How to Select an Essay Topic

Key Criteria for Topic Selection

1. Familiarity with the Topic

   • Evaluate how well you know the topic.
   • Avoid unfamiliar topics even if they seem interesting.
   • Familiarity means you have heard about it and it’s not alien to you.
   • Requires a deep understanding and knowledge accumulation over the years.

2. Level of Knowledge

   • You must have an in-depth understanding of the topic.
   • Essential for writing a comprehensive essay of 1000–1200 words.

3. Propensity and Probability

   • Assess the frequency of the topic being chosen by others.
   • Consider how many others will select the same topic.
   • Higher frequency topics require extraordinary essays to stand out.
   • Propensity is one criterion but not the only one.

4. Diversity in the Topic

   • Evaluate different aspects and dimensions that can be explored.
   • Compare narrow topics (e.g., Internet of Things) vs. broad topics (e.g., India of My Dreams).
   • Broader topics like India of My Dreams can encompass multiple dimensions.
   • Ensure the possibility to explore various dimensions.

5. Novelty of the Topic

   • Assess the potential for introducing new ideas and arguments.
   • Choose topics where you can infuse new thoughts from your in-depth research.
   • Requires substantial prior reading and understanding.
   • Introduce unique and lesser-explored angles in your essay.

Final Thoughts on Topic Selection

• Allocate 10 minutes for topic selection.
• Check familiarity, knowledge, propensity, diversity, and novelty for each topic.
• Start by assessing familiarity, then proceed to knowledge, and so on.
• Avoid large knowledge gaps even if the topic is interesting.

Use this process to systematically select a suitable essay topic that allows you to perform to the best of your abilities and stand out in evaluations.