Compelling and Supporting Questions
Aligned to C3.D1 — C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.
What this lesson teaches
A compelling question is broad and debatable, inviting real investigation into an important civic or economic issue, and it usually has no single obvious answer. Supporting questions are narrower and factual, and their answers build the evidence needed to address the compelling question. Good inquiry starts by framing these questions clearly before gathering any sources.
Worked example
The compelling question 'Should voting be mandatory?' can be supported by factual questions such as 'What is the current U.S. voter turnout rate?' and 'How does compulsory voting work in Australia?'
Practice questions
- Explain the difference between a compelling question and a supporting question.
- Turn the topic 'minimum wage' into one compelling question and two supporting questions.
- Analyze why a strong compelling question should be debatable rather than have one obvious answer.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Preguntas rectoras y de apoyo
Una pregunta rectora es amplia y debatible, invita a una investigación real sobre un tema cívico o económico importante y, por lo general, no tiene una sola respuesta obvia. Las preguntas de apoyo son más específicas y factuales, y sus respuestas construyen la evidencia necesaria para abordar la pregunta rectora. Una buena indagación comienza por plantear estas preguntas con claridad antes de reunir cualquier fuente.
Ejemplo: La pregunta rectora '¿Debería ser obligatorio votar?' puede apoyarse en preguntas factuales como '¿Cuál es la tasa actual de participación electoral en Estados Unidos?' y '¿Cómo funciona el voto obligatorio en Australia?'.
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