write in first person: The first and sometimes most difficult step in preparing a research paper is selecting a topic. In addition to being interesting, the issue has to be both wide enough to yield adequate resources and specific enough to allow for a targeted conversation. It requires careful balancing. Finding a topic that not only fits the assignment criteria and their interests, but also has a sufficient amount of academic material available for study is a challenge that many students face (Choosing a Topic - Purdue OWL - Purdue University, n.d.)