Identify Your Topic Question
Once you've arrived at what you believe should be the focus of your essay, see if you can now phrase that focus in the form of a question.
Broad Topic: Transportation in lower Manhattan
Topic Question: How have the transportation needs in lower Manhattan been affected by the events of September 11, 2001?
Such a topic question would suffice for a short paper. For a longer essay, you might want to consider broadening the topic to first give some past history of the transportation needs (and shortages) in that area, then describe how those needs were affected by 9/11, and conclude with information about how those needs are being met and projections about what plans are underway to meet those needs in the future.
A topic question is important because it helps you:
Direct your research
Identify the method of analysis you'll use in your essay
Determine your thesis statement
Be sure to keep your topic question open-ended. A question that can be answered with a simple yes or no won't supply the direction you need to develop your thesis statement.
Relating Personal Experience and Learning to Your Essay
While it isn't necessary to write about only that which you know (read
Prior knowledge is also a plus, however. It means it'll take you less time to become informed about recent developments about the topic. When appropriate, it'll mean you can write about how your personal experience relates to the topic.
Brainstorm, Brainstorm, and Then Brainstorm Some More
Keep a notepad with you so you can jot down ideas as they occur to you. (This is good advice for any writer, although some carry a micro-cassette, PDA, or notebook computer with them for this purpose.) Also, bounce ideas off of others. Another person can often provide a fresh perspective, or suggest something that hadn't yet occurred to you.
In an essay, as in any form of writing, it's essential that you determine the audience for which you'll be writing. See Chapter 1 for more details.
