How to write an central Question and Guiding Questions

What is a central question ? This is a BIG question to answer! It’s almost impossible to answer it without breaking it down into parts (these “parts” become your GUIDING QUESTIONS….but we’ll talk about those in a bit.) This is your MAIN QUESTION – it’s what your ENTIRE INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT will be about.

A central Question … provokes deep thought. solicits information. involves gathering and evaluation of data. results in an original answer. helps students conduct problem-related research. makes students produce original ideas rather than predetermined answers. may not have one right answer, but instead has numerous possible answers. encourages critical thinking not just memorization of facts. serves as an umbrella for other guiding questions. cannot be answered in one sentence.

Types of central Questions “How” Questions –“How” questions focus on the process behind something. How does the electric company decide how to charge consumers? What are some sustainable solutions to environmental problems in your neighborhood, and how could they be implemented? "What if” Questions –“What if” questions are hypothetical, questions which ask you to use the knowledge you have to pose a hypothesis and consider options. "What if the Cultural Revolution had never happened?“ "What if students didn’t have to go to school?”

Types of central Questions (cont.) "Should” Questions –“Should” questions make a moral or practical decision based on evidence. "Should we clone humans?“ "Should we discontinue trade with countries that abuse human rights?“ "Why” Questions –“Why” questions ask you to understand cause and effect. "Why" helps us understand relationships; it helps us get to the essence of an issue. "Why do people abuse drugs?“ "Why is the death rate higher in one Third World country than another?"

How to Write an central Question Step One: Choose a topic you’re interested in. –Jackie Robinson’s life –Aliens –Equal Rights for Women –War Experiences –Oil Spills –Ghandi –Dealing with Change –Academic testing in schools –The Academy Awards Step Two: Create a central Question that stems from your particular interests in a topic and begin that question with “How,” “What if,” “Should,” or “Why.” –Why do we drill in the oceans? –Should the United States reinstate the draft? –What if Ghandi never existed? –What if students weren’t required to take any standardized tests? –How did Pele impact soccer around the world?

What are Guiding Questions ? Guiding questions –support the central question –are still part of the big picture, but they begin to break down the question into its smaller, more manageable components.

Examples of Guiding Questions central Question: –How do public utilities determine the price of water related utilities? Guiding Questions: –How do rates among different communities differ and why? –How many employees are there, and what are the salaries of the employees? –Do all of the utility companies use the same formula? If so, what is this formula? If not, what other formulas are used?