This document provides guidance on defining a task or problem by asking essential questions. It advises asking questions about the assignment, what needs to be known, and what the problem is. Essential questions probe for deeper meaning and set the stage for further inquiry. They should be open-ended, non-judgmental, meaningful and purposeful. The document also lists techniques for identifying topics like brainstorming, concept maps, and reviewing background materials. It suggests using a graphic organizer to identify the main topic and related ideas.

1. Task Definition
Step #1

2.  What is the Internet?

3. 1. Task Definition
 1.1 Define the problem
 1.2 Identify the information needed (to
solve the problem)
 What’s the task?
 What types of information do I need?

4. For the best answers,
ask tough questions.
 What is my assignment?
 What do I need to know?
 What am I interested in?
 What am I supposed to learn?
 What is my problem?
 What am I being asked to do?

5. Asking ESSENTIAL questions
 Questions that probe for deeper meaning
and set the stage for further questioning.
 The inquiry on which research is founded,
sometimes called the central question or
research question.
Fairfield Ward High School. (200&0. Glossary. Retrieved December 13, 2007, from
http://www.fairfield.k12.ct.us/wardehs/cwardehs03/glossary.htm

6.  major issues
 problems
 concerns
 interests
 themes relevant
 good essential questions are open-ended,
non-judgmental, meaningful and
purposeful

7. Task Definition Chart
 Task Definition Chart

8. Identifying Topics
Concept Maps
Brainstorming
Webbing
Graphic Organizers
Journaling
Reading Background Information
text, journals, lecture notes,
communicating with your professor

9. Identify Your Main Focus
 Television
 Children

10. Exploring Your Topic
 Who?
 What?
 When?
 Where?
 Why?
 How?

11. But What Do You Really Want?
Use a graphic organizer to
identify your main topic
(center circle) & related
ideas (outer circles)

12. The “Final” Topic
 Identifying Keywords