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Note Requirements, Limitations, and Opportunities

As you analyze your assignment, identify its requirements, consider potential limitations, and look for opportunities. Being aware of these factors will help you weigh the potential drawbacks of choosing a particular topic. In the face of a looming due date or a limited word length, for example, you might find that you need to narrow the scope of a topic significantly.

Requirements can include

required length or word count
due date
number and type of sources you must use (electronic, print, and field)
suggested or required resources
document organization (title page, introduction, body, conclusion, works cited list, and so on)
documentation format (such as MLA, APA, Chicago, or CSE)
intermediate reports or activities due before you turn in the final document (such as thesis statements, notes, outlines, and rough drafts)

Limitations might include lack of access to sources, lack of time to work on a project, or limited access to software or hardware (such as printers or video cameras) that would help you produce a quality document.

Sometimes writers get so wrapped up in the requirements and limitations of an assignment that they overlook their opportunities. As you think about possible topics, ask whether you can take advantage of opportunities such as

access to a specialized or particularly good library
personal experience with and knowledge about a topic
access to experts on a topic