Let’s Decide! (AQA A-Level Spanish): Revision Notes
Let's Decide!
Introduction to research projects
When working on your A-Level Spanish research project, selecting the right topic is crucial for your success. This process involves choosing a theme that genuinely interests you whilst ensuring it relates clearly to Hispanic culture or society. You'll need to decide what areas to focus on and how to begin gathering information. This note will guide you through the essential stages of choosing, categorizing, and planning your research project effectively.
Your topic choice will shape your entire research experience, so take time to consider what truly fascinates you about the Hispanic world. The best projects come from genuine interest and curiosity.
Understanding research topics
A research project on Hispanic culture can explore many different areas, from historical events and cultural movements to individual figures and geographical locations. The key is finding a balance between a topic that's specific enough to investigate thoroughly, yet broad enough to provide sufficient material for analysis.
When beginning your research journey, you should consider what aspect of the Hispanic world fascinates you most. Perhaps you're drawn to art and literature, or maybe historical conflicts and political figures capture your interest. Sports, regional customs, and architectural landmarks are equally valid choices.
Categories of research themes
Understanding the different types of research themes helps you clarify what kind of project you want to undertake. There are eight main categories that most Hispanic research topics fall into:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| un conflicto | a conflict |
| un personaje histórico | a historical figure |
| un lugar antiguo | an ancient place |
| un tema de comparación | a comparison theme |
| un artista | an artist |
| un fenómeno deportivo | a sporting phenomenon |
| la cultura de una región | the culture of a region |
| un interés personal | a personal interest |
Each category offers different research approaches. A conflict might involve examining causes, consequences, and historical perspectives. A historical figure requires biographical research and analysis of their impact. Ancient places demand exploration of architecture, history, and cultural significance. Comparison themes allow you to examine similarities and differences between Hispanic and British cultures or between different Hispanic regions.
Example sentences using these categories:
- He elegido estudiar un conflicto muy importante: la Guerra Civil española. (I've chosen to study a very important conflict: the Spanish Civil War.)
- Mi investigación se centra en un artista catalán llamado Joan Miró. (My research focuses on a Catalan artist called Joan Miró.)
- Quiero explorar un lugar antiguo fascinante como Machu Picchu. (I want to explore a fascinating ancient place like Machu Picchu.)
- Voy a hacer un tema de comparación entre las familias reales de España y Gran Bretaña. (I'm going to do a comparison theme between the royal families of Spain and Great Britain.)
Pronunciation tip: Remember that 'j' in Spanish is pronounced like the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch': elegir becomes elijo [e-LEE-kho] in the first person.
Popular research topics
Here are examples of topics that A-Level students frequently select, demonstrating the variety of possibilities available:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Pablo Picasso | Pablo Picasso |
| la cultura andaluza | Andalusian culture |
| Machu Picchu | Machu Picchu |
| la gastronomía española | Spanish gastronomy |
| el fútbol en Argentina | football in Argentina |
| la Guerra Civil española | the Spanish Civil War |
| Hernán Cortés | Hernán Cortés |
| las familias reales española y británica | Spanish and British royal families |
| el Palacio Real de Madrid | the Royal Palace of Madrid |
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el general Franco | General Franco |
| la Plaza Mayor | Plaza Mayor |
| la música latina | Latin music |
| Joan Miró | Joan Miró |
| la banca en España y Gran Bretaña | banking in Spain and Great Britain |
| la guerra de las Malvinas | the Falklands War |
| la cultura catalana | Catalan culture |
| el FC Barcelona | FC Barcelona |
Example sentences showing topic choices:
- He decidido investigar la cultura andaluza porque me fascinan sus tradiciones musicales y arquitectónicas. (I've decided to research Andalusian culture because its musical and architectural traditions fascinate me.)
- Hernán Cortés fue un personaje histórico controvertido durante la conquista española de México. (Hernán Cortés was a controversial historical figure during the Spanish conquest of Mexico.)
- El tema de mi proyecto es el fútbol en Argentina, que representa un fenómeno deportivo y cultural importante. (The theme of my project is football in Argentina, which represents an important sporting and cultural phenomenon.)
- Voy a comparar las familias reales española y británica para entender mejor las monarquías modernas. (I'm going to compare the Spanish and British royal families to better understand modern monarchies.)
Research methods and information gathering
Once you've selected your research topic, the next crucial step is determining how you'll collect information. Using multiple research methods strengthens your project and provides diverse perspectives on your chosen theme. Different topics may require different approaches, so it's worth considering which methods suit your particular investigation best.
Ways to gather information
Modern research combines traditional methods with digital resources. You might start with internet searches to gain a broad overview, then deepen your understanding through books, academic articles, or primary sources. For some topics, first-hand investigation proves invaluable.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| utilizando Internet | using the Internet |
| leyendo un libro | reading a book |
| un artículo de periódico | a newspaper article |
| una revista académica | an academic journal |
| pidiéndosela a alguien | asking someone for it |
| consultando folletos | consulting brochures |
| viendo la televisión | watching television |
| utilizando cuestionarios | using questionnaires |
| escuchando la radio | listening to the radio |
| visitando el lugar | visiting the place |
Always verify your sources! When conducting research, it's essential to use reliable, credible sources. Cross-reference information from multiple sources to ensure accuracy, particularly when dealing with historical or controversial topics.
Research verbs and expressions
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| investigar | to research |
| buscar información | to look for information |
| recopilar datos | to collect data |
| indagar | to investigate |
| conseguir información | to obtain information |
| estudiar | to study |
| analizar | to analyze |
| examinar | to examine |
| explorar | to explore |
| descubrir | to discover |
| comprobar | to verify |
| contrastar fuentes | to compare sources |
Example sentences showing different research methods:
- Estoy investigando la Alhambra utilizando Internet y también leyendo libros especializados sobre arquitectura islámica. (I'm researching the Alhambra using the Internet and also reading specialized books about Islamic architecture.)
- Para recopilar datos sobre el flamenco, voy a visitar el lugar y consultar folletos de los tablaos de Sevilla. (To collect data about flamenco, I'm going to visit the place and consult brochures from the tablaos in Seville.)
- He conseguido información muy valiosa utilizando cuestionarios con profesores de español. (I've obtained very valuable information using questionnaires with Spanish teachers.)
- Encontré un artículo de periódico interesante que analiza la influencia de Picasso en el arte moderno. (I found an interesting newspaper article that analyzes Picasso's influence on modern art.)
- Voy a contrastar fuentes diferentes para comprobar la exactitud de la información histórica. (I'm going to compare different sources to verify the accuracy of the historical information.)
Planning your research with spider diagrams
A spider diagram (un diagrama de araña) serves as an excellent organizational tool when you're beginning your research. This visual method helps you map out the different aspects of your topic and identify specific areas you want to investigate further. Creating a spider diagram at the start of your project ensures you approach your research systematically and don't overlook important subtopics.
How to create an effective spider diagram
Begin by writing your main research topic in the centre of the page. From this central point, draw branches radiating outward, each representing a different aspect or dimension of your theme. On each branch, add more specific details, examples, names, dates, or concepts that relate to that particular aspect. This branching structure mirrors how ideas connect and expand from a central theme.
Spider diagrams are particularly useful in the early stages of research planning. They help you visualize connections between different aspects of your topic and identify areas that need more investigation. Don't worry if your diagram looks messy at first – it's a working tool that will evolve as your understanding deepens.
Example: researching Andalusian culture
Let's examine a detailed spider diagram for researching Andalusian culture (la cultura andaluza):
Worked Example: Spider Diagram for Andalusian Culture
Central theme: La cultura andaluza
Branch 1: Arquitectura (Architecture)
- La Giralda (the Giralda tower in Seville)
- La Gran Mezquita (the Great Mosque of Córdoba)
- La Alhambra (the Alhambra palace in Granada)
Branch 2: Habitantes (Inhabitants)
- Los moros (the Moors - Islamic inhabitants)
- Los gitanos (the Gypsies/Roma people)
- Los judíos (the Jews - historical Jewish community)
Branch 3: ¿Dónde? (Where?/Locations)
- Sevilla (Seville)
- Córdoba (Córdoba)
- Granada (Granada)
- Málaga (Málaga)
Branch 4: Literatura (Literature)
- García Lorca (Federico García Lorca - poet and playwright)
- Antonio Machado (Antonio Machado - poet)
- Rafael Alberti (Rafael Alberti - poet)
Branch 5: Música (Music)
- Andrés Segovia (classical guitarist)
- Manuel de Falla (composer)
- Paco de Lucía (flamenco guitarist)
Branch 6: Pintura (Painting)
- Velázquez (Diego Velázquez - Baroque painter)
- Picasso (Pablo Picasso - modern artist)
- Murillo (Bartolomé Esteban Murillo - Baroque painter)
This structure demonstrates how one central research theme branches into multiple areas of investigation. Each branch could become a section in your final project, and each specific example provides concrete material to research and discuss.
Vocabulary for planning and organizing research
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el diagrama de araña | spider diagram |
| el mapa mental | mind map |
| el tema central | central theme |
| la rama | branch |
| el aspecto | aspect |
| el ejemplo | example |
| el subtema | subtopic |
| la categoría | category |
| concentrarse en | to focus on |
| explorar | to explore |
| desarrollar | to develop |
| profundizar en | to go into depth about |
| ampliar | to expand |
| organizar las ideas | to organize ideas |
| estructurar | to structure |
| las áreas de investigación | areas of research |
| el enfoque | focus/approach |
Example sentences showing planning and organization:
- Voy a crear un diagrama de araña para organizar mis ideas sobre la Guerra Civil española. (I'm going to create a spider diagram to organize my ideas about the Spanish Civil War.)
- El tema central de mi investigación es la influencia morisca en la arquitectura andaluza. (The central theme of my research is Moorish influence in Andalusian architecture.)
- He identificado seis áreas de investigación diferentes que quiero explorar en mi proyecto. (I've identified six different areas of research that I want to explore in my project.)
- Me voy a concentrar en tres aspectos principales: la música, la literatura y las artes visuales. (I'm going to focus on three main aspects: music, literature, and visual arts.)
- Necesito profundizar en cada rama del diagrama para desarrollar mi comprensión del tema. (I need to go into depth about each branch of the diagram to develop my understanding of the theme.)
- Quiero ampliar mi investigación para incluir más ejemplos contemporáneos. (I want to expand my research to include more contemporary examples.)
Common mistakes & tips
Mistake 1: Choosing a topic that's excessively broad
- ❌ "La cultura española" (Spanish culture) - far too general for focused research
- ✓ "El flamenco en Sevilla durante el siglo XX" (Flamenco in Seville during the 20th century) - appropriately specific
Mistake 2: Confusing 'investigar' (to research) with 'investigación' (research/investigation)
- ❌ "Voy a investigación sobre García Lorca" (incorrect verb form)
- ✓ "Voy a investigar a García Lorca" (I'm going to research García Lorca)
- ✓ "Mi investigación trata sobre García Lorca" (My research is about García Lorca)
Mistake 3: Using 'tópico' when you mean 'tema' (topic)
The word 'tópico' in Spanish means 'cliché' or 'stereotype', not 'topic'
- ❌ "Mi tópico de investigación es..."
- ✓ "Mi tema de investigación es..." (My research topic is...)
Mistake 4: Incorrect preposition use with research verbs
- ✓ Investigar sobre/acerca de (to research about)
- ✓ Concentrarse en (to concentrate on)
- ✓ Centrarse en (to focus on)
- ✓ Consultar con (to consult with someone)
- ✓ Preguntar a (to ask someone)
Mistake 5: Forgetting that 'elegir' (to choose) has an irregular conjugation
Present tense: elijo, eliges, elige, elegimos, elegís, eligen
The 'g' changes to 'j' before 'o' and 'a'
- ❌ "Yo elego este tema"
- ✓ "Yo elijo este tema" (I choose this theme)
Tip 1: Expressing your research plans
When discussing your research plans, use these structures:
- "He decidido + infinitive" (I've decided to...)
- "Voy a + infinitive" (I'm going to...)
- "Me gustaría + infinitive" (I would like to...)
- "Pienso + infinitive" (I plan to...)
Example: "He decidido investigar la arquitectura de Gaudí porque me gustaría entender mejor el modernismo catalán." (I've decided to research Gaudí's architecture because I'd like to better understand Catalan modernism.)
Tip 2: Maintaining connection to Hispanic culture
Always maintain a clear connection to Hispanic culture in your topic choice. Topics must relate specifically to Spain, Latin America, or Hispanic communities elsewhere.
Tip 3: Check resource availability
Consider the availability of resources before finalizing your topic. Ensure there are sufficient Spanish-language sources available for your research.
Key Points to Remember:
- Research topics fall into eight main categories: conflicts, historical figures, ancient places, comparisons, artists, sporting phenomena, regional culture, and personal interests.
- Choose a topic that genuinely interests you whilst ensuring it's specific enough to explore thoroughly but broad enough to find adequate resources.
- Use multiple research methods to strengthen your project: internet sources, books, articles, brochures, questionnaires, and visiting locations when possible.
- Spider diagrams are invaluable for organizing initial ideas and identifying different aspects of your topic to investigate.
- Always verify that your chosen topic relates clearly to Hispanic culture and check resource availability before committing to it.