08.+Choosing+a+Topic

= Choosing a topic for your Extended Essay =

Your Extended Essay topic should be:

 * from a subject area in which you feel confident
 * something with which you are already familiar
 * something you care about deeply
 * "rich", i.e. controversial, debatable, researchable

Choose one of the following topics for a practice essay:

 * Is the Death Penalty effective and moral?
 * What is the ideal purpose of school?
 * Is child labor acceptable in the 21st century?
 * Is it fair to expect developing nations to adhere to first world pollution standards?
 * What role should modern countries play in finding solutions to world hunger?
 * How and why do the roles of women differ in various Islamic countries?

From the topic you chose, write a research question. You'll know you've got it right when:
 * It involves an issue, not just a topic.
 * You are pretty sure it can be researched i.e. it is not just an opinion, there is data somewhere about it.
 * It is neither too broad nor too narrow.
 * You are confident that you will be able to access sources of relevant information.

To make sure that you're on the right track, work through the steps and exercises for research question development at the Empire State College's Research Room

Once you are sure, post your reseach question on the discussion board. I will evaluate it from there.