Byrdseed

Depth and Complexity: Misconceptions About The Big Idea

I’ve been doing a lot of depth and complexity work lately, over at Gifted Guild as well as in person, and I’ve noticed a common misconception with the Big Idea prompt (even with people who think they know depth and complexity):


People confuse Big Ideas with topics.


Let me explain:




TopicBig Ideas
Earthquakes
  • “Earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates”
  • “Earthquakes are the biggest threat facing San Francisco”
  • “The key to earthquake survival is preparation.”
The Giving Tree
  • “The Giving Tree’s message is to beware giving too much”

  • “The Giving Tree is the greatest childrens’ book ever written.”
The American Revolution
  • A Big Idea might be “Yorktown must the most important battle of the revolution”
  • “George Washington’s indecision actually won the American Revolution”
  • “Britain should have attempted to work with the Americans rather than fight against them.”


Note the differences? 
Big Ideas should be:


  • Complete sentences
 — not one or two-word phrases
  • Statements about the topic — not the topic itself 
* Non-trivial: “The sun is hot” is not a great Big Idea.
  • Something another person might disagree with (this helps make sure they’re non-trivial)
 
* Backed up with evidence (which can come in the form of Details)


The next time you see the Big Idea icon next to an incomplete sentence, pull the emergency break and fix things – it’s likely you’re seeing a topic rather than a true Big Idea.

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