7/28/2019 Generating Ideas for an Essay by Asking Questions

1/2

RYERSON UNIVERSITY

LEARNING SUPPORT SERVICES

Generating Ideas for an Essay by Asking Questions

1. You can generate ideas for an essay by using the journalists fivews and an h.

Who did/does . . . ?

What is the definition of . . . ? What does . . . mean?What is an example of . . . ?What are the types of . . . ?

What are the steps in process X?What causes . . . to occur? What are the reasons that/for . . . ?What are the results/effects of . . . ?What conclusions can be drawn from . . . ?

What is the relationship between . . . and . . . ?What are the problems/conflicts/issues?

What are possible solutions/resolutions to theseproblems/conflicts/issues?

Where did/does . . . occur?

When did/does . . . occur?

Why did/does . . . occur ?

How much/many of . . . ?How did/does . . . occur?How does . . . function?How does . . . affect . . . ?How is . . . similar to/different from . . . ?

2. You can also ask questions according to the different methods of developing essays.Youll see that many of the above questions are repeated below; they have just beencategorized in a different way. Youll also see that some of the questions below express

the same idea in different words ; use whichever wording you prefer.

Expository essay:

definition (explain the meaning of a term or concept)What is the definition of . . . ? What does . . . mean?

classification and division (divide material into types that fit under a generalcategory)

What are the types of . . . ?

7/28/2019 Generating Ideas for an Essay by Asking Questions

2/2

causes and/or effects (explain either separate causes/effects or a chain of causesand effects)Causes

Why did/does . . . occur? What causes . . . to occur? What are thereasons that/for . . . ?

EffectsHow does X affect Y? What are the results/effects of . . . ? What are theconsequences of . . . ?

process analysis (explain how to do something)

How does a person complete process X? What are the steps in process X?

systems analysis (explain how physical objects such as computers or abstractsystems such as administrative structures work)

How does . . . function?

comparison (show the similarities and/or differences between 2 or more things)How is X similar to Y?How is X different from Y?

Persuasive essay:

You can strengthen your argument in a persuasive paper by acknowledging and refutingan opposing point of view, so the following questions prompt you to consider at least twoperspectives on an issue.

reasons and examples (used to support one opinion and argue against another)

General questions:What is the major issue? Are there subcategories of this issue?Why should a reader accept opinion X? Why should a reader accept

opinion Y?Why should a reader oppose opinion X? Why should a reader oppose

opinion Y?More specific questions:

What examples support opinion X? What examples support opinion Y?What examples oppose opinion X? What examples oppose opinion Y?What reasons support opinion X? What reasons support opinion Y?What reasons oppose opinion X? What reasons oppose opinion Y?

evaluation of strengths and weaknesses on aesthetic, moral, logical, or

practical groundsWhat are the strengths of . . . ? How can I prove this?What are the weaknesses of . . . ? How can I prove this?

In a persuasive paper, you can incorporate expository techniques to support your opinion.For example, you could support an action because it will have beneficial effects/results.