{"id":9230,"date":"2025-11-20T12:21:44","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T11:21:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/?post_type=artikel&#038;p=9230"},"modified":"2026-08-19T16:39:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T14:39:05","slug":"how-to-find-formulate-and-narrow-down-your-topic","status":"publish","type":"artikel","link":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/how-to-find-formulate-and-narrow-down-your-topic\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find, Formulate, and Narrow Down Your Topic"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ein-thema-finden\" class=\"headline has-icon\">\n<div class=\"icon\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment-small size-small\" src=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/handmitstiftblau.png\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/handmitstiftblau.png 1500w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/handmitstiftblau-1024x900.png 1024w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/handmitstiftblau-1456x1280.png 1456w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/handmitstiftblau-768x675.png 768w\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1319\" \/><\/div>\n<h2>Finding a topic<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p>If you are still at the very beginning of finding a topic for your academic paper, think about which subjects from your studies you would like to explore further, which career you would like to pursue, or which issues you care about. You can also use techniques such as <a href=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/using-freewriting\/\">Freewriting<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/creating-a-cluster\/\">Clustering<\/a>. As soon as topics emerge that genuinely interest you, you should proceed more systematically to be able to decide on one of them.<\/p>\n<p>To do so, you can use the following questions. Try to answer the questions in the table below for each topic that interests you. At this stage of your academic work, it is normal that you cannot yet answer all questions.<\/p>\n<p><b>You will quickly notice:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What genuinely interests you<\/li>\n<li>What is feasible<\/li>\n<li>What you need to narrow down further<\/li>\n<li>Where you need to investigate further<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"zitat merksatz\">\n<div class=\"icon\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/einausrufezeichengruen-1456x1280.png\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1456px) 100vw, 1456px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/einausrufezeichengruen-1456x1280.png 1456w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/einausrufezeichengruen-1024x900.png 1024w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/einausrufezeichengruen-768x675.png 768w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/einausrufezeichengruen.png 1500w\" alt=\"\" width=\"1456\" height=\"1280\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"zitat_inner\"><cite class=\"text\">Even if you have already made your choice, you should still use these questions.<\/cite><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Your answers will form an expos\u00e9 \u2013 essentially the travel route for your paper. You can change the route along the way, but those who set off without any plan rarely arrive on time or at the right destination.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Topic<\/b><\/td>\n<td>What will be the title of your paper (including a subtitle, if applicable)?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Research question<\/b><\/td>\n<td>Which questions do you want to answer with your paper?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Goal<\/b><\/td>\n<td>What goal should your paper achieve?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Short description<\/b><\/td>\n<td>Which problem should your paper solve?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>State of research*<\/b><\/td>\n<td>What is the current state of research on your topic?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Theory*<\/b><\/td>\n<td>Which theories will you refer to?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Approach\/method*<\/b><\/td>\n<td>How will you proceed to answer your question or solve the problem?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Outline<\/b><\/td>\n<td>What will your preliminary outline look like?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Literature<\/b><\/td>\n<td>Which are the most important sources you will likely use?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Schedule<\/b><\/td>\n<td>How are you going to plan your time until the submission date?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"caption\"><sup>*<\/sup>This field is usually only required for larger pieces of work, such as a bachelor\u2019s thesis.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"deine-arbeit-anmelden\" class=\"headline has-icon\">\n<div class=\"icon\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment-small size-small\" src=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/bildschirmmiteinemtablila.png\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/bildschirmmiteinemtablila.png 1500w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/bildschirmmiteinemtablila-1024x900.png 1024w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/bildschirmmiteinemtablila-1456x1280.png 1456w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/bildschirmmiteinemtablila-768x675.png 768w\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1319\" \/><\/div>\n<h2>Registering your paper<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p>When registering your paper, you must also provide the title. The title of your paper appears on your degree certificate and will therefore accompany you for the rest of your life. It should be easy to understand and not too awkward or too long.<\/p>\n<div class=\"zitat merksatz\">\n<div class=\"icon\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/einausrufezeichenrot-1456x1280.png\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1456px) 100vw, 1456px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/einausrufezeichenrot-1456x1280.png 1456w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/einausrufezeichenrot-1024x900.png 1024w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/einausrufezeichenrot-768x675.png 768w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/einausrufezeichenrot.png 1500w\" alt=\"\" width=\"1456\" height=\"1280\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"zitat_inner\"><cite class=\"text\">Avoid company or product names as well as abbreviations that are not widely known in the title.<\/cite><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>After registration, only editorial changes are still possible. The changes must not be so substantial that they appear to be a change of topic. Further changes are only approved by examination boards in exceptional cases.<\/p>\n<div id=\"thema-eingrenzen\" class=\"headline has-icon\">\n<div class=\"icon\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment-small size-small\" src=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/blattmitherzgrossgelb.png\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/blattmitherzgrossgelb.png 1500w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/blattmitherzgrossgelb-1024x900.png 1024w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/blattmitherzgrossgelb-1456x1280.png 1456w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/blattmitherzgrossgelb-768x675.png 768w\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1319\" \/><\/div>\n<h2>Narrowing down your topic<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p>Narrowing down your topic ensures that you can word it concisely and treat the topic in sufficient depth.<\/p>\n<div class=\"beispiel\">\n<div class=\"headline\">\n<div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n<h3>1. Write down all ideas related to the subject area on a sheet of paper<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>You may find methods such as brainstorming, mind mapping or an elevator pitch helpful. You can also try gathering as many questions as you currently have about the topic or discussing it with others.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><b>Elevator pitch:<\/b> Imagine you meet an important person in the elevator. You have three minutes to present your current project as convincingly as possible.<\/p>\n<div class=\"beispiel\">\n<div class=\"headline\">\n<div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n<h3>2. Conduct a systematic search on the subject area<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Internet<\/li>\n<li>Databases<\/li>\n<li>Standard works<\/li>\n<li>Relevant academic journals<\/li>\n<li><abbr title=\"Online Public Access Catalogue\">OPAC<\/abbr>, interlibrary loan if applicable<\/li>\n<li>Interviews and expert discussions with experts in the field<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"beispiel\">\n<div class=\"headline\">\n<div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n<h3>3. Sort your information<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Store information in folders (physical or digital)<\/li>\n<li>Name folders according to criteria (e.g., interesting links, subtopics, images)<\/li>\n<li>Create a preliminary table of contents or an overview in table form<\/li>\n<li>Remove unnecessary content<\/li>\n<li>Formulate key statements<\/li>\n<li>Determine the order<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"thema-formulieren\" class=\"headline has-icon\">\n<div class=\"icon\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment-small size-small\" src=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/blockmitstifthellgruen.png\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/blockmitstifthellgruen.png 1500w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/blockmitstifthellgruen-1024x900.png 1024w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/blockmitstifthellgruen-1456x1280.png 1456w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/blockmitstifthellgruen-768x675.png 768w\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1319\" \/><\/div>\n<h2>Formulating your topic<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p>When narrowing down and formulating your topic, you should repeatedly ask yourself the following questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What belongs to my topic, and what does not?<\/li>\n<li>Which considerations go too far when working on the topic?<\/li>\n<li>Which details can I leave out?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"hufig-gestellte-fragen\" class=\"headline has-icon\">\n<div class=\"icon\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment-small size-small\" src=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/zweifragezeichenrot.png\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/zweifragezeichenrot.png 1500w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/zweifragezeichenrot-1024x900.png 1024w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/zweifragezeichenrot-1456x1280.png 1456w, https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/zweifragezeichenrot-768x675.png 768w\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1319\" \/><\/div>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"faq_wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"faq question\">How can I narrow down the topic of my paper?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"faq answer\">At the beginning, write down all ideas related to the subject area on a sheet of paper, conduct a systematic search on the subject area, and then sort your information. Finally, decide on a clearly defined question or task.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"faq question\">What do I need to consider when choosing the title of my paper?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"faq answer\">Because the title of your paper appears on your degree certificate, it should be easy to understand and not too awkward or too long. You should avoid company or product names as well as abbreviations that are not widely known.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"faq question\">Can I change the title after registering my paper?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"faq answer\">After registration, only editorial changes are still possible. The changes must not be so substantial that they appear to be a change of topic. Further changes are only approved by examination boards in exceptional cases.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"vimeo-player\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1066546635?h=6bba428913\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Finding a topic If you are still at the very beginning of finding a topic for your academic paper, think about which subjects from your studies you would like to explore further, which career you would like to pursue, or which issues you care about. You can also use techniques such as Freewriting or Clustering. \u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":5278,"menu_order":8,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"artikel_category":[1405],"artikel_post_tag":[1562,2140,1521,1509],"fakultaet":[1269,1272,1275],"arbeitsart":[1310,1251],"class_list":["post-9230","artikel","type-artikel","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","artikel_category-organization-motivation-en","artikel_post_tag-limitations","artikel_post_tag-registration","artikel_post_tag-research-question","artikel_post_tag-title","fakultaet-bw-en","fakultaet-d-en","fakultaet-sw","arbeitsart-hausarbeit-en","arbeitsart-masterarbeit-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Find, Formulate, and Narrow Down Your Topic - Online Writing Lab<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/how-to-find-formulate-and-narrow-down-your-topic\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"de_DE\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Find, Formulate, and Narrow Down Your Topic - Online Writing Lab\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Finding a topic If you are still at the very beginning of finding a topic for your academic paper, think about which subjects from your studies you would like to explore further, which career you would like to pursue, or which issues you care about. 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