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EMPOWER - Module 2 - Choosing Your Topic

The Goldilocks Zone...

 

Once you have brainstormed a general topic, make sure it fits the assignment.

 

Just like the objects in Goldilocks & the Three Bears, it is important that the topic is not too broad or narrow.

 


Broad topics...

  • Are too general
  • Have little or no direction
  • Are difficult to cover in detail
  • Encompass too much potential information

Searching broad topics retrieves hundreds or more results!

Broad topic example:

  • Bears

Narrow topics...

  • Are too focused
  • Do not meet the required size of the assignment
  • Do not encompass enough potential information

 

Searching narrow topics retrieves less than 10 results! 

This can also happen if the topic is too current.

 

Narrow topic example:

  • Bears in Nebraska Folktales

Just Right topics...

 

  • Have a focus and direction
  • Fit the assignment requirements for subject and size
  • Encompass just enough information to examine them in detail

 

Just Right topic example:

  • Bears in Fairy Tales and Folktales



Goldilocks tastes the porridge Authored: Leonard Leslie Brook via NYPL's Public Domain Library License: CC0 1.0 Universal

Bear Cub Animal Silhouette Family Authored: Angel Paredes Aldrete via Pixabay License: Content License

Bear 653 Authored: The Noun Project License: CC0 1.0 Universal

Cornfield Authored: U.S. Government via Rawpixel License: CC0 1.0 Universal

Goldilocks and the Three Bears Authored: Arthur Rackham via Flickr License: CC0 1.0 Universal

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