Using Information Effectively: Narrowing a Topic

Too Broad...

If your topic is too broad, you'll find many sources, but they won't have much in common. It will be hard to synthesize all of the information into a workable thesis. 

Too Narrow...

If your topic is too narrow, you might not find much on your topic at all. 

Just Right...

If your topic is the right size, you'll find a manageable amount of information on many aspects of your topic. 

1. Choose something you're actually interested in researching. 
2. Do some background reading before you start to identify key controversies or unsettled questions. 
3. If your topic is too broad, think of one particular aspect you can focus on. 
4. If your topic is too narrow, try to think of larger topics that are related to your initial focus.