If the subject of your academic paper was not suggested by your lecturer or tutor, a good source of ideas is to think back over past lectures or issues discussed in class. Try and pick something of your interest, because you'll spend a lot of time on it.

Discuss your ideas with your lecturer or tutor.

You can also use the Subject guides prepared by the Library. Consult the Library staff specialized in the subject you are working on.

Additionally, you can consult a specialized encyclopedia or manual that covers the subject area you are looking for and that might be of use to you.

Once you have chosen a subject, identify the most important concepts in the form of keywords. Try and think of synonyms or alternative terms.

Test your subject: use these keywords or terms as a search strategy in the Library catalog. Try and pick a subject that is not too extensive or too specific. Remember that if you pick a wide-ranging subject, you will most likely be overwhelmed by the amount of information available. If, on the other hand, the subject is very specific, you might be faced with a disappointing lack of information. You have to be realistic and think about the possibility of changing your subject, even after you have actually started your paper.

If you have already chosen a subject, think about questions that your work would help find the answers. Formulate your subject as if it were a question or a phrase. Think about the most significant concepts and the keywords that describe your subject.

Once you have identified and tested your subject, you can move on to step two: Situate the subject within its context.