The Art of Questioning

          Questions direct critical learning of the pupils, and in order of it to be worthwhile, here are some characteristics of good questions that can help inflicting good direction to pupils:

1. Good questions must be brief and direct.

        They should be brief and direct to the point of clearness. They should be simple and reasonably short so that the thought can be easily grasp by the pupils. This makes for easy understanding and saves time. It takes less time to state and to interpret them.

        Examples: What is a noun? What are adjectives?

2. Good questions must be adapted to the ability and experience of the pupils.

        Questions must be adapted to the ability, interest, experience and maturity of the pupils. If not, they can’t provide profitable reflection and thinking. The pupils should grasp the full significance of the questions according to the aim of the lesson and its nature as well.

      Example: Have you experienced joining in a race? What race? Did you win?

3. Good questions stimulate thinking and reasoning.

        Though-provoking questions will accomplish this objective and will further stimulate reflection and encourage favorable expression. Direct questions should generally be avoided because the answer does not evince thought. If though has not been stimulated, the exercise will be considered a failure.

        Examples: Do all plants come from seeds? Why did you say so?

4. Good questions must allow logical order.

        They should be in a logical order so that the pupils may have a clear idea of the wholeness of the lesson. Otherwise, there will be confusion and the pupils will fail an adequate conception of the teacher’s purpose.

        Examples: 1. What are the parts of a plant?

                        2. What are the functions of each?

                        3. What are the proper ways of taking care of plants?

5. Good questions must be related to one another

        This results to an established relationship between facts or points. It will lead to better organization of points learned. They can bridge the gap of points

        Examples: What is a noun? Give examples of it and used it in a sentence.