Students should learn that informal and formal inquiries require different types of questions. Formal inquiries require an established process and typically include a specific goal, such as arriving at a new conclusion. For example, a formal inquiry into which literary genre is most popular might start by determining the size and sample criteria for a survey. An informal inquiry does not require the same complex processes as a formal inquiry. The goal of informal inquiry is often to gain context for something or begin exploring a new topic in a general way. For example, students investigating a simple topic, such reading habits among their peers, may generate questions such as “How many minutes per week do you spend reading?”

Students are expected to consider what they want to know about a topic and create questions that encourage investigation. Students should consider the general aspects of a topic (who, what, when, where, why, how) to create questions that narrow the focus of the inquiry. For instance, when researching an author, students might ask questions such as “Who influenced this writer? What topics does this author tend to focus on? When did this author begin publishing works?” Students should also identify opportunities for further inquiry after a discussion guided by a teacher either in a whole group or small group setting.