This document discusses how to refine the scope of a research topic statement. It explains that a topic is created at the intersection of overlapping ideas, and that adding or removing dissimilar ideas from the topic can make the scope narrower or broader. It also notes that the specific words used to describe an idea can limit or expand the scope of that particular idea in the topic statement.

1. REFINING SCOPE
It is useful to view a topic statement as an
expression of different but overlapping ideas.
Each different idea acts to narrow the scope of
the topic.
z A research
topic is created at
the intersection of
these dissimilar
ideas.
IDEA 1
IDEA 2 IDEA 3

2. • Thus, one way to narrow the scope of the topic
is to add more dissimilar ideas to the topic.
IDEA 1
IDEA 2 IDEA 3
IDEA 4

3. • Similarly, to broaden the scope, remove
dissimilar ideas.
IDEA 1
IDEA 2

4. The choice of the words describing a
particular idea may also limit or expand the
particular idea.
z Selecting the word
“vehicle” creates a broader
topic scope than if the word
“automobile” (a more
specific type of vehicle) were
selected.

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