KIM WOODS

Discussion 2 – Forming Questions Based on Critical Reading

This discussion allows you to connect with your peers about the literature you read in this class.  Try to ask open-ended questions (not “yes/no” type questions).  Focus your questions on specific literary conflicts, techniques, or themes.

There was so much great literature in this course. To get you started, consider the following questions:  Which was your favorite genre? Why?  What were you favorite three works?  Why? Did any work surprise you?   If there was a genre that you generally do not like, were you surprised to find that you actually like works in that genre?  Did you learn anything about the world or about yourself in reading any of these works?  Did any of the works evoke powerful emotions (crying, uncontrollable laughter, deep sadness or happiness) in you?  What were those emotions, and why do you think you reacted in the way you did?

Engage with your fellow students.  

How to Ask an Open-Ended Question

There are two ways of asking questions: close-ended and open-ended. 

Close-ended questions 

• Can be answered with either a single word or a short phrase such as “yes” or “no.”

• Are easy to answer and provide no details or analysis.

• Do not encourage in-depth or long-range thinking.

Open-ended questions

• Are likely to receive an in-depth, detailed answer.
• Ask the respondent to think and reflect on what he or she has read.
• Encourage critical thinking that leads the respondent to think beyond the reading assignment.
• Usually begin with “how,” “why,” or “what.”

Examples:

General Open-Ended Question Template

• What do you think about                                                                                ?
• In what way does the story/poem                                                                   ?
• How would you interpret the character’s                                                       ______?
• How did the ending                                                                                        ?
• What was the problem                                                                                                ?
• Why did the story/poem                                                                                             ?
• Why did the character react                                                                            ?
• What did it mean when                                                                                              ?
• How does the symbolism                                                                                ?
• What kind of conflict                                                                                     ?

Non plagirism