English 111/112

How to Narrow Your Topic

If your topic is too broad or vague, you will find too much information and will need to narrow the focus.
 

Example: “I'm thinking of doing a paper on fashion."

You can write a multi-volume work on fashion. How can this be turned into a more manageable topic?

Define the topic by asking these questions:

• What do you know about it? What don't you know?
• What aspects of your topic interest you: historical, sociological, psychological, etc.?
• What time period do you want to cover?
• On what geographic region do you want to focus?
• What kind of information do you need?
  • A brief summary or a lengthy explanation?
  • Periodical articles, books, essays, encyclopedia articles?
  • Statistics?

Sample Topic Narrowing Chart: 

Taken from UCLA Library

How to Broaden Your Topic

If your topic is too specific or specialized or new, it will be difficult finding enough information to write your paper. In that case, you will need to broaden your idea.

Example: I'm thinking of doing a paper on "whether genetically altered soybeans are safe for consumers."

This topic as stated is seeking to answer a question for which there may be no answer yet -- more scientific and long-term research may need to be done. How can this be turned into a more manageable topic?

Hint 1: Look for parallels and opportunities for broader associations:

• Could you examine other bioengineered foods, in addition to soybeans?
• Could you think broadly about safety concerns and issues -- what might these be?
• Who are the key players in this controversy? Consumer activists? The FDA? Scientists?
• What other issues are involved in this topic? Such as, how should be foods be labeled?

Hint 2: Brainstorm! (and ask a reference librarian!)

Sample Topic Broadening Chart: 

 Taken from UCLA Library