Develop Your Topic

You have learned about planets in science. You must choose a planet to research and create a handout about it. Which subtopic
should be included in the final product?

• The solar system
• The size of your planet
• Space probes to other planets
• Famous astronomers

Most report topics are too broad and must be narrowed. Which topic is the narrowest?

• Middle East
• Egypt
• Pyramids

You are about to write a report about the Aztecs for social studies. You need to have a list of four questions before you start writing your report. From the four questions below, choose one question that would be least helpful.

• Who were the Aztecs?
• How did the Aztecs grow their food?
• Where did the Aztecs live?
• Why do we study the Aztecs in school?

You must write a three-page report for class. Which of the following topics would be the best choice?

• Earth Science
• Volcanoes
• Science

Read the original topic and the revised topic. Decide if the revised topic is broader (less specific) or narrower (more specific) than the original one.
Why is George Washington one of our most important Presidents.
Describe two of George Washington's most important military victories.

• Broader
• Narrower

You are assigned a research topic on animals. You need to narrow the topic. Which group below begins with the broadest topic and then moves to the narrowest topic at the end?

• Snakes, venomous snakes, reptiles, rattlesnake
• Venomous snakes, rattlesnake, snakes, reptiles
• Reptiles, snakes, venomous snakes, rattlesnake
• Rattlesnake, snakes, reptiles, venomous snakes

Read the first topic and the revised topic below. Is the revised topic broader (less specific) or narrower (more specific) than the first topic?
First topic: King Tut's mummy was discovered in the Valley of Kings in Egypt.
Second Topic: Mummification was a way to preserve the dead.

• Broader
• Narrower

You are doing a report about the invention of the light bulb by Edison. Which question below is least important to answer for this report?

• What materials did Edison use to make the first electric light?
• What year did Edison file his patent for the electric light?
• What were some factors that made Edison's invention of the light successful?
• What part does trial and error play in inventing new things?

Which question would be most helpful in finding relevant information if you were doing research on the American Revolution?

• Who were the key leaders in the struggle for independence?
• How many original colonies were there?
• When did the British settle in North America?
• How much tea was dumped during the Boston Tea Party?

You have chosen art as your topic for a research project. This topic is too broad and needs to be narrowed.
Which would make a more manageable topic for your research?

• Modern Art
• Cubism
• Picasso
• Painting and drawing