How to write Good questions
- While in your literature circles, you will sometimes be the "Question Master". The person in this role needs to write discussion questions based on the text.
- Educational studies show that question-writing is a more effective way to help you remember information than taking notes or answering questions! This is a strategy you can use whenever you have to read something for class.
- As you read, write open-ended discussion questions. You can't ask your literature circle group, "what was the name of the book's author?" and expect to have a discussion! Questions should be open-ended (this means they don't have a single, factual answer). Don't write multiple-choice, fill in the blank, or true/false type questions! Instead, your questions should seek to have others explain their thoughts and ideas about something in the text. Opinion questions are a good place to start.
Assignment:
- Re-read "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty."
- As you read, write TWO discussion questions based on the text.
- Email your questions to [email protected]. (But make sure you save a copy for yourself to use in a discussion).
- Discussion questions must meet the criteria on the check-bric below...
Question-Writing "Check-bric":
Question-Starters:
Level 1: Knowledge Questions
Level 2: Comprehension Questions
Level 3: Application Questions
Level 4: Analysis Questions
Level 5: Synthesis Questions
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Level one questions help clarify what happened in the text. They are NOT good discussion questions. You should NOT write questions like these for this assignment. However, during the discussion you might casually ask a question like one of these for clarification.
Level two questions show your understanding of facts and ideas by organizing, comparing, translating, interpreting, giving descriptions and stating the main ideas. They can sometimes make interesting discussion questions, but you should not write a majority of level 2 questions for this assignment.
Level three questions ask you to solve problems by applying the knowledge you have acquired in a new way. Level three questions are great for discussion!
Level four questions ask you to examine and break down information into parts by identifying motives or causes. They also ask you to make inferences and find evidence to support your ideas. Level four questions are great for discussion!
Level five questions ask you to combine elements in a new pattern or to propose alternative solutions. These questions seek creativity and innovation. They are challenging discussion questions, but sometimes can result in the most interesting conversations!
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