What is the main topic of this topic?

The quality of mind enabling one to face danger or hardship resolutely: http://www.answers.com/topic/braveness, http://www.answers.com/topic/bravery, http://www.answers.com/topic/courage, http://www.answers.com/topic/courageousness, http://www.answers.com/topic/dauntlessness, http://www.answers.com/topic/doughtiness, http://www.answers.com/topic/fearlessness, http://www.answers.com/topic/gallantry, http://www.answers.com/topic/gameness, http://www.answers.com/topic/heart, http://www.answers.com/topic/intrepidity, http://www.answers.com/topic/intrepidness, http://www.answers.com/topic/mettle, http://www.answers.com/topic/nerve, http://www.answers.com/topic/pluck, http://www.answers.com/topic/pluckiness, http://www.answers.com/topic/spirit, http://www.answers.com/topic/stoutheartedness, http://www.answers.com/topic/undauntedness, http://www.answers.com/topic/valiance, http://www.answers.com/topic/valiancy, http://www.answers.com/topic/valiantness, http://www.answers.com/topic/valor. Informalhttp://www.answers.com/topic/spunk, http://www.answers.com/topic/spunkiness. Slang gut (used in plural), http://www.answers.com/topic/gutsiness, http://www.answers.com/topic/moxie. Seefear-courage.

The topic and the author's attitude or opinion about the topic can usually be found

yes the topic of the research can be broader then the topic of short essay

It is the first sentence of a paragraph which is the topic sentence.