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Narrowing a Topic To Write an
ESSAY
Narrowing a Topic To Write an
ESSAY
© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office
Narrowing a Topic To Write an ESSAY
When your research topic is too broad, ask yourself these questions:
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?
© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office
Narrowing a Topic To Write an ESSAY
Let’s see how this works with an example: eating disorders
This topic is too broad (general) to write about in a short paper. We need to make it narrower (more specific).
© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office
Narrowing a Topic To Write an ESSAY
Who?
TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS
Populations
Age
Gender
Race or Ethnicity
NEW TOPIC:
Eating disorders in teenage girls
© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office
Narrowing a Topic To Write an ESSAY
What?
TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS
Types
Anorexia
Bulimia
Compulsive eating
NEW TOPIC:
Anorexia in teenage girls
© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office
Narrowing a Topic To Write an ESSAY
When?
TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS
Time Frames
Current or historical view
Period of life
NEW TOPIC:
Anorexia in teenage girls between 15 – 18 years of age
© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office
Narrowing a Topic To Write an ESSAY
Where?
TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS
Places
Cities/Towns
Provinces
Countries
NEW TOPIC:
Anorexia in teenage girls in major cities vs. small towns
© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office
Narrowing a Topic To Write an ESSAY
Why?
TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS
Evaluate
Causes
Treatments
Outcomes
NEW TOPIC:
Successful methods for treatment anorexia
© 2007, OSU Libraries, Instruction Office
Narrowing a Topic To Write an ESSAY
Mix n’ Match
Combine any number of elements that you come up with from asking these questions until you find an interesting topic to write an essay about.
Some examples:
• Causes and treatment of anorexia in college athletes
• Changes in treatment for anorexia, 1950 – present, in Canada
These topics would have to be done as a research essay.
