Grand Rapids Community College

September 5, 2012

Open(to find out)

Direct(to prove or

explain)

Question Purpose

How do I know what I think until I see what I say?

I know what I think, now how

can I say it?

Invention Arrangement

“Essay”Thesis-proof,

Five-paragraph theme

Myth of the Boring Topic

• No such thing as boring topic, only bad questions

• Suspend judgment and tolerate ambiguity• Extend the process of open inquiry• Questions are like knives• The more you look the more you see

Question of Fact or Definition

Interpretation Question

Hypothesis Question Policy Question Relationship

Question Question of Value

Type Questions Genre

Question of Fact or Definition

What is it? What is known about it?

Beginning of inquiry

Question of Value

Which is better/worse? Is it good/bad

Review, Argument, Research Essay

Hypothesis Question

What’s the best explanation for this?

Research Essay, Personal Essay

Policy Question What should be done?

Argument, Proposal

Interpretation question?

What does it mean?

Literary Essay, Personal Essay, Ethnography, Profile

Relationship Question

Does ___ cause ___? Is __similar or dissimilar to ___?

Research Essay, Literary Essay, Ethnography