| Defining Your Project |
It is important to define your project boundaries prior to beginning your research. Your project should be as specific as possible and should (if historical in nature) deal with a limited time period. It is always tempting to try to cover twenty-five or fifty year periods, but in the long-run you will find that you are not able to lend enough detail to such broad time periods and, consequently, your final product will have less strength and depth. In deciding on your topic it is sometimes helpful to make a list of issues covered by a class or related to an area of interest that you would like to know more about. For instance, if you are interested in student life during the early twentieth century you will need to find a sub-topic and limit the time frame. Some possible sub-topics might be the differences between men and women's experiences, academic or social life at women's colleges, or sexual attitudes among college students. Once you have defined some narrow sub-topics spend some time writing on these topics. Focus on raising questions that you might attempt to answer in your paper. This will help you to decide which of the sub-topics you might want to pursue in depth. If you are having trouble formulating a coherent topic ask your professor, a writing mentor, a reference librarian or archivist for help.
When you do decide on a topic remember to make it as specific as possible: The early college experience of five women at Mount Holyoke College between 1935 and 1938, or the lives of women college students 1901-1910.
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