Foundation Year Program

Refining an Essay Question

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Lesson Aims
By the end of the lesson you will
know how to refine the essay
question for your Preparatory
Project.

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Preparatory Project
The broad topic for the Preparatory Project
is:

CLEAN ENERGY
Discuss with your partner what you know
about this topic.

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Clean Energy
As you have seen in your reading and
listening class, clean energy is a broad topic
covering different aspects. These may
include:
Humanities and Social Science
Physics/Engineering
Biology/Chemistry
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Step 1
Analyse the title
Identify the topic (T)
Identify the instruction word or task (T)
Identify any controlling ideas (CI)

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Analyse the following questions:

1. The number of elderly people in the world
is increasing. What problems could this lead
to and how should governments deal with
this situation? Discuss with reference to at
least one specific country.

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Analyse the following questions:

1. The number of elderly people in the world
is increasing. What problems could this lead
to and how should governments deal with
this situation? Discuss with reference to at
least one specific country.

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Analyse the following questions:

2. Piracy of films and music is a growing
problem. Evaluate measures which can be
taken by governments and companies in
order to resolve this.

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Analyse the following questions:

2. Piracy of films and music is a growing
problem. Evaluate measures which can be
taken by governments and companies in
order to resolve this.

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The Preparatory Project Qs

For the preparatory project you will be
expected to narrow your focus and
write your own question based on the
aspect you choose.

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Humanities Q

Identify the topic (T), the instruction word

or task (i) and the controlling idea(s) (Ci).
Should developing countries have the same
responsibilities to reduce CO2 emissions as
developed countries? Discuss with
examples from countries of your choice.

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Humanities Q

Should developing countries have the same

responsibilities to reduce CO2 emissions as
developed countries? Discuss with
examples from countries of your choice.

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Science Q
Identify the topic (T), the instruction word
or task (i) and the controlling idea(s) (Ci).
Can a clean energy source ever replace a
non-renewable energy source? Discuss with
examples from one country.

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Science Q
Can a clean energy source ever replace a
non-renewable energy source? Discuss with
examples from one country.

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Step 2
Brainstorm
Task 1
Choose a question from the particular
aspect you are most interested in and
brainstorm from your current knowledge.
Task 2
Do some background research from the
internet to add to your brainstorm.
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Step 3
Narrowing your focus
A research question is often narrowed by:
What
When
Where
Who
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What?
TOPIC: Clean Energy
Types
Solar Power

Wind
Power

Geothermal
Power

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When?
TOPIC: Clean Energy
Timeframes
Current or
historical view

Period of
life

Since the
1960s
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Where?
TOPIC: Clean Energy
Places
Regions

Countries

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Who?
TOPIC: Clean Energy

Populations
Domestic

Industry

Government

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Humanities Q
Possible refined question:
Should Kazakhstan meet the same CO2
emission reduction targets as the USA by
2020?
Narrowed by Where and When

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Science Qs
Physics
Can solar water heating systems replace
electric immersion heater systems for
domestic use in the UK?
Narrowed by What, Where and Who

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Science Qs
Biology/Chemistry
Can algae biofuel replace diesel for public
transportation in the UK?
Narrowed by What, Where and Who

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Narrowing your focus

1. Narrow your research topic using the
criteria discussed.
2. Discuss your possible topic with your
group. Try to give each other tips or
constructive criticism about their topics.

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Step 4 Answering the Q

Usually when writing at university you are
required to take a position and support this
position with claims and evidence.
You cannot just describe something. You
need to analyse both sides of an argument
and evaluate their strengths and
weaknesses.
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Humanities Q
Should Kazakhstan meet the same CO 2
emissions reduction targets as the USA?
What is the question asking you to do?

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Humanities Q
This question is asking you to take a
position and use arguments to defend this
point of view.
Remember you need to be objective and
consider both sides of the argument.

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Humanities Q
YES they should have the same
commitments to reducing CO2 emissions.
NO they should not have the same
commitments to reducing CO2 emissions.
WHY?

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Possible Ideas
Energy is required for economic growth
Developed countries have already seen
increased economic growth at the cost of
environmental damage
Increased cost of transition to clean energy
reduces growth
Global problem without country boundaries
Developing countries could be at the
greatest risk to climate change
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Science Q
Physics
Can solar water heating systems replace
electric immersion heater systems for
domestic use in the UK?
What is the question asking you to do?

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Science Q
This question is asking you to compare a
clean energy source with a non-renewable
source and argue if it has the potential to
replace it.

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Science Q
YES solar water heating systems can replace
electric immersion heater systems for domestic
use in the UK.
NO solar water heating systems cannot replace
electric immersion heater systems for domestic
use in the UK.
WHY?
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Possible Ideas
Cost of solar water heating systems and
electric immersion heater systems
Capital costs of solar water heating systems
and electric immersion heater systems
Performance of solar water heating systems
and electric immersion heater systems
Environmental impacts of solar water
heating systems and electric immersion
heater systems
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Science Q
Biology/Chemistry
Can algae biofuel replace diesel for public
transportation in the UK?
What is the question asking you to do?

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Foundation Year Program

Science Q
This question is asking you to compare a
clean energy source with a non-renewable
source and argue if it has the potential to
replace it.

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Science Q
YES algae biofuel can replace diesel as an
energy source for public transportation in the
UK.
NO algae biofuel can not replace diesel as an
energy source for public transportation in the
UK.
WHY?
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Possible Ideas
Cost of algae biofuel and diesel per litre
Capital costs of algae biofuel and diesel
production
Performance of algae biofuel and diesel
Environmental impacts of algae biofuel
and diesel

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Brainstorm
Add any additional ideas to your
brainstorm.

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Step 5 - Working Title

Begin narrowing your chosen
question to produce a working title.

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Preliminary Research
Once you have chosen a possible title you
need to begin some preliminary research to
make sure there is enough academic
research material to complete your project.

Homework Task
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