Reading Strategy: Ask Questions

When you read, ask questions about the way the author wrote the selection. This will help you better understand what you read. Asking questions also helps you decide if the author has communicated a clear message.

Reading Strategy: Ask Questions
    How to Question the Author

  • 1. Pause in your reading and ask these questions: What is the author trying to say? Why is the author telling me this?

  • 2. State each answer clearly in your own words.

  • 3. If you cannot answer your own questions, reread the text and think about the reasons for the author’s decisions.

Strategy in Action

Here’s how one student asked questions.

Look Into the Text

Martin grew up. He became a minister like his father. And he used the big words he had heard as a child from his parents and from the Bible.

“Everyone can be great.”

He studied the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. He learned how the Indian nation won freedom without ever firing a gun. Martin said “love,” when others said “hate.”

“Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.”

What does the author mean by “big words”?

Maybe the author means that words like “hate” and “love” have a big impact.

Practice Together

Reread the passage above and ask two more questions. Follow the steps in the How-To box. Put your questions on sticky notes next to the passage.