Find a broad area that relates to your course, or a general direction for your paper that interests you. Write a list of any aspects related to that topic that come to mind. Include anything you think of while you are writing.
Select the topic from your list that interests you the most and write it down in the center of a piece of paper. Draw lines extending out to secondary sub-topics which relate to the central topic. If your main topic is "cars," for example, your sub-topics can include "electric cars," "race cars" or "types of cars."
Repeat the branching process from each of the sub-topics for further classification. For example, extend the sub-topic of "electric cars" into "types," "benefits" and "potential."
Select your final idea from one of the end nodes of the tree structure: these ideas are specific enough to spark a substantial thesis statement and will likely allow a thorough discussion in your term paper.
Research your idea to see if it has enough substance or available sources to fit your term paper assignment. Do this basic research early in the process to avoid any unpleasant last-minute problems. While researching, check for any other aspects of the topic that interests you in case you want to change your original idea.