NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
50 Years of ERIC
50 Years of ERIC
The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) is celebrating its 50th Birthday! First opened on May 15th, 1964 ERIC continues the long tradition of ongoing innovation and enhancement.

Learn more about the history of ERIC here. PDF icon

Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
ERIC Number: EJ376161
Record Type: CIJE
Publication Date: 1988
Pages: N/A
Abstractor: N/A
Reference Count: 0
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
"Why" Questions and "Why" Answers: Patterns and Purposes.
Thomas, Dene Kay
Language Arts, v65 n6 p552-56 Oct 1988
Claims "why" questions are asked out of curiosity or criticism. Discusses eight methods of answering (appealing to authority, tradition, popularity, practicality, or feelings, admitting ignorance, turning the question back, and addressing reasons). Argues that "why" sits at the very heart of learning. (SR)
Descriptors: Curiosity, Elementary Education, Inquiry, Learning Processes, Motivation, Questioning Techniques
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Opinion Papers; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: Question Answering; Questions
Note: Themed Issue: Critical Literacy/Critical Thinking.