Topic, Audience, and Purpose

Narrow the Topic

The topic is what you are writing about. Most assignments include a broad category of topics such as news events (natural disasters, crime), concepts (the water cycle, behavioral therapy), or social issues (politics, the media). Within that category, you will then identify a much more narrow topic.

Narrowing your topic is like zooming in on an online map. You might start with a view of the whole continent; in order to get started on your trip, you have go to specific place. Once there, you can pick how close you want to be. You can get a bird’s eye view of the city or even a street view.

Narrowing your topic, like zooming in an online map, is a process. Begin by answering these questions:

What interests you?
What do you already know?
What else would you need to learn through research?
Will this topic help you meet the expectations of the assignment for purpose and length?

Once you have figured out the area you want to explore, then you’ll further narrow your topic by considering your audience and purpose. After you have a clearer sense of your topic, audience and purpose, you can explore the topic even more closely using prewriting strategies unit. Your topic will also influence your thesis.