2A.2
Framing a Question:
How do I narrow my focus?


Stems are words used to begin questions. Working with the issue you selected in the previous activity, come up with as many questions about it as you can using the following stems. Work quickly without evaluating or editing your responses. Some stems will work better than others depending on your issue. The point is not to use every stem but to generate as many questions as possible using the stems that work for your issue:

1. How do/does
2. Why would
3. What happens when
4. What is the role of ____________in ____________
5. What is the difference between____________and ____________
6. What causes
7. How much

When you have generated as many questions as possible using these stems and your issue, read through all the questions and circle the three that most interest you. Meet with a new partner and discuss why each of these three questions interests you.

When you finish discussing a question, ask your partner for his/her ideas about it. Jot down any ideas your partner has that might be helpful to you in thinking more deeply about that question. With the help of your partner, select the one question that most interests you. Even if you are not perfectly happy with your question, settle on it for right now.

Your question will take many shapes and may even change completely during the course of your inquiry. This question, the one you chose at this moment, is only a place to start.

The only "rule" at this moment is that you should not be able to answer your question with a "yes" or a "no." It should begin with the words, "what, how or why." These words will call for discussion or explanation and send you off on an investigation. You will learn from the investigation, not just trying to find the answer to a "yes" or "no" question.