A Question of Scope. Right-Sizing Your Essay

When selecting a topic, it is imperative to consider scope. If the topic area is too broad, it becomes much more difficult to write about. If it is too narrow, other problems can arise (see below).

Taken by itself, the topic "Colonialism" is far too broad. There are too many areas to explore within that topic and it raises more questions than can be answered in a succinct manner. What type of colonialism? Whose colonialism? Where? When? How? By asking these questions, the writer can begin to see the numerous sub-topics that emerge under the overall topic of "Colonialism."

What? The essay will be about "colonialism."

Who? There were many nations that practiced colonialism, England, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and others. For the purposes of this exercise, let us select England (Great Britain). We have now limited our topic to English Colonialism.

When? Colonialism in Europe was dominant from the 15th to the 19th century. Four hundred years of information will be a lot to cover, so let us limit our topic some more. Should the time be the outset of colonialism, the golden age, or the decline and fall within the British Empire?

Where? Location is almost as important as time when it comes to narrowing a topic. Seeing as a particular point in time is shared by everyone around the world simultaneously, our scope will still be too large. Let us limit the topic to Australia. This starts the timeline around 1770.

Why? The British Empire was unable to continue sending its prisoners to America after the American Revolution, so they needed another suitable location for this purpose. When Australia was discovered, Captain Cook recommended that a penal colony be established there.

How? At this point, the topic for the essay can be completed, "How the First Penal Colony in Australia Was Established." or "Captain Cook Discovers Australia." or "Botany Bay: The First Australian Penal Colony." Any number of angles can be taken on the topic at this point, depending on the writer's interests and needs.


Topic is Too Narrow?

Topics can be overly narrow, as well. Just as a topic that is too broad can overwhelm the writer by covering too much information, a topic that is too narrowly focused can create the opposite problem. For example, "The Types of Wood Used in Home Construction in Botany Bay, Australia, in the Year 1792." would be a bit too limiting for most essayists' purposes. It is important to leave enough "topic space" to explore around the topic, but not so much that the topic becomes unfocused and incoherent. Another pitfall of selecting a topic that is too narrow or obscure is the fact there may not be sufficient resources to use to support the main points of the essay. (McClain and Roth, 1999)