Research Essay 02

Creating a Question
Now that you have been assigned an Essay Supervisor, the next step is to create a question for your
essay.
Choosing the right question is important. Remember that an Essay is ultimately about answering a
question and arguing for your answer. So how you phrase your question will have consequences. If
your question is too broad, you won’t be able to answer it within the word limit (1750-2250 words); if it is
worded poorly, then you may struggle to make a coherent argument.

To make sure that you understand the requirements of a good Research Essay question, you will need to
fill out a form. This will include four parts:
2x broad topics,
2x questions for each topic,
2x potential thesis statements for each question,
1x supervisor approved question.

Interrogative Questions: These include interrogative words like who, what, when, where, how, why, etc.
What is the most significant factor in (x)? • “The most significant factor in (x), is (b).”

How did (x) cause (y)? • “(x) caused (y) in three main ways; (a), (b) and (c).”

Who had the greater influence on (z): • “While (y) had a major influence on (z), (x) had a much
(y) or (x)? greater influence.”

Questions of Extent: These ask how far you agree with a claim.
To what extent do you agree with the
following statement: ‘(z)’? • “’(z)’ is highly unlikely.”

To what extent is (y) a consequence of (x)? • “(y) is only partially a consequence of (x).”

Command-Term Questions: These are not technically questions (they are imperatives), but they act like
a question (ie. you could potentially answer them using a thesis statement)

Compare and Contrast (x) & (y). • “(x) & (y) have some similarities, but they also have a
number of key differences.”

Discuss (x) with reference to (z). • “While (x) is famously influential, the role of (z) in (x) is
often overlooked.”

Tips:
• Don’t just write in the first questions that pop into your head. Brainstorm a number of potential
questions, then select the questions that you like best.
• Research! Sometimes, conducting initial research will help you narrow down the exact things that you
find interesting.
• Think through what the answers might be. Every essay needs to have a central thesis statement (and
propositions that support the thesis). Once you have brainstormed questions, write out a number
of thesis statements that could answer the question. If you struggle to come up with a few thesis
statements, it is probably not a great question.
• Ask others for help. Many brains are better than one- talking to others about your areas of interest
might prompt questions. Even just looking at others’ questions might help you create similar ones.
• Talk to your supervisor. This is why they are there- to help you!
Research Essay 02 Research Essay 02
Creating a Question Creating a Question
1. Pick your two favorite topics Student: Vincent Mondin
2. Create two questions for each
3. Provide a few thesis statements that could potentially answer each question.
4. Take this sheet to your subject supervisor
5. Negotiate which question you would like to do. Topic 1: How real and/or important events can stimulate writers to have text ideas
6. Return this sheet to Mr O’Brien by the due-date set on Google Classrooms.

Question Do writers have a different mindset to connect real to fictional?

EXAMPLE: Research Essay 02 1A:
Creating a Question
Potential Thesis - Writers connect reality to fiction
Student: Bilbo Baggins Statements:

Topic 1: Women Pirates

Question Can writers use real events and implement them into their story?
Question Ching Shih is widely considered to be the most successful pirate in History. 1B:
1A: To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Potential Thesis • Ching Shih was the most successful pirate in History. Potential Thesis - Writers use real events to base their story.
Statements: • Ching Shih was not the most successful Pirate in History. Statements:

Question What were the most significant causes for women becoming Pirates?
1B:

Potential Thesis • The most significant causes for women becoming pirates were poverty and harsh Topic 2: the importance of old english literature to today’s
Statements: punishments for minor crimes.
• While there were many causes of womens’ piracy, the main cause was being married to
a male pirate.
Question how could have old english literature impact the ways writers tell their stories?
2A:
Topic 2: Spiderman Comics
Potential Thesis - Writers reflect on old literature to develop their story.
Statements:
Question What are/is the most influential edition/s of “The Amazing Spiderman”?
2A:

Potential Thesis • The most influential edition of “The Amazing Spiderman” is #4 (1965).
Statements: • The most influential editions of “The Amazing Spiderman” are editions containing The
Green Goblin. Question how can old literature make students learn about the history of the english language?
2B:

Question Why was The Amazing Spiderman’s ‘Clone Saga’ storyline considered so controversial? Potential Thesis - Students learn from reflecting based on old literature.
2B:
Statements:
Potential Thesis • The ‘Clone Saga’ storyline was considered controversial for two main reasons: printing
Statements: errors and racist jokes.
• There are some reasons why ‘The Clone Saga’ story is considered controversial, but
the main reason is failure of the 1978 movie ‘Spiderclone’.

Supervisor Can writers use real events and implement them into their story?
Supervisor Does Ching Shih deserve the title of ‘the most successful pirate in History’? Approved
Approved
Question: Question:

Supervisor Mr O’Brien Supervisor Vanessa Benaci

Signature:
Signature: