Writing an Essential Question First Step in your Project Proposal

What is an essential question? Open Ended Question Has no right or wrong answer. Has MANY possibilities Inspires more questions and more discoveries of a topic Guides your research and your project Centers on major issues, problems, concerns, interests, or themes relevant to your life and to the world It is short and sweet

Key Words for Writing an ESSENTIAL Question how what impact what effect why if

What is NOT an ESSENTIAL QUESTION? An essential question is NOT something can be Googled out right and an answer found. It is NOT a question that has a right or wrong answer. It is NOT a question that requires a 5 pound book to answer.

EXAMPLE? How does art shape and impact culture? How do technological changes influence people’s lives? Society? How does what we measure influence how we measure? How can I help poverty in ________? How can I make __________ to help ______?

NON-EXAMPLES? What do I need to do to become a mechanic? How can I repaint a car? Is child abuse bad? What is the water cycle, and how does it work?

Why do I need to know this? In order to write your project proposal you need an essential question. This question will serve as the guiding point and a driving force of the whole of your project. All of the small questions should feed off of this question. They should be meant to help answer your essential question.

How do I write an ESSENTIAL QUESTION? Take your project topic. Write a thesis statement with your topic. Change that statement into a question. Photography Photography is creative expression. How can I express my creativity through photography?

How do I write an ESSENTIAL QUESTION? Take your project topic. Write a thesis statement with your topic. Change that statement into a question. Endangered Animals Endangered animals should be protected. What impact can I have in protecting endangered animals?

How do I write an ESSENTIAL QUESTION? Take your project topic. Write a thesis statement with your topic. Change that statement into a question. How, What impact?, What effect does/will, If, Why?

What NOW? In order for you to start your project proposal, you need an ESSENTIAL QUESTION that is approved by the teacher. Write your essential question. Make sure it follows the guidelines of this video. Submit your essential question using the Google Form.