Approaches to Writing - Phase 2: Question
What is a question? You already know the importance of asking questions. Every day, you routinely ask questions to learn directions to a friend's house, to find the best restaurant to eat pancakes, or to get a better idea what your boss wants you to do at work. In terms of writing a research paper, a question can be a helpful device to further narrow your topic. A question helps you pinpoint a particular concern you want to investigate.

Photo of Mt. Everst

For instance, consider once again the topic "amateur mountain climbing on Mt. Everest." One student might be interested in researching the fairness of prohibiting amateur climbers on Mt. Everest. That student would pose the following question: "Should amateur mountain climbers be prohibited from climbing Mt. Everest?" Another student might be more interested in the practicality of prohibiting amateur mountain climbers: "How would amateur mountain climbers be stopped from climbing Mt. Everest?" A much different paper would result from each question. Begin now by generating a list of potential questions for your research paper.

Examples of questions Here are some other questions developed from a different topic, "The effect of anti-gang laws on non-gang youth."

Why do lawmakers include physical descriptions of gang members in laws intended to curtail violent gang activity?
How do laws that aim to decrease violent gang activity contribute to a stereotyping, or persecution, of non-gang African-Americans or Hispanics?
Why are non-gang youth in some cities more greatly affected by anti-gang laws than non-gang youth in other cities?
Why are non-gang youth from some ethnic groups more greatly affected by anti-gang laws than non-gang youth from other ethnic groups?
Why are the physical descriptions of gang members contained in anti-gang laws often misinterpreted?
How do police officers contribute to the mistaken application of anti-gang laws?
How do police officers help to prevent the mistaken application of anti-gang laws?
Why does the public permit anti-gang laws to be mistakenly applied to non-gang youth?
How do physical descriptions of gang members found in anti-gang laws compare to actual profiles of gang members kept by the police?
How does the language of anti-gang laws contribute to the mistaken application of these laws?
How has the media contributed to public perception about anti-gang laws being mistakenly applied to non-gang youth?

Any questions or comments for Kenn?
Where do I go next?
Go to "Assignment 2A" to develop a list of potential questions.

Web Architect: Michael L. Geiger
Content by Kenn Pierson
Created 2.2.98 -
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URL: www.kjpierson.com/TEACHING/ENG101