Unanswered Questions

***The Elements of Depth & Complexity are, to put it simply, a framing tool for creating critical writing prompts. Each Element is paired with an Icon. Drawing and/or memorizing the Icon is secondary to the actual USE of the Element to create better questions. When students learn what each Element means, they can start creating prompts for themselves, saving the teacher a lot of time.

This Element focuses students' attention on what is missing from the topic at hand. What points are unsolved, unclear, or unproven. Was the wrong conclusion drawn? Provide evidence to support the correct conclusion. This Element is fantastic for drawing out students' passions to make connections to the topic, i.e. "How does this connect/apply to something you're looking into as a future career? Metaphorical connections are fine."

Prompts may include:

  • Eliciting questions that the text made students think about
  • What students ponder about the story
  • Who can they ask for more information or clarification (and then do it)
  • What disciplines can teach them more about the topic and why
  • Clarifying a misconception for a fellow student
  • Discovering common misconceptions and finding an easy way to dispel them
  • Is there insufficient evidence for the author to make the claim they did? Prove it with math.

Social Studies

  1. What questions do you have about the significant historical events occuring during the timeframe of the story?
  2. Are there any historical figures in this story about whom you are curious of their background and childhood? Write up a timeline of at least ten of the most significant events in their life.
  3. History is often defined by chance or luck occurring during a turning point. Find and describe a point in time that led up to this major historical event where things could easily have turned out much differently.
  4. What would the world look like today if _____________ (historical event) had never occurred?
  5. Do you see potential for a project here? Does this topic interest you so much that you’d like to just run with it? If so, write up a proposal for a project, share it with your teacher, and get started.
  6. What is missing from this explanation that could make it more clear? A helpful graphic? Important information? More examples? Incomplete definitions?
  7. Is there something you know about this topic that the author left out? What was it, and why did they leave it out?
  8. What questions do you have about the motivations, potentials, or fine details of what you’ve learned? Write them up and give your teacher the homework of answering them.
  9. In what ways does the Texas Education Agency or other governing bodies restrict the content involved in this topic? Is this ethical? Why or why not?

English

  1. Research how this topic connects to one of your own interests. Create a product that blends this topic with your area of interest.
  2. Do you see potential for a project here? Does this topic interest you so much that you’d like to just run with it? If so, write up a proposal for a project, share it with your teacher, and get started.
  3. What is missing from this explanation that could make it more clear? A helpful graphic? Important information? More examples? Incomplete definitions?
  4. Is there something you know about this topic that the author left out? What was it, and why did they leave it out?
  5. How well does this ___________ (text) withstand the test of time? What three words would you change in the text to give it a facelift for the modern day?
  6. Authors often draw from a profound personal experience to give their text emotion, depth, and color. Research the life of the author and try to pinpoint their inspiration for this piece. Video yourself or write out a description of this event and its effect on the author and this piece of literature.
  7. What ethical questions do you have for the author about his or her choices regarding ___________ (topic)?
  8. In what ways does the Texas Education Agency or other governing bodies restrict the content involved in this topic? Is this ethical? Why or why not?

Math

  1. What questions do you have about the motivations, potentials, or fine details of what you’ve learned? Write them up and give your teacher the homework of answering them.
  2. Did anything not sit well with you? Find a tutorial video on YouTube or in another forum (teachertube.com, khanacademy, show.me, etc.) that explains the concept better and share the video with the class. Be sure to explain your thoughts on what you felt was missing before showing the video.
  3. “Where will I ever use this?” is a question teachers often have to answer. Put yourself in your teacher’s shoes and find five specific fields that use this concept on a daily basis. Find the base annual salary of one of your five fields (or all if you’d like).
  4. Describe any ethical considerations when a student who plans to choose a non-STEM career to learn these concepts. What questions do you have about why this knowledge is a requirement?
  5. What questions do you have about mathematicians who first used these concepts or scientists who used these ideas in novel ways? Research and share your findings with the class in a presentation mode of your choice.
  6. Do you see potential for a project here? Does this topic interest you so much that you’d like to just run with it? If so, write up a proposal for a project, share it with your teacher, and get started.
  7. Research how this topic connects to one of your own interests. Create a product that blends this topic with your area of interest.
  8. What questions do you have about the motivations, potentials, or fine details of what you’ve learned? Write them up and give your teacher the homework of answering them.
  9. In what ways does the Texas Education Agency or other governing bodies restrict the content involved in this topic? Is this ethical? Why or why not?

Science

  1. Report to the library or find a current research article online that catches you up on the most current knowledge surrounding this topic. Write a brief summary of the article, create a QR code from the link, and pass it to your teacher to share with the class.
  2. What aspects of this topic interest or excite you so much that you’d like to just run with it? Write up a proposal for a project, share it with your teacher, and get started.
  3. Research how this topic connects to one of your own interests. Create a product that blends this topic with your area of interest.
  4. What is missing from this explanation that could make it more clear? A helpful graphic? Important information? More examples? Incomplete definitions?
  5. Is there something you know about this topic that the author left out? What was it, and why did they leave it out?
  6. What questions do you have about the motivations, potentials, or fine details of what you’ve learned? Write them up and give your teacher the homework of answering them.
  7. In what ways does the Texas Education Agency or other governing bodies restrict the content involved in this topic? Is this ethical? Why or why not?