Conclusion Strategies: Posing a Question
Description
The author concludes by posing an open-ended question for the reader to ponder. Its purpose is to extend the reader’s thinking about the topic.
Published Example
From W. Roessing’s “Tick, Tick, Tick” in the May 2000 issue of Boys’ Life magazine:
When the fury stops, Montserrat may yet rebuild just as those around Mount St. Helens did. Who will have to rebuild next?
Discussion
This strategy challenges the reader to take the information in the report and apply it to a new situation. Posing a Question begins with the Summary strategy but goes beyond it, signaling a farewell to the reader while raising a new question to consider.
Mary and Barbara’s Example
How our own report might have ended if we’d used this strategy:
There are definitely two sides to the debate about increasing the number of wolves in certain sections of the country. What would the impact be if people could address this issue, seeing the positive from both perspectives?