The Big 6 Effective Research

Step One: Task Definition 1.1 Define the problem 1.2 Identify the information needed

1.1: Define the problem Assigned prompt (ex: Compare/contrast Sold with the documentary Very Young Girls about trafficking in NYC—trafficking in Nepal vs. USA) Assigned topic (ex: write 3 pages on Sold ) Self-generated problem (ex: write a 5-page persuasive paper)

Step 1: Essential Question(s) EQ: A self-generated, broad question that your research/analysis paper will answer Cannot open a book and just “find” the answer to it Begins with “how” or “why”

Example 1 Topic: fad diets EQ: How does the popularity of fad diets reflect American values? OR EQ: Why are fad diets so prominent throughout American culture?

Step 2: Supporting Questions SQs- Unlike the EQ, you will have multiple of these (at least 2-3 for shorter papers) Can be answered by opening a book “What” “Where” “When” “Who”

Example 1 Topic: fad diets EQ: How does the popularity of fad diets reflect American values? SQ1: What is a “fad diet”? SQ2: What groups of people usually try fad diets? SQ3: Who are the spokespeople for fad diets? SQ4: What are statistics of obesity in the US?