1. What is it, and how do I write one?
Essential Questions
What is it, and how do I write one?

2. Research Assignment
Each student will have to choose an essential question based on a controversial topic. Then, the student will research the question, take a position on the topic, and defend that position.
*This is not a report. It is argumentative writing.

3. What is an Essential Question?
provokes deep thought
solicits information-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 an answer
encourages critical thinking not just memorization of facts

4. Requires readers to: EVALUATE SYNTHESIZE ANALYZE
make a thoughtful choice between options, with the choice based upon clearly stated criteria
SYNTHESIZE
invent a new or different version
ANALYZE
develop a thorough and complex understanding through skillful questioning

5. Types of Essential questions
Which/ Which One?
How?
What if?
Should?
Why?

6. Traditional Questions versus Essential Questions
Not Essential: What is it like to live in Hong Kong?
Essential: Which city in Southeast Asia is the best place to live?
Not Essential: What is AIDS?
Essential: Which serious disease most deserves research funding?

7. Which/Which One?
require collecting information and making informed decisions
Which serious disease deserves the most research funding?
Which 20th century leader did the most to advance the cause of civil rights?

8. What If? pose a hypothesis and consider possible results
How can we reverse the increasing childhood obesity rate?
How can we balance medical research using animals with the rights of animals?
How can students make a significant contribution in combating global warming?

9. Should? present evidence to support a moral or practical decision.
Should ethanol be used as an ingredient in automobile fuel?
Should advertising aimed at young people be regulated?
Should creationism be taught in science classrooms?

10. Why? show an understanding of relationships or cause and effect
Why is the infant mortality rate higher in one country than another?
Why do people move from one country to another?

11. steps to Creating an Essential Question
What are controversial topics you are passionate about?
Read over the Controversial Topics handout.
At the bottom of your Essential Question handout, list the three things that interest you the most.
After you have chosen three topics, think about possible essential questions about each topic.