Start with a question that’s open-ended, specific enough to focus your making, and broad enough to keep generating new work. Use “what if,” “how,” or “why”—e.g., “How can I use textile layering to show memory and loss?”—not just a topic like “memory.” The CED says your inquiry should guide practice, experimentation, and revision over time (you’ll later state it in 600 characters for the Sustained Investigation). Test and rank several questions by imagining possible experiments, materials, and processes for each; pick the one with the most potential for discovery and visual synthesis. Document everything (photos + notes), get peer/teacher feedback, and be ready to refine the question as your work leads to new questions. For examples and step-by-step tips, check the Topic 2.1 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2/questioning-art/study-guide/UkUZ976P9yuoIsUBfK7A) and practice problems on Fiveable (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

A regular art project is usually a single finished piece with a clear prompt or goal—you plan, make it, and turn it in. A sustained investigation is different: it’s an inquiry-based, in-depth study done over time that is guided by an open-ended question or area of inquiry (think what if, how, why). For AP, your Sustained Investigation must show practice, experimentation, and revision across a body of work (15 images), clearly identify the inquiry (600 characters), and describe how your work developed through experimentation and revision (600 characters). Judges look for synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas and evidence that the inquiry actually guided development (CED Topic 2.1). For tips on creating strong inquiries and documenting process, see the Topic 2.1 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2/questioning-art/study-guide/UkUZ976P9yuoIsUBfK7A). For extra practice, check Fiveable’s AP Studio Art practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

An inquiry-based question is one that makes you want to explore, experiment, and discover over time—not just state a topic. In AP terms, it’s an open-ended “what if,” “how,” or “why” question that can guide a sustained investigation of materials, processes, and ideas (EK 2.A.2). Good examples: “How can textile dyeing techniques express memory?” or “What if I combine printmaking and photography to show changing cityscapes?” That question should help you plan practice, experimentation, and revision, and it should be visible in your 15 images and written inquiry (you’ll state your inquiry in the Sustained Investigation prompt, max 600 characters). Keep documenting discoveries (visual + written), refine the question as you learn, and rank which questions lead to new making. For tips and examples, check the Topic 2.1 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2/questioning-art/study-guide/UkUZ976P9yuoIsUBfK7A) and practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Start small: don’t aim for a “perfect” question—aim for an open-ended inquiry that can drive making over time. Look through your sketchbooks, photos,past projects, and daily experiences for moments that keep resurfacing (subjects, colors, textures, feelings). Ask open-ended prompts that begin with what if, how, or why (e.g., “What if I used found plastic to translate movement?” or “How does repeating a mark change meaning over time?”). Try these quick steps: 1) list 10 curiosities about your work/materials/processes, 2) group similar ideas, 3) pick 3 that seem discoverable, 4) rank by which can lead to lots of experimentation and revision. Document tests and questions as you work—practice, experimentation, and revision should visibly develop the inquiry (CED EK 2.A.1–2.A.3). For examples and prompts, check the Topic 2.1 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2/questioning-art/study-guide/UkUZ976P9yuoIsUBfK7A) and browse unit resources (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2). For extra practice prompts, try the AP Studio Art practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

You’ll know your question is too broad if it’s just a theme (e.g., “identity”) and doesn’t guide what you’ll make, experiment with, or revise—the CED says an inquiry should drive discovery and practice. It’s too narrow if it’s so specific you can’t produce 15 images showing experimentation and revision (e.g., “make three charcoal portraits of my dog in one pose”). Aim for an open-ended question that begins with what if/how/why, invites material/process exploration, and can evolve over time. Good test: can this question generate multiple experiments, failures, and revisions that show development across 15 images? If yes, it’s likely right. Draft several questions, rank them for potential discovery, get peer/teacher feedback, and refine as your work grows (EK 2.A.2–2.A.3). For examples and practice refining inquiries, see the Topic 2.1 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2/questioning-art/study-guide/UkUZ976P9yuoIsUBfK7A) and try more practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Start by choosing a handful of very different materials so your questions can emerge from real surprises: paper, charcoal, acrylic paint, fabric/fiber, clay, found objects/assemblage, digital imaging, and simple printmaking tools. Try processes too—staining, stitching, collage, additive/subtractive sculpture, layering, and digital editing (note: no generative AI). As you experiment, document each trial with photos and short notes—what changed, what failed, what repeated—because the CED expects visual and written evidence of practice, experimentation, and revision for the Sustained Investigation (15 images, list materials/processes). Use open-ended prompts while you work ("What if I reverse this texture?" "How does scale change meaning?") and rank the questions that lead to more discovery. Cross-disciplinary materials (text, sound, tech) often open richer inquiries. For more tips on forming questions and examples, see the Topic 2.1 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2/questioning-art/study-guide/UkUZ976P9yuoIsUBfK7A). For extra practice, check Fiveable’s unit page and practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2 and https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Yes—you can change or refine your sustained-investigation question as you work. The CED says questions are continually formulated, documented, developed, and evaluated (EK 2.A.3). Many successful portfolios show an inquiry that evolves from discoveries made during practice and experimentation. Do these things when you change it: - Talk with your teacher so your new question is clear and realistic. - Document the change in your written inquiry (the 600-character prompt) and in your process images so reviewers can see the investigation’s development. The rubric rewards an inquiry that actually guides the work (Row A) and clear evidence of practice, experimentation, and revision (Row B). - Make sure you have enough work made under the new question so visual evidence clearly demonstrates the shift—late, small changes may not show enough development to score highly. For tips on how to phrase and document a refined question, check the Topic 2.1 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2/questioning-art/study-guide/UkUZ976P9yuoIsUBfK7A) and practice prompts (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Document your thinking so graders can follow your inquiry. Write a clear guiding question (what if/how/why) early and keep a dated running log of how that question changes. Combine short written entries with photos: sketches, tests, experiments, failed attempts, annotated process shots, and final works. For each image you submit, label materials, processes, digital tools, size, and image citation (per AP requirements). Use captions (even a sentence) that tie the image back to the inquiry and note what you learned or changed—showing practice, experimentation, and revision. Organize images so the sequence shows development over time (15 images for Sustained Investigation). Group similar questions, rank those with the most potential, and record peer/teacher feedback and how you used it. For examples and wording tips (including the 600-character inquiry and 600-character development prompts), check the Topic 2.1 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2/questioning-art/study-guide/UkUZ976P9yuoIsUBfK7A). For extra practice documenting process, try Fiveable’s practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Refining your questions means making them clearer, more focused, and more useful for guiding real making—turning a broad theme into an inquiry that sparks practice, experimentation, and revision. Start by looking at your documentation (sketches, photos, notes) and ask: What discoveries keep coming up? Which “what if / how / why” questions actually lead to new experiments? Group similar questions, rank them by potential for discovery, and pick one that’s open-ended enough to guide many projects but specific enough to shape materials/process choices. Practically: write your inquiry (you’ll need this for the Sustained Investigation prompt, max 600 characters), run quick experiments that test the question, document results, and revise the question based on what you learn. Get peer/teacher feedback and repeat. Refined questions should clearly guide your decisions about materials, processes, and ideas so your 15 images show development over time. For tips and examples, see the Topic 2.1 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2/questioning-art/study-guide/UkUZ976P9yuoIsUBfK7A) and try practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Short answer: making art is supposed to create more questions because sustained investigation is discovery-driven—your making reveals new problems, possibilities, and choices that deepen your inquiry. When you experiment with materials and processes, things you didn’t expect will happen (texture, failure, a new mark, a different scale). Those surprises prompt open-ended questions—what if I change this material, how does color affect meaning, why does this composition feel unbalanced? The CED expects you to document that iterative cycle of practice, experimentation, and revision and show how your inquiry develops (this is what your 15 sustained-investigation images and the two 600-character prompts should demonstrate). Questions help you focus and expand your investigation over time instead of stopping at one “answer.” For tips and examples on writing strong inquiries and documenting questions, check the Topic 2.1 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2/questioning-art/study-guide/UkUZ976P9yuoIsUBfK7A). For extra practice with portfolio skills, see Fiveable’s unit resources (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2) and 1000+ practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Start by dumping every question you have into one place (notes app, sketchbook, spreadsheet). Then group them by theme or type—materials, process, concept, or “what if/how/why” open-ended prompts. Use AP language: keep questions that can guide a sustained investigation (they should inspire practice, experimentation, and revision). Rank questions by potential for discovery: will this push you to try new materials/processes, generate many iterations, and allow visual evidence across multiple works? Prefer those that can be documented with images (you’ll need 15 images and a 600-character inquiry statement for the Sustained Investigation). Get peer/teacher feedback on clarity and depth. Test the top 2–3 by doing quick experiments or thumbnails; the one that keeps producing new questions and revisions is worth pursuing. Keep documenting—questions will evolve as your investigation develops. For more guidance, see the Topic 2.1 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2/questioning-art/study-guide/UkUZ976P9yuoIsUBfK7A) and practice prompts (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Ask for feedback early and often, and make it specific. Start by writing a clear, open-ended inquiry (what if / how / why) that could guide making over time—remember the Sustained Investigation prompt: your inquiry must be identifiable and actually guide development (rubric row A; you’ll state it in 600 characters). Then do this quick loop: - Share the written question + 2–3 process images or thumbnails that show how it could lead to experiments. Ask: “Does this question suggest practice, experimentation, and revision over time?” - Get at least two viewers: your AP teacher and a peer. Teachers check rubric alignment; peers test clarity and inspiration. - Use the rubric: does the inquiry connect to visual evidence and guide development? If not, refine. - Keep revising and documenting changes (EK 2.A.3). For examples and prompts to try, see the Topic 2.1 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2/questioning-art/study-guide/UkUZ976P9yuoIsUBfK7A) and practice sets (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art). Fiveable’s guides can help you practice drafting and getting targeted feedback.

Write like the artist you are—honest, specific, and concrete. Start with your real questions (what if/how/why...) and describe what you actually did: materials you tested, experiments you repeated, what changed after a revision. Use simple phrases: “I wanted to see if watercolor layering would create depth, so I tested three papers, rejected two, and combined techniques A + B.” That shows inquiry, practice, experimentation, and revision—exactly what the CED asks for (EK 2.A.1–2.A.3). Remember the Sustained Investigation prompts are limited to 600 characters, so keep sentences short and focused on how the inquiry guided your making. You don’t need fancy jargon; visual evidence in your 15 images will back up your words. For examples and tips on phrasing questions, check the Topic 2.1 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2/questioning-art/study-guide/UkUZ976P9yuoIsUBfK7A) and practice more prompts at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Short answer: Yes—learning a new technique can be a valid sustained investigation, but it must be framed as an inquiry that leads to discovery and development over time, not just a how-to exercise. Explain: The CED says a sustained investigation is an in-depth, inquiry-based study of materials, processes, and ideas (EK 2.A.1–2.A.3). So your guiding question should be open-ended (what if, how, why) and show potential for discovery—for example: “How can I adapt traditional woodblock printing techniques to create layered transparencies that evoke memory?” Then document practice, experimentation, and revision across your 15 images and in your written prompts (600 characters to identify the inquiry; 600 to describe development). You also need visual evidence of synthesis of materials/processes/ideas and increasing skill (rows B–D of the rubric). For examples and help shaping your question, see the Topic 2.1 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2/questioning-art/study-guide/UkUZ976P9yuoIsUBfK7A) and try practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).

Ask which question leads to more making, testing, and change. Use these quick criteria (from the CED): open-endedness (starts with what if/how/why), potential for discovery (will it generate new questions during making?), scope for materials/processes (can you test different media/techniques?), ability to guide practice/experimentation/revision over time, and alignment with portfolio requirements (can it produce 15 images showing development and synthesis?). Rank your two ideas on each criterion (1–5) and total the scores. Prefer the one that: is open-ended, suggests concrete experiments, can be documented visually, and will let you revise based on results. Also get peer/teacher feedback about clarity and investigative potential. If you want a checklist and examples for writing strong inquiries, see the Topic 2.1 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-studio-art/unit-2/questioning-art/study-guide/UkUZ976P9yuoIsUBfK7A). For more practice framing and refining questions, try Fiveable’s practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-studio-art).