Identifying an Issue

To determine if a topic is an issue, it must meet the following four criteria.

1. Multiple possible answers
There cannot be just one correct answer.  An issue is a problem or belief that has many different opinions, and each person believes his or her opinion is right.

2. Be researchable
For a topic to be identified as an issue, it must have many published opinions and information.  A good test is to check the internet to see what is available.

3. Significant beyond the neighborhood
Most issues have importance to a large group of people and a wide area of influence.  Many issues are significant to a national or worldwide audience.

4. High interest to students
Students must see their role in the issue; they must see that it will affect them in some way.

Using a Question

A simpler way of looking at an issue is to form a question for students to research.

A question directs research and makes it more meaningful than a topic.

Students may research a topic such as horses.  A topic encourages copying large amount of information from the internet or books.  Changing the topic to a question such as,  “What role does the horse play today that is different from the time that was prior to the wide use of automobiles?" A question encourages students to read information and look for information that is relevant to the question.  In doing this, research becomes more meaningful.