Consideration 1: Try to choose a topic you are interested in
Consideration 2: Don’t be too broad, but don’t be too narrowly focused either
To achieve the happy medium, be prepared to take a step back if too narrow, or focus in more if too broad
You need to start by choosing a TOPIC, but you’ll need to develop a THESIS or CLAIM about that Topic
Your Thesis or Claim:
Any conflict between two jurisdictions:
Sample Search: (split! or disagree! /5 circuit or court or authority)
Can be run in caselaw or secondary sources (including news)
Add additional terms to focus in on your general topic
Add a date restriction: Splits from 10+ years ago may have been resolved by now or may already be the subject of scholarly works. But then again . . .
(c) Capital University. All rights reserved.
Capital University Law Library, 303 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, 614-236-6464
Information found on these pages does not constitute legal advice. Use of these guides does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Capital University students, faculty, staff, alumni, and attorneys looking for reference assistance with legal materials may contact the reference department at reference@law.capital.edu. or call 614-236-6466 during normal reference hours.