1. Developing an Essential Question
Mrs. Bovino
Library

2. 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….

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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?

7. 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!

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

9. 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.

10. 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

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