Thin Questions vs. Thick Questions

The title of your passion project is going to be in question form, in a thick-question format.

Thin Questions

  • Can be answered very easily

  • Usually can be answered with one word

  • There is not much discussion needed to answer a thin question

  • The answer can be easily found - It is "Googable"

  • Answers are on the surface

Examples of Thin Questions

Ex. Who is the main character?
Ex. Where does the setting take place?

Thin Questions start with:

Who...
What...
Where...
When...

Rough Idea of Your Thick Question

Thick Questions

  • Harder to answer

  • Needs evidence to help answer the question

  • There might be many answers

  • Answers have depth

  • Need background knowledge to help answer the question

  • Answers might be open-ended - "Non-Googable"

Question Starters for THICK Questions

What is the impact...
What is the influence...
What is the relationship...
What if...
What would happen...
What could happen...
What is the result...
How can you use...
What is the cause...
What is the effect...
How can you change or modify...
What could be done to improve
Why...
How...