The Research Question

A research question guides and centers your research. It should be clear and focused, as well as synthesize multiple sources to present your unique argument. Even if your instructor has given you a specific assignment, the research question should ideally be something that you are interested in or care about. Be careful to avoid the “all about” paper and questions that can be answered in a few factual statements.

The answer to a good research question will often be the THESIS of your research paper! And the results of your research may not always be what you expected them to be. Not only is this ok, it can be an indication that you are doing careful work!

Why did Miller write The Crucible?“ How was witchcraft viewed in 17th century New England? What caused The Salem Witch Trials? In the 1940s and 1950s, why did the HUAC go after people who worked in Hollywood? Why did the Puritans become dissatisfied with the Church of England in the early 1600s and choose to immigrate to the New World? What was the impact felt by those who were on the list and accused? How did the belief in "Predestination" affect the way in which the Puritans lived? What social conditions made such a thing as the Salem witch trials possible? What role did grudges and personal rivalries play in the witch trial hysteria? How do the witch trials empower individuals who were previously powerless?

BUT FIRST! WE WILL BREAK DOWN THE TOPICS

Question Your Answer 1. What am I being asked to do? 2. What am I expected to cover in this paper? 3. From which perspective am I being asked to write this paper? 4. Who is my audience? 5. What type of text am I being asked to write? What do I know about this genre? 6. Does the prompt ask me to use sources? If so, what sources do should I use? 7. Does the prompt tell me to focus on a specific text/topic? 8. Are there clues in the prompt that will help me organize my paper?

Question Your Answer 1. What am I being asked to do? 2. What am I expected to cover in this paper? 3. From which perspective am I being asked to write this paper? 4. Who is my audience? 5. What type of text am I being asked to write? What do I know about this genre? 6. Does the prompt ask me to use sources? If so, what sources do should I use? 7. Does the prompt tell me to focus on a specific text/topic? 8. Are there clues in the prompt that will help me organize my paper?

Question Your Answer 1. What am I being asked to do? 2. What am I expected to cover in this paper? 3. From which perspective am I being asked to write this paper? 4. Who is my audience? 5. What type of text am I being asked to write? What do I know about this genre? 6. Does the prompt ask me to use sources? If so, what sources do should I use? 7. Does the prompt tell me to focus on a specific text/topic? 8. Are there clues in the prompt that will help me organize my paper?

Question Your Answer 1. What am I being asked to do? 2. What am I expected to cover in this paper? 3. From which perspective am I being asked to write this paper? 4. Who is my audience? 5. What type of text am I being asked to write? What do I know about this genre? 6. Does the prompt ask me to use sources? If so, what sources do should I use? 7. Does the prompt tell me to focus on a specific text/topic? 8. Are there clues in the prompt that will help me organize my paper?

Question Your Answer 1. What am I being asked to do? 2. What am I expected to cover in this paper? 3. From which perspective am I being asked to write this paper? 4. Who is my audience? 5. What type of text am I being asked to write? What do I know about this genre? 6. Does the prompt ask me to use sources? If so, what sources do should I use? 7. Does the prompt tell me to focus on a specific text/topic? 8. Are there clues in the prompt that will help me organize my paper?

-Use the handout to help with formulating your research question. -Turn in your research question before leaving.

In order to help outline your paper, create supporting sentences for your research question.

Topic Arthur Miller Who was Arthur Miller? (Provide background information.) Why did Miller write The Crucible? Research Question

Topic The Red Scare What was The Red Scare? (Provide background information.) Why were Americans scared of Communism? What lead to The Red Scare? Research Question

Topic Salem Witch Trials What were the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and 1693? How was witchcraft viewed in 17th century New England? What caused The Salem Witch Trials? Research Question

Topic Blacklisting in the 1940s and 1950s What is the blacklist? What was the impact felt by those who were on the list and accused? People from which fields and/or careers were on the blacklists? Why? The witnesses who were subpoenaed to testify at the trials faced what dilemma? Research Question

Topic Why Puritans Left England What was the religious climate in England in the early 1600s? Why did the Puritans become dissatisfied with the Church of England in the early 1600s? Why did the Puritans choose to immigrate to the New World? What was the “Doctrine of Predestination” and how did this impact the daily lives of the Puritans? Why did the Puritans leave England? Research Question

Topic: Arthur Miller Research Question: Are events from Arthur Miller’s life present in the play? Research Questions: What was Arthur Miller’s childhood like? Does any of that show up in The Crucible? Why did Miller write The Crucible? How did people receive the play? What was Miller’s professional life like? What happened after he wrote the play? How did his life change? Or did it stay the same?

Topic: The Red Scare Research Question: How did the red scare affect the play, The Crucible? Research Questions: What is the red scare? Why did Americans fear communism? How does the red scare compare to the events in the play? Who was affected by the red scare? When did the red scare happen? Why did the red scare happen?

Topic: Puritans Leaving England Research Question: Why did the Puritans leave England? Research Questions: What is the Puritan religion? What was religious practice like in England? What would make the Puritans leave England? What are the beliefs and values of the Puritan religion? How was the Puritan religion treated in England?

Topic: Witchcraft Research Question: Why are witches feared? Research Questions: How is a witch defined? What are the practices of witchcraft? Are there different practices of witchcraft? Why do people fear those who practice witchcraft? Has anyone who practiced witchcraft been arrested or jailed? Why?

“Develop Research Questions.” Modesto Junior College. 15 Aug Web. 11 Oct “Sample Topic Questions.” Tom March: Thesis Builder. Ed. Tom March. N.p., Jan Web. 11 Oct “What Makes a Good Research Question?” Writing Studio. Duke University. Web. 11 Oct

five Using the examples as a guide, develop your research question and five supporting questions.