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.