How to create diverse questions for lively Socratic Seminars. What’s in a Question?

Types of Questions Close-Ended Questions Universal Theme/Core Questions Literary Analysis Questions Open-Ended Questions World Connection Questions

Close-Ended Questions These questions usually have one “correct” answer. This type of question will help the class come to an agreement about what is going on in the text. These questions often function for purposes of clarification. Ex: What historical events were precursors to Clifton, Komunyakaa and Collins’s poems?

Universal Theme/Core Questions These questions should focus on the themes of the text The purpose of these questions is to encourage a class discussion about some of the universal themes and core concepts of the text. These are more in-depth than close-ended questions, there is not necessarily one correct answer. Ex: How does Komunyakaa use metaphors to explore the experience of being at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial? Which image or metaphor had the greatest effect on you?

Author’s Craft Questions These questions require readers to analyze the author’s writing choices. Questions should focus on the choices the author made concerning point of view, characterization, conflict, etc. How did the author choose to compose a particular work? Ex: How would you describe Collin’s tone? What details in the poem help us discern his tone? Why has he chosen this tone for this particular poem?

Open-Ended Questions and What If? Questions Insightful questions about the text that will encourage group discussion. Opinions will require textual evidence. Requires constructed logic to discover or explore the answer to the question. While a variety of answers are acceptable, they must contain support from the text. Why does Clifton make the choice of using the poetic device of apostrophe (addressing the dead as if they were able to respond)? How would the poem have been different if it was addressed to the tour guide at Walnut Plantation? What was gained in making this choice?

World Connection Questions These questions serve to draw connections between the text and the real world. They could require you to draw connections between what is occurring on the page and in your life. Often such questions will encourage students to place themselves into the characters shoes. Ex: How did the events of 9/11 (or the Vietnam War, or slavery) shape history? How have they shaped your lives as Millennials? What do you imagine will be the ramifications for generations to come? How durable will the monuments depicted in the poems be for future generations?