Crafting Effective Research Questions and Thesis Statements

Ellen explains the importance of research questions and thesis statements in academic essays. Academic essays focus on addressing problems or questions rather than just topics. Identifying significant and interesting research questions involves finding a knowledge gap and ensuring the question is debatable. A good research question leads to a claim that can be argued for or against. Thesis statements present the author's position and guide the essay's development, serving as a roadmap for the reader.

What is the primary focus of academic essays compared to other types of essays?

• Describing personal experiences

• Listing historical events

• Dealing with problems or questions

• Addressing general topics

When identifying research questions, what should you consider about your target audience?

• Their interest in the questions

• Their geographical location

• Their educational background

• Their age

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What makes a research question significant?

• It is easy to answer

• It is a common fact

• It is new to the audience

• It can be answered by an encyclopedia

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What is a characteristic of a good research question?

• It is a well-known fact

• It is debatable

• It is simple

• It is easily answered

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Why is a question like 'What were the events in the Wars of the Roses?' not considered problematic?

• It is too complex

• It is not interesting

• It can be answered by listing facts

• It is too controversial

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Which of the following is an example of a non-debatable question?

• What is the capital city of Denmark?

• What are the causes of climate change?

• How does social media impact mental health?

• What are the benefits of exercise?

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What is another term for the central idea of an essay?

• Introduction

• Conclusion

• Thesis statement

• Body paragraph

What does a thesis statement predict in an essay?

• The writing style

• The number of references

• The scope, purpose, and direction

• The length of the essay

How does a strong thesis statement benefit the reader?

• It includes personal opinions

• It summarizes the entire essay

• It lists all the sources

• It provides a clear roadmap

What should a thesis statement be backed up by?

• Personal opinions

• Anecdotes

• Evidence

• Assumptions