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Example of the Question Formulation Technique (QFT)

Example of the Question Formulation Technique (QFT) 

Topic: Understanding the Second Amendment 

Step 1: Question Generation
In small groups, students brainstorm questions about the Second Amendment. They focus on generating as many questions as possible without judgment or critique.  

Here are some sample questions they might come up with: 

  • What does the Second Amendment say? 
  • What were the Founders’ intentions when drafting the Second Amendment? 
  • How do Supreme Court cases like District of Columbia vs. Heller (2008) affect gun rights? 
  • What role does the Second Amendment play in current gun control debates? 
  • What impact do mass shootings have on discussions about the Second Amendment? 
  • Why do some people believe the Second Amendment should be repealed? 
  • Why do some people believe in preserving the Second Amendment? 
  • What are the arguments for and against stricter gun control laws? 
  • How do state laws regarding the Second Amendment differ from federal laws? 


Step 2: Question Refinement
After generating questions, groups select their top three questions and refine them for clarity and depth. Here’s how they might refine some of their questions: 

Original: What does the Second Amendment say?
Refined: What specific rights does the Second Amendment guarantee, and how are they defined? 

Original: What are the arguments for and against stricter gun control laws?
Refined: How do proponents and opponents of stricter gun control laws justify their positions based on the Second Amendment? 

 

Step 3: Question Prioritization
Groups then prioritize their refined questions based on their significance. For instance, they might decide that the following is their most pressing question:  

  • How do proponents and opponents of stricter gun control laws justify their positions based on the Second Amendment? 
  • What specific rights does the Second Amendment guarantee, and how are they defined? 

 

Step 4: Class Discussion
Facilitate a discussion around the prioritized questions. Encourage students to use resources and readings to provide context and support their insights. You might ask: 

  • Why do you think understanding historical events is crucial for interpreting the Second Amendment today? 
  • How do different interpretations of the Second Amendment affect current legislation?