Be more or less specific with your topic using as many of the 5 Ws as you like!
If you are having trouble brainstorming with the 5 Ws, do some "background research." Look for short, easy articles on your broad topic to get more specific ideas. Newspaper sources are great places to start.
This link opens in a new windowUse the Five W's to Focus Your Idea
What - This is your topic. Your passion! Do you have a memory or interest that inspires you? Think about how you could use this situation for a writing assignment.
Who - Narrow by audience. Be more specific with age, race, gender, nationality, etc. Do some people involved with your topic inspire or repulse you? Try looking at the topic from their perspective.
Examples: Instead of just "Vietnam War," try
Experiences of Female Army Nurses in the Vietnam War
Experience of African American enlisted servicemen in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War Protestors and Conscientious Objectors
Where - Narrow by location. Focusing on the topic within a defined region can help avoid information overload. This could be a neighborhood, a city, a state, a region, a country, etc.
Example: Instead of just "potato farming" try:
When - Narrow by time. Try limiting a larger topic into a smaller time frame.
Example: Instead of just "feminism" try:
feminism during the 1920's
feminism during WWII
feminism in the modern United States
Why - Narrow by circumstance or method. Does your topic have circumstantial shades of grey that make it hard to define? Try focusing on a single circumstance or method.
Example: Instead of just "medicinal marijuana" try,
