, impact and freshness.

- PREPARATION

I already know what to write about! What do I do next? You read, research, interview, and even experience if necessary. Never write when you haven't read yet. Reading will equip you with ample knowledge on the subject you want to write about. And, knowledge gives you confidence. Actual people and actual experiences add credibility and real-life information to your article. This isn't easy. Your preparation depends on the topic you want to write about.

- ANGLE

We decide what the world will think about. Your angle is the soul of your article. This is your stand to an issue, your theme for a story, or your reason for writing it. Angle is subjective. It is affected by your interest, emotions, beliefs, values, and many more. Writing straight news is a different story. Objectivity and angling go together. Although we decide what the world will think about, its beyond our power to decide how the world will think.

- STYLE

It may be true that its beyond our power to decide how the world will think, but, I am pretty sure we can definitely influence their decisions. Here is where style comes in. When angle is the soul of your article, style is its life. How do you think Fallaci made almost all of Europe condemn Muslims? Style.

HOW TO CHOOSE A TOPIC TO WRITE ABOUT?

By: Joselito C. Manabat

What if your editor told you that you only have five minutes to write a topic after that your write up will no longer be accepted, what would you do? You'd type a little faster? What if you've nothing in mind to write about?

Choosing a topic to write about is one of the common problems among writers. If successful writers found it difficult for them to come up with one story, how much more the beginners? Yes it's true that we have a lot of topics to write about under the sun, yet sometimes we are confused on which one is the most striking and relevant to the readers. This could be because we have a hundred or even a thousand of topics in mind which requires a lot of pressures for us to decide as to which one is the best.

To help you choose a topic to write about, here are some tips:

1. KNOW THE KIND OF READERS YOU HAVE
The readers are known to be the consumers of your write ups. They are these people who expect for your proficiency in writing. They are these people who look into the accuracy of your information. Once they find satisfaction in the way you write your article they will become regular readers to your section. To become more effective to them, you really need to know their status. Here, you need to know even their way of living, age, language, culture and their literatures. The purpose of knowing this is for you to be able to communicate to them through your write ups.

2. ASK YOURSELF WHAT DO THE THINGS THAT MY AUDIENCES NEED TO KNOW
In asking questions to yourself, you will be able to formulate a start in your mind on what to write about for your audience. It will help you see what issues are worth discussing within your reach.

3. ASK FOR SUGGESTIONS FROM YOUR MENTOR
In here you need to consult your mentor and ask for his/her assessment about the topic. After knowing your mentor the information you have presented to him, he might be giving you a window to look up for you to start writing. Do not hesitate to ask for suggestions for these will help you organize your thoughts as well as these will help you write your article better.

4. WRITE A TOPIC OF INTEREST
After listening to many suggestions, you may now have to filter them. Ask yourself what fits you. This is where your interest comes in. Your interest will serve as your driving force for you to really finish your write up. Your interest will always go with your experiences which will help you write more intimately. Nothing beats this; in fact, most writers go for writing a topic that involves their interests. Without your interests, you will have the tendency to stop writing your article.

5. WRITING WHICH HAS PROXIMITY TO SOURCE
Sources as they are significant for the entirety of the story. They are the ones to supply the needed information. They are termed to be the experts. A writer cannot pursue his write up without them or else he will come up with a story which is plainly based on his own speculation. A writer cannot write without them. Not unless if he only write for an essay which needed only for himself as a source and a writer at the same time.

"A pen is a tongue of the mind", said Miguel de Cervantes. Yet what does a pen do if you have nothing in mind to write?

I hope that I had given you the tips even if it is simple yet it may somehow enlighten your minds. Go now and write!

How to Look for a Newsworthy Topic

by: Julie A. Nieva (Group 3)

Writing an interesting article is difficult. It takes a lot of courage to finish an interview and a lot of time to complete a composition.

If you are a beginner, writing a proposal is one of the best ways to guide you in the flow of your article. However, even coming up with a proposal has its own difficulties, one of which is looking for newsworthy topics.

To help you look for a topic that is worth reading by the public, here are a few guidelines.

• Brainstorm for ideas.

Thinking of only one topic is not advisable because sometimes, it can backfire (e.g. the source is not available). It is better to have many ideas as possible. Then, you can choose which among them is the best.

• Conduct a research.

It is essential to consider the type of stories that the readers want. After all, you are writing for them. Conducting a research can be done by asking questions, reading newspapers, and surfing the net.

• Look for something new and interesting.

After considering your thoughts and feelings of the readers, you should be able to think of a new angle to write your story. Readers don’t want to read topics that have been tackled over and over. The challenge here is for you see the beauty of an ordinary topic so that you can catch the attention and emotions of the readers. You should be creative in looking for an angle of the story.

• Check the availability of sources.

To avoid being biased, you should look for a topic that has a lot of people (at least three) to interview. Through this, you can further support your idea and you can present different sides of the story. In addition, there are some sources who are busy. Thus, it is advisable to check first if your source can be easily reached.

• Ask help from other people.

As cliché goes, “no man is an island.” Therefore, asking help from other people is not a bad idea. There are some who know what is interesting for the readers. They may suggest a story and may also introduce to you a possible source.

• Have faith in yourself.

Do not give up easily. There is no room for shyness in looking for a topic or in interviewing. You should learn to be open-minded. As a writer, you should have the courage to ask questions in order to clarify some points to make your topic more interesting. However, you should also make sure that your process in interviewing does not offend your interviewee.

• Avoid procrastination.

It is important to keep away from procrastinating. Never think that you have all the time in the world. You may suddenly realize that the deadline is fast approaching yet you still haven’t found a subject or you are still halfway in finishing your write-up. Be diligent in your work.

With these guidelines to help you, I hope you will be able to look for a newsworthy article. Always remember that being responsible, open-minded, patient, and having faith are among the characteristics that a writer should possess. After all, blessings don’t arrive in a snap; you have to work hard for it.

The Greater Possibility for the article to puBlished

by: Sheena A. Dabon (group 2)

Talk about taking risks, But hey! Why take the difficult road when you could go for the easier and safer one? As a writer, you should look at the better options, one of which is considering a section that would give a greater possibility for your article to be published. So what are the guidelines? Here are some:

1. Find a section that accepts contributors.
- If you are not an official writer of a publication, then this ought to be considered. In this rate, you can be sure that your article will be read or considered. Some of the most common sections that consider contributors are; Neighborhood and Feature sections.
2. Make sure your topic is interesting.
- Avoid topics that are common or are too specific to the point that no one else could relate to your article.
3. Relate Properly to your audience.
- Use simple terms. In this manner you can be sure that the readers can easily identify what you are talking about.
4. Create a proper query to the editor.
- If you want a bigger chance to be published, make sure that you write your letter to the editor properly. Be professional yet respectful and courteous.
5. Follow-up your query.
- You should always check on your queries, so as to make sure that your editor has received it. This also shows that you are really interested in having your article published.

How to finalize a proposal for a topic in an article considering enough sources to interview and easy research for facts and resources.

Jazzel O. Bajenting Group 3

• Consider the availability of the sources that you are going to interview. For instance, if your sources are busy especially if he or she is a politician then it would be hard to set an appointment with that person and so the proposal you have might be affected. That's why you have to consider your interviewee's time as much as possible.
  

• Anticipate your convenient time and also of your sources' free time. This is important but hard to find out. If both of you have different free time, then you would hardly meet and talk. Also, other activities could be sacrificed when there is really no chance for you to meet at each other's different convenient time.
  

• Consider the proximity of your sources. This is true, so that it would be easier for you to go to your interviewee's place and to avoid being late in an interview.

• Think if your sources are busy persons or not, so that you would have enough time to interview him or her. In finalizing your proposal, you should also consider the time of your sources so that it would be easier for you to interview him or her in the time you want to.
  

• Make sure that there are a couple of sources to interview in case the other sources are not available for a particular time. You should think of other sources to interview, so that when your interviewees are busy you still have a choice to interview another source or person.

• Think of a proposal which is quite easy to find for its facts and resources. It's important because you have to research a lot of facts about your proposal, and this will help you not to lose track when writing the article.

• Think of many possible ways to research for facts about your proposal. Do not stick to only one resources or facts, go and find more ways so that you will have a lot of choices to choose and to base from.