Posing Good Questions

What are the most important ideas or conflicts in the book?  Write a set of four questions for your group mates, one from each category below.  Focus your set of questions on what you think are the most important ideas in the book.

1. Right There – Ask a question about a fact that is key to understanding the book, and which can be found right in the text.
2. Think and Search – Ask a question about an important fact whose answer can be inferred from the book, but which isn’t stated directly in the text. 
3. Book and Me – Ask an important question which requires the reader to make connections between themselves and the book, combining what they’ve learned from the book and what they know themselves.
4. On Your Own – Ask an important question inspired by the book but which draws only on the reader’s own thoughts and experiences.

Examples of questions that could be written about The Catcher in the Rye:

1. Right There: Why is Holden leaving Pencey Prep? (Because he has flunked out, failing all of his classes except English. -- this information is told to the reader directly).
2. Think and Search: Why does Holden call his brother a prostitute?  (Because his brother is working for the movies, instead of writing stories.  Holden thinks the movies are lousy because they're phony, and that his brother should stick to his authentic stories.  -- This is information the reader has to collect from the book and put together).
3. Book and Me: What would you do if you were in Holden's situation of having your roommate going on a date with a girl that you like? (Answers vary depending on personal opinions and experience -- the answer connects what you know and think with the book).
4. On Your Own: What challenges do you face in moving into adulthood, and who is there to support you in facing them? (Answers will vary -- the question uses a theme from the book and applies it to our lives.