Fat and Skinny Questions

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Fat and Skinny Questions
By Kelly

This is the information I put on a colourful handout for my class last year (grade 4) about good discussion questions. I hope it helps! Kelly

Asking Good Questions

Skinny Questions:
¨ will get only one
or two-word answers
¨ yes and no questions
¨ don’t ask about important information
¨ ask only about basic facts

Fat Questions:
¨ will be answered with lots of information
¨ get at the main ideas of the story or book
¨ may be about feelings
¨ ask about opinions
¨ may be to clarify things you didn’t understand in the reading
¨ ask if any one has

ever had similar experiences
¨ make predictions
¨ explain why or how
¨ make connections or comparisons

Try These:

“What if...” “Why did...”

“How did...” “What would happen if...”

“What caused...” “What might...”

“How would you feel if...”

“What character traits describe ______?
Explain”

“Why do you think...” “Why is...”