Critical Inquiry on Problems in Higher Education

Essay 3: Critical Inquiry on Problems in Higher Education

An inquiry is an investigation or examination of a specific topic in order to arrive at an answer to a question. For our third essay, you will develop an inquiry question based on any of our class readings related to education, then you will write an essay that uses research to answer the question youve posed. We will also read a couple of new articles, so keep note of problems that pique your curiosity, and begin thinking about questions that you would like to answer.

Examples of questions that weve pursued in past courses:
How can the United States make a college education more affordable to first generation students?
What should community colleges do to help students complete their degrees?
What is the best way for colleges to provide counseling for students who are having mental health crises?

Purpose: To develop your ability to ask and pursue an inquiry question, think critically, take a position on an issue explored in class, and work with sources. Your general audience is your instructor, your peers, and the general community of NIC, but you should also imagine a more specific audience for your ideas.

Resources: Course readings, Molstead Library

Logistics:
First draft due November 19, second draft due November 26, final draft due December 5.
1400+ words
Your essay must synthesize and cite at least three sources, but many students use more than three sources. One source must come from class readings, and the remaining sources should come from outside research.
While it will be expected that you quote or paraphrase from your sources, do not let the quotations or paraphrases overwhelm your own voice and thinking. Aim for less than 10% of your essay to be paraphrase/quotation.
Effective essays will demonstrate the following:
awareness of audience-author-purpose (the rhetorical triangle)
attention to basic essay structure (intro, body, conclusion)
clear focus with directly stated thesis and roadmap
fully developed paragraphs with effective transitions
clear evidence of independent thought and careful consideration of the issues
an ability to use evidence to support ideas
adherence to basic sentence parameters/clarity
correct MLA style and documentation

Bonus Essay Option (an extra activity that can raise your grade):
You must declare your intention to write the bonus essay by the time you turn in the second draft (a simple email to me will do).
1400+ words
Your essay must synthesize and cite at least five sources. At least one source must come from the class readings during the semester, and the other four must come from outside research.
The essay must meet for following criteria for content development:
Thesis is insightful, clearly articulated, and substantiated by ample evidence and explanation.
The writer uses appropriate, relevant, and compelling content to support and illustrate the subject in specific detail and depth.
You must complete ONE of the following (not both):
Attend a tutoring session in the Writing Center.
Write a self-evaluation grading your final draft against the criteria (400-500 words). This evaluation is due at the time of the final draft.

How Do We Ask a Good Inquiry Question?

First and foremost, the question needs to be about something that interests you and that you want to learn about. Inquiry is about needing to know the answer to a question or investigating a question where the answer has consequences.

The question is open to investigation you don’t already know the answer, nor have you already decided on the answer before starting the inquiry. Too often we go after questions for which we already have some kind of answer in mind. This might make it easier to write a quick paper, but it isnt genuine inquiry.

The question has a clear focus. Some focus is required to allow productive inquiry. A general question can get things started, but it will also likely need to be revised and focused as the inquiry continues. A good inquiry question is as direct and specific as possible; this will give you a good starting point as well as some direction in terms of how to proceed with research.

The question can be answered in multiple ways. A simple factual question like When did the federal government begin backing student loans? is not a good inquiry question because it leads to a single answer (1965), leaving you little to explore. Boise State University professor Bruce Ballenger explains that good inquiry questions are about five things:
value (how good is it?)
policy (what should be done about it?)
interpretation (what does it mean?)
hypothesis (what is the best explanation for it?)
relationships (what is the relationship between x and y?)

The question should be measurable. Measurable means that there should be credible information you can use to answer your question. A question like Is college hard? is difficult to answer outside of personal perspective. A better question might be What academic challenges do college freshmen experience during their first year of study?

The question should have clearly defined terms, so you know exactly what you are asking. If you are using a subjective term like best, be sure to define exactly what you mean. What does best mean? Most affordable? Most challenging? Most respected?

must include Fagan, Kate. Split Image. ESPN Digital and Print Media, 12 May 2015. as a source

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