Thick vs. Thin Questions

What’s the difference?

Thick Questions

• Don’t have just one right answer.• They begin with:

• Why...• How come...• I wonder...• “What would happen If?…” • “What does he/she means by…”

THICK QUESTIONSTHICK questions address large,

universal concepts…

For instance, “What is

photosynthesis?”

You could not answer that

question with one word. The

answers are long and involved

and need to be researched.

Thin QuestionsQuestions that can be answered

witha number or a simple “yes, or No” fall in this category.

For instance, “How many planets are there?”

You use thin questions to understand specific details.

Identify each question as thick or thin.1. Why did Sarah want to run for class president?2. Why didn’t Sarah bribe the students in order to win the election?3. How did Sarah win by a landslide?4. What is a landslide?5. Why did Joshua an Sarah choose to run for Class President?6. Was is a good idea for Joshua to try to bribe his classmates?7. What would have happened if Sarah had bribed the students?8. What promises did Joshua made during his speech?9. If Joshua decides to run for Class President next year, will he do things

differently?10. Did Joshua put much effort in winning the election?

Please discuss your answers with a partner.

How do I formulate “Thick Questions” ?

By using a Question Matrix.

EVENT SITUATION CHOICE PERSON REASON MEANS

Present What is/are? Where/when is/are? Which is/are? Who is/are? Why is/are? How is/are?

Past What did/do/does?

Where/when did/do/does?

Which did/do/does?

Who did/do/does?

Why did/do/does?

How did/do/does?

Possibility What can? Where/when can? Which can? Who can? Why can? How can?

Probability What would/could?

Where/when would/could?

Which would/could?

Who would/could?

Why would/could?

How would/could?

Prediction What will? Where/when will? Which will? Who will? Why will? How will?

Imagination What might? Where/when might? Which might? Who might? Why might? How might?

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