Scholarly inquiry: constructing a theoretically productive focus question

What this note covers

1. What is a focus question and why does it matter?
2. Anatomy of a theoretically productive focus question
3. Selecting and pairing theoretical frameworks
4. From broad interest to precise question: the refinement process
5. Ensuring evaluative complexity: the problem of premature closure
6. Focus questions in the Australian literary context
7. Evaluating and revising your focus question before committing

7 sections · 14 key terms & formulas · 6 common mistakes