1. Narrowing Your Topic

2. Think about your message…
In your paper…
WHAT are you going to
SAY about your topic? or
What QUESTIONS are you going to ANSWER about your topic?

3. And how are you going to do it…
in just (how many ) pages?

4. Narrowing Strategy 1: Aspect
Focus on a particular ASPECT of the topic:
Not: Free trade
But: Environmental impact of free trade

5. Narrowing Strategy 2: Time
Focus on your topic during a particular TIME PERIOD
Free Trade
between
1990 and 2000

6. Narrowing Strategy 3: Type
IT Industry
Focus on a specific TYPE or CLASS of people, institutions, or other things as they relate to your topic
Free trade in the IT industry
Capital
Goods
Clothing
Industry
Services
Intellectual Property
Labor
Steel Industry

7. Narrowing Strategy 4: Place
Focus on a particular PLACE
Free trade
with Asia

8. Narrowing Strategy 5: Add Two Topics
Focus on the relationship between TWO DIFFERENT TOPICS
Free trade and communism

9. COMBINE different kinds of focuses:
Now, a really big tip:
COMBINE different kinds of focuses:
The relationship between free trade agreements made between with communist countries in Asia and the US steel industry’s compliance with environmental protection laws

10. Ok, maybe that’s going too far…
Are you really going to find enough information about how free trade agreements made between with communist countries in Asia have impacted the US steel industry’s compliance with environmental protection laws?
(Maybe not)

11. But how about this… What can you SAY about…
Changes in the US steel industry as a result of recent free trade agreements with China
What QUESTIONS could you try to ANSWER about …
The impact of recent free trade agreements on US environmental law

12. A Review of Narrowing Strategies:
Narrow your topic by focusing on:
Aspect
Time
Type
Place
Its relationship with a second topic
A combination of two or more of the above