Developing an Essential Question Mrs Bovino Library Essential
Developing an Essential Question Mrs. Bovino Library
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….
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
How do I structure my Essential Question? �Must start with How or Why �Must be a Comparison or Cause/Effect Question
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
Comparison Guiding Questions �Sample Question: How does Theodora compare to Michelle Obama? �Define the 2 items being compared � 1 st guiding question. Ex. Who was Theodora? Who is M. Obama? (Background information) �Define the additional criteria being researched � 2 nd guiding question. Ex. What were Theodora’s beliefs? What are Michelle Obama’s beliefs? � 3 rd guiding question. Ex. What were Theodora’s contributions to women’s rights? What are Obama’s contributions to public programs and government?
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!
Cause/Affect Question �Ex. How did democratic thought affect common people? �Choose 3 effects to discuss �Examples: �Work �Education �Family �Leisure �Freedom �Rights
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.
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
Are these good essential questions? �Who was Alexander the Great? �What was the Battle of Tours?
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