I never assign topics for papers and feel very strongly that students should have to choose their own topics, so that they will choose topics which are meaningful to them.  I realize, however, that this is difficult for some students and that many others are not used to it.  Therefore I begin with some exercises to help them generate topics.   These are given here.  I also try to do at least one exercise every week which the students may use to develop into their papers if they have nothing else they would rather write about.  This also allows them to practice skills.
 

? the purpose is to generate ideas quickly, to associate and free the mind.  Free writing is a lot like free association.  It generates lots of ideas for you to work with later.

? it is an all-purpose generating technique which is transferable to many different situations.

? set a time limit and stick to it (ten minutes often works well).  You can always write more later.

? write rapidly, try to keep the pen moving on the page.

? Use whatever shortcuts you like (e.g. “&” for “and”).

? Let your words chart your thinking path (which means digressing is just fine—maybe even desirable).

? If you can’t think of anything to write about, write that, but keep writing.

? Don’t edit.  Pay no attention to spelling, grammar, word choice, etc.  This is first-draft writing and thinking.

Using Free Writing to find a topic

Write for ten minutes without stopping, ignoring mechanical issues etc. Let your words lead you where they will.  (You might use a general prompt such as “I remember”.
Stop

Read what you have written to yourself.  Check anything that you found surprising or interesting.

Read what you wrote to a partner, or read the parts that you feel comfortable reading—remember that this is not intended to be polished writing.  The purpose is to suggest ways you could go with your writing.   Ask your partner what they thought was interesting, what caught their attention.

Choose a focus—the most interesting part of what you wrote the first time. Free write on that for another ten minutes.

Use this free-write as the basis for a paper.