Best Practices for Writing Discussion Questions
Writing a good discussion question is sometimes more challenging than it seems. And that's generally because we're not taught how to write them! Below are some best practices to help you get started.
A strong discussion question…
... demonstrates a strong understanding of the text (even when it's asking for clarity)
Don’t Ask: "I don't understand the Lateran Council"
Ask: "I understand what the Lateran Council was, but what is its significance to the prison system."
... situates us in the text by pointing to specific language, and creates dialogue between texts.
Don’t Ask: "Jon Ronson talks a lot about shame... but is shame really unavoidable?"
Ask: “On page 13, Ronson describes shame as, "A." And on page 28, Lancaster defines shame as "B." Does Lancaster's definition of shame help us understand the logic of scapegoating better or worse than Ronson's?"
... generates discussion. You're not writing exam questions, you're inviting conversation
Don’t Ask: "Why is the Eastern State Penitentiary important to the history of the American prison system?"
Ask: Where do we see "penitentiary logics" in today's political discourse around incarceration? What can we anticipate about its efficacy based on the example of Eastern State?
... engages the value of a concept, not the "accuracy" of a concept.
Don’t Ask: "Isn't the definition of 'moral panics' vague?"
Ask: "On page 24, Gilbert makes a distinction between "moral panics" and "media panics." What's the value of making that distinction and in what context is it important to distinguish between them?"
... doesn't lead to just one answer.
For example.... Instead of asking: "Isn't it problematic that Grant only describes the experience of men?"
Ask: "How is Grant's theoretical framework limited by the absence of women's perspectives? And how does that limit its applicability?"
Instead of…
“Isn’t it kind of problematic that…”
“But isn’t it complicated?”
“What’s an example of?”
Try
“What are the effects of defining/limiting _________ in this way?”
“What does this framework enable or constrain?”
“Is this framework applicable to…”
“How does this case help us better understand/anticipate/predict…”
“How would you evaluate _________ in light of _________?”