Six Facets of Understanding Question Starters

Explanation

• What is the key idea in . . . ?
• What are examples of . . . ?
• Whare the characteristics/parts of . . . ?
• How did this come about? Why is this so?
• What caused . . . ?  What are the effects of . . . ?
• How might we prove/confirm/justify . . . ?
• How is . . . connected to . . . ?
• What might happen if . . . ?
• What are common misconceptions about . . . ?

Interpretation

• What is the meaning of . . . ?
• What are the implications of . . . ?
• What does . . . reveal about . . . ?
• How is . . .like . . . ?
• How does . . . relate to me/us/the world, etc.?
• So what? Why does it matter?

Application

• How and when can we use  . . . ?
• How is . . . applied in the larger world?
• How might . . . help us to . . . ?
• How could we use . . . to overcome . . . ?

Perspective

• What are different points of view about . . . ?
• How might this look from . . . 's perspective?
• How is . . . similar to/different from . . . ?
• What are other possible reactions to . . . ?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of . . . ?
• What are the limites of . . . ?
• What is the evidence for . . . .?
• Is this evidence reliable? Sufficient?

Empathy

• What would it be like to walk in . . . 's shoes? Why?
• How might . . . feel about . . . ? Why?
• How might we reacn an understanding about . . . ?
• What was . . . trying to make us feel/see?

Self-Knowledge

• How do I know . . . ?
• What are the limits of my knowledge about . . . ?
• What are my "blind spots" about . . . ?
• How can I best show . . . ?
• How are my views about . . . shaped by . . . (experiences, habits, prejudices, style)?
• What are my strenghts and weaknesses in . . . ?

(Wiggins & McTighe, 2011, p. 99)