Considering Time

When you narrow down your topic using time, consider:

  • Time of year
  • Specific time period
  • Historical event
  • Future plans
  • Changes over time

Brainstorming

Considering time of year, some potential topics include:

  • "Preparing the Water Garden for Winter" could be a manageable topic.
  • "The Pond's Not So Sweet in the Spring [Because of the Decaying Leaves]"
  • "Winter is Finished when the Snowdrops Bloom"

You might even consider time less literally. Ask yourself, "What was a good time I had by the water garden?" Answers to that question might give rise to potential topics.

  • "Refelections on Young Love at the Memorial Day Party"
  • "How to Plan a Memorial Day Party for 30 People" (Note that your ideas don't have to include the water garden.)

If you sketched a room, you can consider time in terms of holidays. Are there changes by season?



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Suggestion for Further Reading

Gardens played an important role in eighteenth century international relations. Because of my interest in my water gardens, research eighteenth century gardens might be an interesting topic for me to research in an early modern world history course. You can learn more about this topic by reading Richard Strassberg's "Culture and International Relations in the Eighteenth Century."