Inquiry Project: Overview
Requirements: Each student must …
1. “Read” and annotate 5 sources. An annotation worksheet is provided and should be used to complete each of the five annotations. Each annotation will be submitted as each source is completed.
• Read a total of three books by year’s end: 1 nonfiction book (reference, topical, etc.), 1 novel (fiction), and 1 memoir (or autobiography or biography).
• Access and “read” two more sources: an informational website, a play, a blog, an article (online or print), a poetry collection, a movie or film, a TV show, a graphic novel, or another book from one of the required genres listed above.
2. Submit a one-page, typed proposal that includes the following: (sample attached) Due: __________
• The topic of your inquiry (nature, science, relationships, self-image, soccer)
• A Guiding Question (or questions) about the topic (e.g., What is mankind’s place in the natural world? What is the impact of science on health? Why are relationships so hard to form and maintain? What can someone do to improve their self-image? Why is soccer more popular in Europe and South America than it is in the US?)
• A rationale (explanation) for why you want to study this topic all year
• A summary of what you already know about the topic at beginning of your inquiry
• A prediction about what you think you will discover or hope to discover during your study
• The titles, authors, and genres of the three books you will read this year*
• A discussion of the relevance of this topic in a bigger context (i.e., the “so what?”)
• Other sources (websites, films, publications) you may consult for more information on your topic*
3. Submit a typed annotated bibliography that includes the following information for all five sources (3 books, 2 other sources): Due: __________
• Title, author, publication information, and pages (i.e. complete and proper MLA citation information for each book).
• Approximately seventy-five (75) words annotating each book or source. An explanatory handout will follow.
• Each annotation will be due when each book is completed, but will also be compiled and submitted on the final due date.
4. Complete 3 Assessments: one for each book.
• In-class essay on your nonfiction (informational) book Due: __________
• In-class essay on your memoir (autobiography or biography) Due: __________
• One Pager on your fiction book Due: __________
5. Complete a multigenre research product: Due: __________
• 10 entries from various genres
• Entries arranged to answer to your Guiding Question
• Explanations (implicit and explicit) that the topic and your findings are relevant and substantive
6. Compose a Final Reflection (to accompany the multigenre research product): Due: __________
• Explain the process of researching and creating your entries and the final product.
• Explain the significance of your topic and findings.
Sample Topics:
These topics have been quite popular for past inquiry projects. Topics with a colon indicate further information needed, such as: Sports: soccer, Music: hip hop, Careers: photography, Hobbies: sky diving
• Drug Abuse
• Child Abuse
• Genocide
• Witchcraft
• Celebrity/stardom
• Friendship
• Loss/Death
• Racism
• Gangs
• Activism/Peace Corps
• Sports:
• Hobbies:
• Careers:
• Animals/Pets:
• Music/Dance:
• Religion:
• Afterlife/Paranormal
• Dictators/Oppression
• Guilt
• Suicide/Depression
• Relationships/True love
*Note: You must read the three books listed on your proposal (of which I will keep a copy); therefore, you must revise your proposal if you change book titles. The sign of a great project is one that is continually being revised and refined. Submit revised proposals ASAP so that book titles can be approved in a timely manner.
Topic Generator
Directions: For each of the following categories, list specific nouns and a word or phrase to describe it.
Examples:
Friends—Monique: bossy and clever, and always there for me
Activities—Dancing: great exercise and makes me feel powerful
Religion—Atheist: sometimes it’s difficult to be different
Movies/TV—Vampire Diaries: romantic and exciting
School—Chemistry: impossible and difficult, but fun to conduct experiments
Friends: _________________________________________________________________________________
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Family: _________________________________________________________________________________
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Religion: ________________________________________________________________________________
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Video games: ____________________________________________________________________________
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Music: _________________________________________________________________________________
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Movies/TV: ______________________________________________________________________________
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Technology: _____________________________________________________________________________
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School: _________________________________________________________________________________
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Activities: _______________________________________________________________________________
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Focusing your Topic: Creating your Guiding Question(s)
Directions: Star the 5 most interesting responses from your Topic Generator. Next, generate a statement about your response. Finally, use the statement to ask an important question.
Examples:
Friends—Monique: bossy and clever, and always there for me
Friendships are based on give and take; no one is perfect!
What makes friendships last?
Activities—Dancing: great exercise and makes me feel powerful
Dancing gives joy, but takes a lot of practice and skill.
What does it take to be a great dancer?
Religion—Atheist: sometimes it’s difficult to be different
Having different beliefs isolates people.
Why can’t people accept each others’ beliefs?
Movies/TV—Vampire Diaries: romantic and exciting
Supernatural romances are so exciting.
Why is this new trendy genre so appealing?
School—Chemistry: impossible and difficult, but fun to conduct experiments
Science is fun but takes a lot of study.
What are the benefits of science and experimentation?
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2.______________________________________________________________________________________
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3.______________________________________________________________________________________
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4.______________________________________________________________________________________
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5.______________________________________________________________________________________
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Choosing your Topic and Guiding Question
Directions: Choose one of the responses above to be your Inquiry Project Topic and Guiding Question. Write it in the space below. Before you can get your teacher’s approval, you must find three books about this topic that will potentially answer your guiding question. These books DO NOT need to be your final choices. This activity is designed to make sure that your topic is broad enough, yet focused enough to be workable.
Topic and Guiding Question(s):
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Book 1 (Nonfiction)
Author: ______________________ Title: ______________________________________________________
Book 2 (Fiction)
Author: ______________________ Title: ______________________________________________________
Book 3 (Memoir)
Author: ______________________ Title: ______________________________________________________
Teacher approval: _________________________________________________________________________
Book Search
Note: Try the following websites in your search for great books on your topic. You will have the best luck by starting with one good book title on your topic. But never fear! Even if you have no clue where to begin, these sites will get you started … just type your topic in the search bar.
Book Search Sites:
WhichBook - http://www.openingthebook.com/whichbook/
LibraryThing - http://www.librarything.com/suggest
What Should I Read Next? http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/
GoogleBooks - http://books.google.com/advanced_book_search
Online Libraries: (if you use your local library website, you can even reserve the book online)
UCSB - http://www.library.ucsb.edu/node/811
University of Vermont - http://library.uvm.edu/guides/books/topic.php
Queens College - http://library.qc.cuny.edu/research/tutorials/booksearching/topicsearch.php
Booksellers: (you don’t have to buy your books from them to use their searches and recommendations)
Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/subjects/subjects.asp
Amazon Advanced Search - http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Search-Books/b?node=241582011