Narrow Your Topic

Identify & Brainstorm

Use the list of possible topics provided by your instructor. Start brainstorming any related questions or ideas you have that could help you narrow down the topic to a more specific issue.

Note: This may require some initial, background research using your class readings, Wikipedia Links to an external site., SuperSearch Links to an external site., CQ Researcher Links to an external site., or the Pew Research Center Links to an external site.. 

Examples

Maternal mortality

  • Why is it so high in the US?
  • Why is it so much higher for African American women?
  • What are the primary causes?
    • Discrimination?
    • Lack of access to health care (prenatal/postpartum)?
    • Income level?
    • Insurance coverage?
    • C-sections?

Gender pay gap

  • Is it “real” or a “myth”?
  • What are the primary causes?
    • Gender stereotypes (“women’s work” vs. “men’s work”)?
    • Discrimination?
    • Family (“motherhood penalty”)?
    • Maternity leave?
    • Salary negotiation?
    • Education level?

 mind the gap

Image credit: London Student Feminists Links to an external site. / CC BY-SA 3.0 Links to an external site.