Graduate Student Guides

Writing Effective Discussion Questions

Discussion questions guide conversation most effectively when the leader:

• Plans goals for the discussion in advance 
• Creates questions with these goals in mind
• Sends questions to participants in advance so they can come prepared

There are several types of discussion questions with various uses:

• Knowledge: simple questions, test for content knowledge of subject matter
• Comprehension: ask students to explain, interpret, give examples, and/or summarize
• Application: require the application of knowledge
• Analysis: require the application of principles in new settings
• Synthesis: require combining ideas
• Evaluation: require making a judgement

There are also a few types of questions a leader will usually want to avoid:

• General opening questions begin discussion abruptly and too broadly to answer well
• Filler questions—ex. “Does this make sense?”—rarely get a response because it’s difficult to admit to not understanding something
• Questions with one-word answers do not sustain discussion
• Multiple questions asked as one can be too overwhelming to answer coherently

Tips for the best discussion: 

• Analysis, synthesis, and evaluation questions lead to long and in-depth discussions
• Start with a simple, knowledge-based question to “warm up” participants for discussion
• Use a question and task design wheel to formulate the best questions for your goals:

Improve your writing and study skills! Book an appointment with a writing advisor and/or academic coach on OSCARplus.  Questions? Email skills@mcmaster.ca. 

References

“Bloom’s Taxonomy.” Faculty Center, University of Central Florida, https://fctl.ucf.edu/teaching-resources/course-design/blooms-taxonomy/.  

“Bloom’s Taxonomy Question & Task Design Wheel.” Educational Technology and Mobile Learning, 16 April 2013, https://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/04/dont-miss-this-awesome-blooms-taxonomy.html. 

“Effective Questions for Leading Discussions.” Educational Development Centre, Carleton University, https://carleton.ca/edc/wp-content/uploads/Effective-Questions-for-Leading-Discussions.pdf  

“Facilitating Effective Discussions.” Centre for Teaching Excellence, University of Waterloo,   https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/alternatives-lecturing/discussions/facilitating-effective-discussions