Question Quest

Creating “Researchable” or “Effective” Questions to Drive Your Research

Get a clear idea of what you have to do.

What questions do I need to ask to get the right information?

Great research is driven by great

questions.Boring questions produce boring

answers.Boring answers put

readers to sleep.Simple lists of facts

are a bit like dry cereal . . .

no milk . . . no fruit . . . no taste!

Researchable or Effective Questions Are “Open-

ended”

- lead to asking other questions-have more than a one word answer-have more than one right answer-require effort and deep research-lead to multiple perspectives-keep you thinking

-could lead to controversy/debate

The Question Game

-Two players -One person starts with an open-ended question, then the other person responds with a related open-ended question. -This goes back and forth as long as you can continue without making a statement or repeating a previous question.

The Question Game Light Bulb1. Why is it important to have light?

2. Where does light come from?

3. How does light help people?

4. Where is light used? Does every country have electricity?

5. What would happen if there were no light?

6. Compare a halogen bulb to an incandescent bulb

See How Many “Open-Ended” Questions You and Your Partner Can Create. Write Them on Your Paper.

Qualities of A Great Person

1. Focus 2. Preparedness 3. Conviction 4. Perseverance 5. Creativity 6. Curiosity 7. Resilience 8. Risk taking 9. Independence 10.A sense of higher purpose

Possible thoughts when researching an important person…

• Which of these qualities apply to the person you have chosen to study?

• Which of these qualities apply to you in your own life?

• Can a person develop these qualities?

Effective Questions

• In what ways was the person’s life remarkable?

• In what ways was the person’s life despicable?

Effective Questions• In what ways was the

person’s life admirable? • What human qualities

were most influential in shaping the way ________ lived and influenced his or her times?

Effective Questions• Which quality or trait proved most troubling and difficult?

• Which quality or trait was most beneficial?

Effective Questions• Did this person make any major

mistakes or bad decisions? If so, what were they and how would you have chosen and acted differently if you were in their shoes?

• What are the two or three most important lessons you or any other young person might learn from the way this person lived?

Effective Questions• Some people say you can judge the

quality of a person's life by the enemies they make. Do you think this is true of your person's life? Explain why or why not.

• An older person or mentor is often very important in shaping the lives of gifted people by providing guidance and encouragement. To what extent was this true of your person? Explain.

Effective Questions• Many people act out of a "code" or a set

of beliefs which dictate choices. It may be religion or politics or a personal philosophy. To what extent did your person act by a code or act independently of any set of beliefs? Were there times when the code was challenged and impossible to follow?

• What do you think it means to be a hero? Was your person a "hero?" Why? Why not? How is a hero different from a celebrity?

Effective Questions• What were the 5 most

distinguishing characteristics of _______ and how did they contribute to his or her success or failure?

• What made __________ great or not so great?

• What are the 2-3 most important things you learned about __________ that might help you in your life?

What Do You Already Know

About Your Topic?

What Information

Will You Need To

Know or Want To Know About

Your Topic?

Already Know About Topic Need To Know or Want To Know Information

A Good Thesis Statement

Declares What You Believe And What You Intend

To Prove

A Good Thesis Statement

Proves A PointClearly States Your Own Conclusions

Based On Evidence