What do "scope" and "time frame" mean in this sentence?

[thincat]

Hi,

What do "time frame" and "scope" mean in the following sentence?

"Your essay should begin with an introductory section which spells out the subject matter, the scope, the time frame, and the key concepts to be addressed."

Thank you!

 

[SoothingDave]

The scope defines what you are going to cover in your essay and what you are not going to cover. For instance, I might write a paper on the Roman Empire, but only in terms of politics, not covering culture and economics. Or I might write about the Reformation, but only in Germany, not in Scotland or Switzerland.

The time frame would be the period in time that you are writing about.

 

[thincat]

Thank you very much!
I know what "scope" means now.
However, I still have some doubts about "time frame." If this essay is not about history, does it still mean the time period I about? Would it refer to the time I spend on writing the essay, or the time I use to conduct research etc.?

Thanks!

 

[SoothingDave]

I guess "time frame" would be relevant or not depending on what the topic of the essay is.