1. What is a Q&A Outline, and How Do You Write One?

Bruce W. Tuckman
The Ohio State University

2. What is a Q&A Outline?

A summary of an entire textbook chapter or article
Constructed by identifying the "questions" that the content "answers"
With the focus on the content's main points

3. What is the Logic Behind the Q&A Outline?

All written, expository material can be regarded as answers to implicit questions
Identifying these questions and linking them to "answers" helps in understanding and recalling the information
And also serves as a study guide

4. What is the Magnitude of a Q&A Chapter or Article Outline?

About 20-25 questions and brief answers (including page number locations)
That span the entire chapter or article
Typed on two pages (single-spaced, 10 point font, no blank lines)

5. What Are the General Features of the Questions?

All end in question marks
Cannot be answered YES/NO
All cover main points
Consecutively numbered
With brief answers (and page number locations)

6. What Are the Different Kinds of Questions?

Recap Questions (RC)
Reflection Questions (RF)
Reasoning Questions (RS)
(Do NOT include Detail Questions)

7. What Are Recap Questions and How Do You Write Them?

Questions whose answers summarize entire sections or subsections of text
Typically constructed by converting headings into question form
Can make up all or most of the entire outline (if text has enough headings)

8. What Do You Do If There Are Few or No Headings?

Primarily write Reflection Questions

9. What Are Reflection Questions and How Do You Write Them?

Questions whose answers summarize paragraphs
Typically constructed on basis of first sentence, words in italics or boldface, or items in numbered or bulleted list

10. What Are Reasoning Questions and How Do You Write Them?

Questions whose answers are related to but go beyond information in text
Look like essay questions on a test
Typically constructed by requiring one to explain, apply, compare, or critique ideas in text
Answers cannot be contained in text

11. How Many Reasoning Questions Should You Write?

2 per chapter or article (out of the 20-25 total questions)
Including brief answers (that you make up yourself)
They should appear at the end of the Q&A Outline