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Initial Publication Date: December 21, 2006
Socratic questions can be phrased in three general ways:
  1. To explore a general aspect of course material.
    "Describe different types of tectonic movement along plate boundaries."
  2. To encourage creativity and brainstorming.
    "Think of as many causes as possible for the origin of a large boulder found perched upon a nearly flat plain that is underlain by a rock type different from that of the boulder."
  3. To focus attention on a specific problem.
    "Compare the evidence used by scientists to support the idea of biological evolution (or modern global warming) with that used by others who reject the possibility of evolution (or global warming)."
Educational researchers refer to specific categories of questions, indicated below with examples.

Questions of Clarification Questions that Probe Assumptions Questions that Probe Reasons and Evidence Questions that Probe Implications and Consequences

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