Skip to main content
Humanities LibreTexts

4.1.1: Topic ideas

  • Page ID
    308455
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    ( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

    \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

    \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}}      % arrow\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}}      % arrow\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)

    \(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)

    What to write about?

    As a writer in a technical writing course, you may need some strategies for finding topics for writing projects, which are provided in this section.

    By definition, technical-writing courses are opportunities to focus on practical uses of your writing skills. In the ideal technical-writing course, you would have a work-related writing project every two to three weeks: for example, instructions for that pesky fax machine down the hall or recommendations on home alarm systems. However, technical-writing courses are also great opportunities for exploring science and technology: latest advances in nanotechnology, latest theories about the origin of the universe, latest methods for hydroponic gardening. If your instructor encourages you to find your own topics, take a look at the following suggestions.

    Cutting-Edge Technologies
    How ambitious and daring are you? The link below takes you to some amazing, crazy inventions and discoveries.
    Gizmag.com clippings


     

    Volunteer Opportunities
    Find a service-learning opportunity that involves some writing!
    Read about Service Learning. In particular, take a look at the volunteer opportunities


     

    Topic Ideas for Technical-Writing Courses
    Peruse these topics—see if any possibilities for projects come to mind.
      Mind-controlled devices Water supply Gut, gut bacteria
    Graphene Driverless autos Water purification Computer face recognition
    Wormholes Superstrings 3D printing High-definition TV
    Anthropocene era Unmanned avionics (drones) Green roofs WiFi
    Global warming Deforestation Acid rain Ozone depletion
    Rain forests Continental drift Greenhouse effect Endangered species
    Industrial waste disposal Mount St. Helens eruption Solar energy devices Nuclear power
    Plate tectonics Solar automobiles Petroleum-based energy Thermal power
    Wind energy Freon Mass transportation Nuclear fusion
    Microwave technologies Bomb detection methods High-tech weaponry Advances in automotives
    Xeriscaping Soil analysis Hybridization techniques Hydroponics
    Recycling Drip irrigation Alternative agriculture Desalination methods
    Genetic engineering World Wide Web Computer video Multimedia
    Computer memory Computer animation Fiber optics Computer audio
    Virtual reality Artificial intelligence Telecomputing Telecommuting
    Advanced compact disks Cellular telephones Personal digital assistants Videoconferencing
    Digital interactive TV UFOs Satellite TV Object-oriented programming
    Digital imaging Cable TV Computer-aided education Neural networks
    Teleconferencing Advances in telephony CD-ROM technology Computer graphics
    Distance education Computer crime DVD technology Robotics
    Tech Prep Virtual classroom Expert systems Devices for diabetics
    Advanced prostheses Artificial heart Diabetes Artificial limbs
    Kidney transplants Alzheimer's disease Hypoglycemia AIDS
    Ebola Encephalitis Knee/hip replacements Carcinogens
    Hyperkinetic behavior Caffeine Saccharine Psychosomatic disorders
    Nicotine Genetic engineering Vitamin therapies Magnetic resonance imaging
    Recombinant DNA Gulf War Syndrome Ultrasound Sickle cell anemia
    Agent Orange Inflation Recession Capital-punishment methods
    Dream research Balanced budget Abortion methods Handwriting analysis
    Dyslexia Biorhythms Pheromones Wellness programs
    Acupuncture Big Bang Theory Life on Mars Saturn expedition
    Extraterrestrial intelligence Gout Supernova Mars expedition
    Halley's Comet Universe Space shuttles Uranus expedition
    Black holes The Moon Volcanoes Sink holes
    Venus Tornadoes Hurricanes Earthquakes
    Monsoons Droughts Whales Boa constrictors
    Rattlesnakes Sharks Geckoes Panda bears
    Black widows Iguanas Wolves Eagles
    Dolphins Scorpions Coyotes Dinosaurs
    Influenza Panic attacks Heart attacks Breast cancer
    Lung cancer Bioengineered foods Migraines Nanotechnology


     

    Ideas for Audiences
    See if the following list of audiences brings to mind technical-writing projects.
    City council members Parent-teacher association Downtown renovation commission
    Neighborhood association City transportation board Rural utilities cooperative
    Recycling special interest group Student parking action group Student housing board
    City mass transportation agency Business secretary association Pet owners society
    Save-our-trees action group Citizens antipornography league City beautification commission
    Alternative energy-resource investors Friends of sidewalk artists Housing for the homeless society
    Computer animators society Alternative-transportation action group College solar-automobile club
    High-school science teachers association City busriders support group Drug-rehab center board
    Citizens-against-crime league Computer-game design society Your local government representative
    City mayor County commissioners Home-brewers and microbrewers club
    Organic foods cooperative Student housing cooperative Local wine makers society
      Student services director  

     

    Academic and Workplace-Oriented Majors
    Consider interesting courses or projects related to your major or any of the following.
    Accounting Air conditioning technology Aerospace technology Refrigeration technology
    Astronomy Automotive technology Biology Biotechnology
    Engineering Chemistry Child development Computer science
    Culinary arts Diagnostic medical imaging Electronics Building construction technology
    Emergency medical service technology Engineering design graphics Information records management Physical fitness technology
    Geomatics (land surveying technology) Fire protection technology Medical lab technology Meteorology
    Molecular genetics Urban studies Engineering Marine biology
    Molecular biology Biochemistry Petroleum engineering Geosystems engineering
    Neurobiology Mechanical engineering Electrical engineering Biomedical engineering
    Military science Civil engineering Chemical engineering Nursing
    Occupational therapy Office systems technology Pharmacy technology Photography
    Geology Physics Printing technology Quality assurance
    Surgical technology Technical communication Welding technology X-ray operations

     

    Interesting Magazines and Journals
    Go to your local library or newsstand and flip through some of the following.
    Flying Mother Earth News Magazine Popular Photography
    Issues in Medical Ethics Wood Magazine 4 Wheel & Off Road magazine
    Air & Space Magazine Audio Magazine Smithsonian
    Home Improver Magazine Family Business Magazine PC Magazine
    Byte Magazine Family Handyman Magazine
    Anthropological Linguistics Nature Astronomy Magazine
    Scientific American National Geographic Cogeneration
    Energy Research News Lab Animal Molecular Vision
    Neuron Petroleum Equipment & Technology BBC News: Science and Technology
    Electronic Journal of Biotechnology American Naturalist Nuclear Plant Journal
    Garden and Forest Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Forest Ecology and Management
    Weed Research Wetlands Ecology and Management Conscious Choice: The Journal of Ecology & Natural Living
    Issues in Science and Technology Technology & Culture Electric Vehicle World
    Discover Magazine Distant Star GEO Magazine
    Gene Therapy Weekly Home Power Magazine Physics World
    Robot Science & Technology UFO Digest Sea Technology
    UFO Magazine NanoTechnology Magazine Popular Mechanics
    Popular Science Technology Review Cyberspace Today
    Wired Space Business International Amateur Astronomy Magazine
    Sky & Telescope CNN: Sci-Tech Brain & Mind
    Journal of Prisoners on Prisons Electronic House Online Home Energy
    Popular Home Automation Hazardous Materials Management Magazine Professional Boatbuilder Magazine
    Practical Hydroponics & Greenhouses Progressive Farmer Today Potato Grower
    Pest Control Technology (PCT) Goat Farmer Magazine Disaster Recovery Journal
    Upholster Magazine CleanRooms Worm Digest
    Recycling Today Magazine American Waste Digest American Small Farm Magazine
    Pacific Fishing Urban Transportation Monitor Advanced Rescue Technology
    Pit and Quarry Magazine Corrections Technology & Management Magazine Wireless Access Technologies
    Journal of Emergency Medical Services    


     

    Interesting Websites
    Browse some these websites for ideas.
    Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. Provided by the Georgia Tech Mobile Robot Lab http://www.cc.gatech.edu/ai/robot-lab/links.html  
    Robotics. From the Seattle Robotics Society http://www.seattlerobotics.org/gettingstarted.php Virtual Reality Society. News, software, links, introductory information about virtual reality http://www.vrs.org.uk
    Solar Car Page. Lots of information about and links to solar-powered cars http://www.seattlerobotics.org/gettingstarted.php --
    Introduction to Artificial Intelligence. A free course provided by udacity.com. https://www.udacity.com/course/intro-to-artificial-intelligence--cs271
    Virtual Worlds at MIT. Symposium: Learning environments, Global communities, Second Life, Wonderland, Google Earth, and more. http://web.mit.edu/oeit-projects/IAP-VW/  
     
      American Association for Wind Engineering. An organization for promoting the research and professional practice of as well as for distributing information on wind engineering http://aawe.org
    Cold Fusion Times. Journal on the scientific aspects of loading isotopic fuels into materials as well as related topics http://world.std.com/~mica/cft.html
    -- Scientists for Global Responsibility. Web site promoting socially responsible and ethical uses of science and technology
    dead link
    The Future of Food. Provided by the American Museum of Natural History --
    GreenerCars Ratings. Provided by greenercars.org, part of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) --
    -- --
    Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Provided by the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities program --
    -- --
    American Cryonics Society. Preserving the whole body, head, or brain, of persons recently declared legally dead, in the hope of revival at some time in the future. Available at Wikipedia.org The Visible Human Project. MRI cross-sections of the human body with explanations
    --
    -- --
    Superluminal Motion: Concerning faster-than-the-speed-of-light travel. Provided by scienceworld.wolfram.com superluminal motion --
    -- --
    Human Genome Organisation. Human Genome Organisation (HUGO), the international organization with the global initiative to map and sequence the human genome --
       


     

    Work Place: Ideas for Technical-Writing Projects
    What's going on at work? Are the projects there, just waiting for you? Browse some of these ideas:
    Does the office need a new photocopy machine?
    Are you considering a fax machine? a CD writer? a digital camera?
    Is the staff expected to use a new software application for which there is no user guide?
    Are you and other employees interested in telecommuting (using electronic and computer methods to work at home)?
    Is management considering putting all operating procedures and other administrative materials online?
    Has your agency been challenged to go "paperless"—to get all files stored and searchable electronically?
    Have you been tasked with recommending a personal digital assistant, cell phone, or notebook computer for all employees in your company?


     

    Problems, Problems, Problems . . .
    A good source for volunteer projects is Idealist at www.idealist.org, a site run by Action Without Borders, a non-profit foundation. It lists 10,000 Web sites for non-profit organizations, information on volunteering, jobs, and projects.
    Inadequate public transportation Lack of parking Overflowing land fills
    Smog and otherwise dirty air Crowded streets and highways Crime, vandalism
    Homeless people Lack of daycare facilities Unemployment
    Lack of low-cost housing Dwindling water supplies Expensive electricity
    Natural areas threatened by urban development Lack of parks and recreational facilities Lack of facilities for the elderly
    Rodent infestations Mosquitoes Lack of vegetation (trees, shrubbery, etc.)
    Projects for nonprofits Lack of facilities for young people Expensive water


     

    I would appreciate your thoughts, reactions, criticism regarding this chapter: your responseDavid McMurrey.


    This page titled 4.1.1: Topic ideas is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by David McMurrey.

    • Was this article helpful?