Empoword

Part Three: Research and Argumentation 284 Not specific enough, difficult to answer in- depth: What is the role of religion in the Middle East? More specific, easier to answer: How has religion influenced politics in the Middle East in the last 50 years? Very specific, higher stakes, more complex answers: How has religion’s influence on government impacted the day- to-day lives of Qatari citizens? As you hone your path of inquiry, you may need to zoom in or out in terms of scope: depending on your rhetorical situation, you will need different degrees of focus. Just like narration, research writing benefits from a careful consideration of scope. Often, a narrower scope is easier to work with than a broader scope—you will be able to write more and write better if your question asks for more complex thinking. It’s important to be flexible throughout your research project. Be prepared to pivot topics, adjust your research question, change your opinions, and confront unanticipated challenges.