A question does not have to be a stand alone sentence. It has the potential to do so much more!
When do we ask questions?
A child might ask a question being curious to know more about something. A teacher prepares questions in the worksheet to find out how much the class has understood. Generally speaking, all of us ask questions when we need information.
Is it possible for a question to serve a purpose beyond simply eliciting a response in spoken or written communication?
Dear reader, take a step back and ponder over what kind of impact that question had on you. Did it set you thinking?
Questions have the power to set readers thinking. When readers think, they become more curious. When they become curious, readers usually want to read more. That's a good sign for the person who has spent a lot of time and effort in writing something that is worthy of reading.
Questions can be widely used in fiction as well as in non-fiction writing prompts. In creative fiction, questions can be used in dialogues, thoughts of the characters or simply the narrator wanting to set the reader to think. In non-fiction, it helps opening up new lines of enquiry. In argumentative or persuasive essays, the right kind of questions can be powerful enough to transform the reader's opinion on a subject.
Question is a powerful writing tool that is often ignored in writing.
Rarely do children get acquainted with the art of using question type of sentence in their writing. One of the young readers at the Young Readers' Club, wrote this following sentence in response to a given picture of shoeprints in the sand.
"Why are there two different pairs of shoe prints instead of one?"
When it was pointed out that this sentence in the context of a detective story perhaps will be very powerful, the young reader was amused. She said, "I just thought of a random question sentence for this picture, since you asked me."
A question that sounds so random and unimportant has the potential to play an incredibly important role in making the reader curious in a mystery story for example. It is bound to set the reader thinking in the lines of who could the other person be? or Shouldn't there have been any shoeprints at all since no one was allowed on the beach that morning?
By incorporating more specific questions related to the initial query, a narrative of its own begins to take shape. Various theories and viewpoints emerge, leading to the creation of additional material for the writer to contemplate and captivating the reader's interest in the process.
Using questions as part of their writing process not only encourages children but also helps the teacher assess their comprehension!
For example, a reader took a moment to jot down her reflections while reading Gordon Korman's book, The Unteachables. The novel aims to shed light on children with unique talents that are frequently overlooked. These children are often defined by their limitations rather than their strengths. Through this children's book, young readers are encouraged to recognize that everyone excels in certain areas while struggling in others. It is unjust to solely concentrate on their shortcomings and label them as 'hopeless' children, as this fails to acknowledge their potential.
Her note read: "Parker seems to find it difficult to read. The book says that every time he sees a word it looks like jumbled letters. Perhaps he needs glasses. Would glasses help him with this problem? If not, what else will?"
The little note suggests volumes to the teacher.
This reader has developed a connection with this character.
She feels sorry for him and wants to help him in someway.
Although, she knows that this is work of fiction, she understands that there are children like Parker in the real world. They need help but rarely get the help they need.
Given this she will be eager to read further to see if this character gets the help that he deserves. She could even be curious to find out what kind of help he gets, how does he get it and if it helped him at all.
A question has the power to do much more than lead to answers. It has the power to instill the spirit of inquiry not just in the writer's minds but also in the minds of the readers. After all, the key to holding the reader's attention is to make them 'want' to know more.
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