1. Essential Research Questions What are they?

2. An essential question is a BIG question that requires you to ask a lot of smaller questions. A good essential question DRIVES your research!

3. There are different types of questions We need all kinds to create good research… but which ones are good essential questions?

4. Fact Questions There is a correct answer The answer is easy to look up Often a one-word answer Examples: Who was the king of Egypt? What is the Great Wall of China? Where is Mohenjo Daro? When were the pyramids built?

5. Is a FACT question a good essential research question? No.

6. How & Why Questions Not a simple, one-word answer The answer often explains a process or comparison Still has a “correct” answer that you can look up Examples: How were mummies made? How do cats in Egypt compare to cows in India?

7. Is a HOW & WHY question a good essential research question? No.

8. Opinion Questions They make you take a stand… …and support your opinion with evidence …and support your opinion with evidence from your research from your research There is no “correct” answer Someone could disagree with your answer and argue against it

9. Opinion Questions Examples: What is the most important contribution of Ancient China? Why was there only one female pharaoh in Ancient Egypt? Was the caste system good for India?

10. Are OPINION questions good essential research questions? Yes!

11. A good essential research question DRIVES you to ask more FACT questions and HOW & WHY questions. FACT questions and HOW & WHY questions don’t drive you to ask more questions.

12. Let’s take some questions for a test drive! Our research topic is… Medieval Guilds!

13. Let’s try some research with a FACT question. Start your engine…. What is a stereotype? Bummer! You ran out of gas before you even got started! Do you need to know the answers to other questions before you can answer this one?

14. How about a HOW & WHY question? What were the steps that a student followed in order to become buy lunch in the cafeteria? Do you need to know the answer to any other questions in order to answer this one? That was a little longer trip, but still not very exciting…

15. How about an opinion question… What is our responsibility in school to promote unity between different groups? Do you need to know the answers to other questions before you can answer this one? Look at him go!

16. Is your question a good essential research question? Give it the test! 1.Do you need to answer additional FACT and HOW & WHY questions before you can answer your essential question? 2.Does it ask you to state your opinion? (Could someone argue with your answer?)

17. 1.Do you need to answer additional FACT and HOW & WHY questions before you can answer your essential question? 2.Does it ask you to state your opinion? (Could someone argue with your answer?) If you can answer “yes” to both of these questions, you’ve probably created a good essential research question!

18. Now try some on your own! Wheeeeee!

19. Hypothetical Questions They make you think about something that hasn’t happened… …and predict what might happen …and predict what might happen The answer includes your opinion based on your research There is no “correct” answer Someone could disagree with your answer and argue against it

20. Hypothetical Questions Examples: With such high unemployment, could we be headed towards a new phase of feudalism? If the U.S. supply of oil suddenly ended, how would it affect car companies?

21. Are HYPOTHETICAL questions good essential research questions? Yes!

22. Now let’s try a hypothetical question! With so many? Do you need to answer some other questions before you can answer this one? That’s a winner!