Choose an event or historical era and draw from it a topic that you find particularly interesting. For example, it you are interested in 1920s America, you may choose to discuss Prohibition. From that topic you can explore the role of government as an enforcer of social conservatism or the role of the sale of alcohol in the American economy. Research the topic and discuss how or if it remains relevant in contemporary society. Link the topic with other instances in history that were similar so as to provide a greater understanding and context.
Rather than researching a particular discovery, historical moment, or social phenomenon, research one of the key figures involved in such occasions. For example, if you are interested in writing about Enlightenment philosophy, research Jean Jacques Rousseau or John Locke. Choose a specific event in the person's life that influenced his work or discuss how his work was influenced by events that occurred at the time. Profile the person so that his work can be put into context.
Choose a current topic that has been covered widely in the news but that you feel has not received properly detailed academic attention. Discuss the topic by narrowing in on one of its many components or by discussing it in terms of broader historical, philosophical, scientific or sociological movement. For example, if you choose the 2010 WikiLeaks controversy as your topic, you may focus on its internal, logistical intricacies or as part of a broader movement within the field of mass communication.
Choose a topic that requires you to act as an investigative journalist exposing an issue that has not yet made it into mainstream academic discussions. This style of research paper requires you to conduct your own original study rather than merely focusing on secondary resources. Choose a topic that you have access to and that can be covered within your time frame and essay length restraints. Conduct interviews, surveys and analyze original documents to expose an issue or phenomenon that is worthy of discussion.