How do I know if my essay topic is too broad?

[Petra]

I thought I had the perfect topic: "The Impact of Social Media on Society." My professor wrote "too broad" in red and suggested I narrow it. I was frustrated — it seemed perfectly reasonable to me.

After office hours, I finally understand what "too broad" means. A topic is too broad if you can't possibly cover it in your page limit. "The Impact of Social Media on Society" would need a book, maybe several books. For a 5-page paper? Impossible.

Questions to check if your topic is too broad:

• Can you state your main argument in one clear sentence?
• Does your topic have a specific time period, population, or location?
• Are there too many directions you could take it?

My professor suggested I add boundaries: instead of "social media and society," try "How Instagram affects body image among teenage girls in the US." Same general area, but now I have focus. I know exactly what to research. I know what evidence to look for.

The University of Southern Queensland's writing guide says a good topic should be something you can actually explore deeply within your word limit . If you're just skimming the surface, it's too broad.

I'm starting over, but at least now I know what "narrow" actually means. Anyone else struggle with this?

 

[RitaM]

Hi Petra, not a professor but I've read enough bad essays to know that "too broad" is the #1 killer. Students pick huge topics because they think it shows ambition. But a broad topic with shallow coverage is worse than a narrow topic with deep analysis every time.

Your professor's suggestion is perfect. Instagram + body image + teenage girls + US = you can actually dig into that. Find studies. Make arguments. Draw conclusions.

The "can you state your argument in one sentence" test is everything. Try it with your new topic. Bet you can.