Developing an Essential Question Mrs. Bovino Library

Essential Question The answer should not be in your notes or in any one source Reflect upon what you learned this year Requires critical thinking to answer You must evaluate the facts and draw your own conclusions! The answer to your essential question should be your opinion! Think current events….

Your Subject for Research Choose a subject that you found interesting/enjoyed learning about this year… Maybe Government, Religion or Art? Brainstorm ideas within topics

How do I structure my Essential Question? Must start with How or Why Must be a Comparison or Cause/Effect Question

Comparison Question Select items you want to compare: Ex. Theodora and Michelle Obama How does Theodora compare to Michelle Obama? Select criteria of the items on which you want to base your comparison Ex. 1) Background 2) Motivation 3) Contribution

Comparison Guiding Questions Sample Question: How does Theodora compare to Michelle Obama? Define the 2 items being compared 1st guiding question. Ex. Who was Theodora? Who is M. Obama? (Background information) Define the additional criteria being researched 2nd guiding question. Ex. What were Theodora’s beliefs? What are Michelle Obama’s beliefs? 3rd guiding question. Ex. What were Theodora’s contributions to women’s rights? What are Obama’s contributions to public programs and government?

Make a Chart Theodora Michelle Obama Background Who were they? Motivation/Beliefs What were their beliefs? Contributions What were their contributions? In your conclusion, what stands out as a major difference between the 2 topics? With comparison questions, you will state that one topic is more (something) than the other topic . This is your opinion! For example: You could argue: Theodora had a more profound effect on governmental policies than Michelle Obama. Must be arguable!

Cause/Affect Question Ex. How did democratic thought affect common people? Choose 3 effects to discuss Examples: Work Education Family Leisure Freedom Rights

Format - Use for all forms – Photo Story, Prezi, Paper, etc. Essential Question - clearly stated on Title Page/Slide Introduction – State your Thesis. This is the answer to your research question. (This is your opinion, not a fact). Comparison Question: 3 criteria to compare such as 1) background 2) beliefs 3) contributions OR Cause/Affect Question: 3 effects such as 1) Work 2) Education 3)Family Conclusion – Restate your thesis. Provide proof to your thesis from facts.

Works Cited You must cite in proper MLA format. Works Cited must be in Microsoft Word or Google Doc. Noodle Tools: Personal id: your student id# Password: student

Are these good essential questions? Who was Alexander the Great? What was the Battle of Tours?