2. Issues:
• Close-ended, requires a
specific answer
• Could be answered with
one or two sources
• Information required to
answer may not exist
Too Little
3. Example: How big was the readership of the
Nancy Drew series when it was first published?
Issues:
• Close-ended, requires a
specific answer
• Could be answered with
one or two sources
• Information required to
answer may not exist
Too Little
4. Issues:
• Close-ended, requires a
specific answer
• Could be answered with
one or two sources
• Information required to
answer may not exist
Strategies for Improvement:
• Identify themes within the
question (audience and
gender)
• Consider a broader
application of these
themes
Too Little
Example: How big was the readership of the
Nancy Drew series when it was first published?
5. Too Big
Issues:
• The scope of the question
is too broad for a 10-15
page paper
• Might be difficult to
identify specific keywords
6. Issues:
• The scope of the question
is too broad for a 10-15
page paper
• Might be difficult to
identify specific keywords
Example: How has the portrayal of gender in
children’s mystery novels changed over time?
Too Big
7. Example: How has the portrayal of gender in
children’s mystery novels changed over time?
Strategies for Improvement:
• Identify major terms and
brainstorm smaller
keywords
• Do background research
online
• Brainstorm ways to anchor
your question with a
specific issue or text
Too Big
Issues:
• The scope of the question
is too broad for a 10-15
page paper
• Might be difficult to
identify specific keywords
8. Good Qualities:
• Open-ended, leaves room
for new discoveries
• Leaves room for your
close reading and ideas
from outside sources
• Makes unique
connections, is debatable
Just Right
Example: In The Secret of the Old Clock (1959), how does
the character of Nancy Drew embody or critique traditional
roles for women in 1950s America?
Considerations:
• Getting to “just right”
is a process
• Might involve additional
questions
• Might evolve throughout
your research process
