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2021-22 - H. Eng. 12 - Purple Hibiscus Cultural Context : Day Two: Opening Activity

Day Two Learning Targets

Day Two Learning Targets:

  • Today I will finalize my topic and conduct targeted research in order to gather information for my paper. 
  • I'll know I'm successful when I know how and where to find reliable and credible information, gather scholarly sources, and learn enough to create my annotated bibliography, note cards, and research paper using Noodletools. 

Opening Activity

Purpose: Earlier this week, you completed an activity in class where you connected your thematic observations of Purple Hibiscus to aspects of contextual context. Today we will revisit your research question, consider how you might tighten the question for this assignment, then generate a list of key words to use for today's research session. 

Directions: 

  1. Read the information about research questions to the right of this page.
  2. Workshop Your Research Question:
    • With your table, workshop the first draft of your research question. Talk about all the aspects of a solid research question and provide feedback regarding improvement suggestions and recommendations. 
    • Repeat this process for each person's question. 
  3. Key Word Mind Map:
    • Individually, write your revised research question in the center of the paper (supplied by the librarian).
    • Class Example: Discuss one research question, using it as an example for the mind map activity. 
    • Write down as many relevant key words, relating to your research question, as possible (these words will express the most important concepts of your research question). Feel free to ask for feedback from a partner. 
      • Rather than limiting yourself to the most obvious words, attempt to fill the paper with synonyms and related terminology.
      • Use words that reflect subject matter only, not comparative words (like impact or effect). 

Research Questions

What's the Purpose of a Research Question? 

The research question is the heart of your essay.  It is not the same as your topic. Instead, the research question is what you want to find out about that topic.  It asks you to do more than just list your answers.  It forces you to take a stand, develop an argument and defend your position. (International Baccalaureate Organization)

A Good Research Question is...

Analytical: Answering the question requires you to prove a point and provide evidence, not just answer yes or no. Ask a question that will require you to explain or defend your answer. 

Arguable: There is more than one side to the issue OR there are multiple valid answers to the question.  There is not one right answer to the question; you could construct a variety of arguments that are valid in response to the question. 

Researchable: You can find enough valid, credible, and authoritative material as evidence to support your claims.

Focused: The question is broad enough to give you plenty to discuss but narrow enough to allow you to do a thorough job. Consider the page requirements for your assignment; ask a question you can tackle within that page limit. 

Based on  AARF, created by Jeri Hurd, Green Sky Library