Grade 6 · Writing · Lesson 17

Choose a research question and sub-questions

Great research begins with a great question. A broad topic like "climate change" is not a research question — it is just a subject area. A research question is specific, focused, and answerable through reading, observing, or interviewing. It gives your research a clear direction and tells you exactly what you are trying to find out.

What this lesson teaches

1Distinguish between a broad topic and a focused, researchable research question
2Write a focused research question that is specific and answerable through research
3Develop three to five sub-questions that guide the research process
4Evaluate whether a research question is too broad, too narrow, or appropriately focused

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