Quescussion

Size: Entire class

Time: 10-15 minutes
Activity

1. Discussion facilitator starts the Quescussion by asking a question related to the

discussion topic, and writes it on the board.
2. Participants may only respond, or add to the discussion in the form of more
questions. Each question is written down on the board. This discussion model is very
informal and participants should (take turns) shouting out questions as they think of
them.
3. There are two rules: (1) If someone makes a statement everyone yells “statement!”,
and (2) Two other people must speak before a participant can participate again.
4. Following the Quescussion, the class can then focus on the questions one at a time,
or simply leave the ideas bouncing around in students’ heads while moving on to a
different activity or lecture.

Pointers

 This is a great activity for controversial topics. In getting students to ask questions,
you’re getting them to generate a variety of thoughts about the topic without them
directly stating their own views. Additionally, with each questions students are likely
thinking of answers to the proposed question.
 This activity also works will with really dense readings, where students ask genuine
questions about what the text might mean or be implying. (This works particularly
well for literature or more abstract poems).
 Quescussions are a great way to generate lists of questions people might ask, or
questions they want to address in a paper. For use in generating possible paper
topics, you can then break students up to draft mini-papers addressing one of the
questions.
 This activity can wander off topic. Additionally, students sometimes find the
“Statement!” rule a bit silly.