2 The question ladder approach

The Question Ladder Template is a series of two sets of words that are set out in a grid pattern. From top to bottom, running vertically at the left of the grid, there are question words:

  • Who
  • What
  • Where
  • When
  • Why
  • How

These are sometimes called ‘the five Ws and H’. A useful way of remembering these is Rudyard Kipling’s poem:

I keep six honest serving-men

(They taught me all I knew);

Their names are What and Why and When

And How and Where and Who

...

(Kipling, 1902)

‘The five Ws and H’ are coupled with question words running horizontally from left to right:

  • Is
  • Did
  • Can
  • Will
  • Would
  • Might

A useful way of remembering these is through a mnemonic. (A ‘mnemonic’ is a way of remembering a phrase or list of things where the initial letter of each word is combined to form a phrase or sentence.) I use the following:

In

Denmark

cats

will

whine

meow.

Cartoon of woman seated at desk with a thought bubble over her head containing a cat saying “Meow” with the Danish flag behind it
Figure 2: Mnemonics can be a useful way of remembering things

It is slightly ridiculous of course, but just about makes sense. I remember it because of those two characteristics; if it made perfect sense or was total nonsense I doubt I would remember it.

Activity 2

Timing: Allow around 10 minutes for this activity

Looking at the Question Ladder Template, consider the reasons you have decided to study this module. Select three random cells of the template and ask yourself the questions in the context of your motivation for studying the module. Make some notes in answer to these questions in the text box below.

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Discussion

I don’t know what cells you selected and the questions you asked yourself, but I randomly chose the following: ‘who is’, ‘why will’ and ‘how can’. Of course, my motivations are different to yours, but these are my questions regarding writing this module.

  • Who is the audience I am writing this module for?
  • Why will they want to engage with this module?
  • How can they best use this module?

They are also shown in Figure 3 below.

Question ladder template.
Figure 3: Using the template

1 When to use a question ladder

2.1 What do the questions mean?