CHAPTER TWO

Which questions
matter?
The most important thinking requires
one of these three prime questions…

Why?

How?

Which?
Why?...the favorite question
for wondering

It is the
• Why does the rain
fall?

basic tool • Why are there even

and odd numbers?

for • Why does a sentence

need a noun and a

figuring verb?
• Why do people leave
things out their homes and seek
out a new place to live?
 Why?
This question
Why do requires
things analysis of
cause-and-
happen effect and the
the way relationship
between
they do? variables.
 Why?
It leads naturally to
problem-solving, the
HOW questions, and to
decision-making, the
WHICH questions.
How?...the favorite question of
inventors
It is the • How might we do
basic tool for this in another way?
fixing things • How did the
character’s actions
and for impact the story’s
ending?
changing the • How did WWII
way of change the political
things. landscape of Europe?
• How does this
software work?
 How?
How could This question
things be is the basis
made/done for problem-
solving and
differently? synthesis.
 How?

Using HOW questions

pulls and changes things
around until a new or
better version emerges.
 Which?...the question for
decision-making

It
• If you were a gold miner,
describe which route you
would take to the gold
determines fields.

what we • Which chemical compound

is the best choice to use

choose or for this experiment?

• Which story had the
who we greatest impact on your
thinking?
become. • Which solution path makes
the most sense to you?
 Which?

This question
requires
Which do thoughtful
I select? decision-making.
 Which?

Answering WHICH questions

requires reasoning and choices
based upon explicit or clearly-
stated criteria and evidence.
 Why? How? Which?

Additionally, when used in

combination with one
another, deeper, richer
questions emerge.
 Why? How? Which?
• If you were a gold miner, describe which route you would
take to the gold fields. Why would you chose that route?

• Which chemical compound is the best choice to use for

this experiment? How did you decide it was the best?

• Which story had the greatest impact on your thinking

and why?

• Which solution path makes the most sense to you? How

will this path help you solve the problem?
 Why? How? Which?

Task #3 and #4:

Go to the assignments tab

and click on the link for
Tasks #3 and 4.