Unpacking the QuestionUnpacking the QuestionLook for the Key words in the question Look for the Key words in the question to help you decide on the approach you to help you decide on the approach you should take.should take.

Key words includeKey words include:: Topic WordsTopic Words highlight the major highlight the major concepts in the assessment.concepts in the assessment. Directive wordsDirective words give directions to the give directions to the approach you should take, and the kind approach you should take, and the kind of response required in the assignment of response required in the assignment (e.g. ‘examine’, ‘analyse’, ‘compare’).(e.g. ‘examine’, ‘analyse’, ‘compare’). Limiting wordsLimiting words limit the scope of limit the scope of your research and writing; set your research and writing; set boundaries.boundaries.

For exampleFor example

Turning Your Topic into a QuestionTurning Your Topic into a Question

Helps byHelps by::

Guiding your reading and therefore research Guiding your reading and therefore research more effectively;more effectively;

Organizing your material more efficiently; Organizing your material more efficiently; andand

Planning an overall argument in response to Planning an overall argument in response to the topic.the topic.

Example:Example: What were the environmental What were the environmental effects of the Tsunami in 2004? effects of the Tsunami in 2004? (primary (primary question)question)

Secondary QuestionsSecondary Questions

In order to answer the primary question, you will also In order to answer the primary question, you will also need to consider other questions, both need to consider other questions, both DescriptiveDescriptive and and Analytical.Analytical.

Descriptive questionsDescriptive questions (where? when? who? what?) (where? when? who? what?) provide background or contextual information.provide background or contextual information.

Analytical questionsAnalytical questions (how? why? to what extent?) (how? why? to what extent?) help to show a deeper understanding of the topic, and help to show a deeper understanding of the topic, and generally assist you in developing an analytical generally assist you in developing an analytical response to the assignment.response to the assignment.

ExampleExampleAssignment TopicAssignment Topic : :Discuss the environmental effects of the 2004 Discuss the environmental effects of the 2004

tsunami in Asiatsunami in Asia..Primary QuestionPrimary Question: : What were the environmental effects of the What were the environmental effects of the

2004 tsunami in Asia?2004 tsunami in Asia?Secondary Descriptive QuestionsSecondary Descriptive Questions (examples): (examples): What happened? What happened? Where did it happen (which countries)? Where did it happen (which countries)? What is meant by ‘environmental effects'?What is meant by ‘environmental effects'? What environmental effects occurred?What environmental effects occurred?Secondary Analytical Questions Secondary Analytical Questions (examples)(examples) Why did these effects occur?Why did these effects occur? To what extent were these effects experienced by all Asian To what extent were these effects experienced by all Asian

countries?countries? If there were differences in effect, why were there differences? If there were differences in effect, why were there differences?

Working ThesisWorking Thesis

More or less a temporary thesisMore or less a temporary thesis Serves as a planning toolServes as a planning tool Helps determine the paper’s focusHelps determine the paper’s focus Guides the writer’s investigation into the subject and Guides the writer’s investigation into the subject and

suggests questions, problems and strategiessuggests questions, problems and strategies Anticipates questions about the topicAnticipates questions about the topic

Bad examplesBad examples

Computer crime is bad.Computer crime is bad.

Fisheries around the world are important.Fisheries around the world are important.

Both are statements of fact. Both are statements of fact.

BETTERBETTER

There are many controversial ways of dealing There are many controversial ways of dealing with computer crime.with computer crime.

There are many things that could be done to There are many things that could be done to preserve fisheries around the world.preserve fisheries around the world.

Although better, they are still vague and Although better, they are still vague and something most people would accept something most people would accept as fact.as fact.

Better still butBetter still but

ThisThis essay will be about the role computer essay will be about the role computer hackers play in computer crime committed hackers play in computer crime committed on the internet.on the internet.

This essay will discuss some of the This essay will discuss some of the measures the international community measures the international community should take in order to preserve fisheries should take in order to preserve fisheries around the world.around the world.

Although better, they still do not Although better, they still do not offer an opinion or a position that offer an opinion or a position that can be defended.can be defended.

Now we’re talkingNow we’re talking

While some computer hackers are While some computer hackers are harmless, most of them commit serious harmless, most of them commit serious computer crimes and represent a serious computer crimes and represent a serious internet security problem.internet security problem.

The international community should enact The international community should enact strict conservation measures to preserve strict conservation measures to preserve fisheries and save endangered fish species fisheries and save endangered fish species around the world.around the world.

SummarySummary

Remember that your working thesis is likely Remember that your working thesis is likely to change based on the research you do.to change based on the research you do.

For example: What if during your research For example: What if during your research you find out that many computer hackers you find out that many computer hackers can be very helpful in preventing computer can be very helpful in preventing computer crimes. You might shift your focus.crimes. You might shift your focus.

Example: While many hackers commit Example: While many hackers commit serious computer crimes and represent a serious computer crimes and represent a serious Internet security problem, they can serious Internet security problem, they can also help law enforcement officials to also help law enforcement officials to solve and prevent crime. solve and prevent crime.

An OutlineAn Outline

Aids in the process of writing Aids in the process of writing Helps you organize your ideas Helps you organize your ideas Presents your material in a logical form Presents your material in a logical form Shows the relationships among ideas in your writing Shows the relationships among ideas in your writing Constructs an ordered overview of your writing Constructs an ordered overview of your writing Defines boundaries and groupsDefines boundaries and groups

How do I create an outline?How do I create an outline?

Determine the purpose of your paper. Determine the purpose of your paper.

Determine the audience you are Determine the audience you are writing for. writing for.

Develop the thesis of your paper. Develop the thesis of your paper.

Then:Then:

BrainstormBrainstorm: List all the ideas that : List all the ideas that you want to include in your paper. you want to include in your paper.

OrganizeOrganize: Group related ideas : Group related ideas together. together.

OrderOrder: Arrange material in : Arrange material in subsections from general to subsections from general to specific or from abstract to specific or from abstract to concrete. concrete.

LabelLabel: Create main and sub : Create main and sub headings.headings.