... rules for choos- ing a topic, and write a tentative thesis. –CHOOSING A TOPIC AND DEVELOPING A THESIS– 47 In Short To write an effective essay, you need a topic that interests you and fulfills ... assign- ment, and it is focused. –CHOOSING A TOPIC AND DEVELOPING A THESIS– 46 Practice 1 For the following assignment, identify a broad topic, narrow it, and turn it into a question and tentative ... beliefs about the balance between work and play It took three steps, but her “sufficiently narrowed topic” has the right level of focus and can be adequately exam- ined within the essay structure....