Virginia SOL 12.R.1.A
The Standard
Formulate and revise questions about a research topic broadening or narrowing the inquiry as necessary.
Virginia Standards of Learning for English
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students turn a general topic into a research question that can guide a manageable investigation. They revise the question when early reading shows it is too broad, too narrow, unclear, or unsupported.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can judge whether a question is too broad, too narrow, or manageable for the time and sources available. They can create useful subquestions and revise wording or scope after an early source search.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may write a topic or claim instead of a research question. They may assume every question must be narrowed, or treat revision as evidence that the first question failed. Yes or no questions also limit useful inquiry.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Topic: AI tools in high school. Write one research question, then revise it after learning that most sources focus on writing classes, and explain your change.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Place broad topics and source summaries on cards. Students pair them, draft a question, then swap cards and revise its scope.
Write: When should a researcher broaden a question rather than narrow it, and what evidence should drive that choice?
Play Scope Sort: Teams label question cards too broad, too narrow, or workable, then earn points by writing stronger revisions.
Use a school board issue, such as phone rules, to build a research question for a realistic public comment.
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Printable 12.R.1.A Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 12.R.1.A, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 9.R.1.A
Formulate and revise questions about a research topic, broadening or narrowing the inquiry as necessary.
- 8.R.1.A
Formulate and revise questions about a research topic, broadening or narrowing the inquiry as necessary.
- 10.R.1.A
Formulate and revise questions about a research topic, broadening or narrowing the inquiry as necessary.
- 11.R.1.A
The 11th Grade version of this standard.
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