Students often write discussion questions that ask classmates to recall what happened rather than interpret the text. This mini-lesson helps them develop questions that invite different interpretations and require supporting evidence.

This free 45-minute mini-lesson uses an excerpt from Frank R. Stockton’s “The Lady, or the Tiger?” (1882) to help students in grades 9–12 distinguish comprehension questions, leading questions, and interpretive questions. Stockton’s unresolved ending gives students a useful opportunity to consider conflicting evidence without having to agree on a single answer.

WHAT'S INCLUDED
• A brief introduction and public-domain excerpt from “The Lady, or the Tiger?”
• Vocabulary support and a short annotation task
• A comparison of three types of literary questions
• Practice revising a question that assumes an unproven outcome
• A structured activity for writing a text-based discussion question
• Space to test two different interpretations against the passage
• A partner or small-group discussion record and exit reflection
• Teacher guidance, a suggested 45-minute sequence, and sample responses
• A separate four-page student-only PDF
• An editable PowerPoint edition of the full resource

HOW TO USE IT
Read and annotate the excerpt together or independently. Have students compare the example questions and revise the leading question. Next, students write a question of their own, consider two answers that could be supported by the text, and use that question in a short discussion. The final reflection asks students to consider whether another reader changed or complicated their thinking.

AT A GLANCE
Grades: 9–12
Subjects: English Language Arts / Literature / Close Reading / Discussion
Suggested time: 45 minutes
Pages: 8-page complete resource, including 4 printable student pages
Formats: PDF and editable PowerPoint in a ZIP file
Answer key: Teacher guidance and sample responses included
Other texts needed: None; the excerpt is included

This is a complete free classroom lesson, not a preview of a paid product.

Created by Plotting Something | Secondary ELA resources designed for careful reading, evidence-based interpretation, and meaningful classroom discussion.

Text note: The included excerpt from Frank R. Stockton's “The Lady, or the Tiger?” (1882) is public domain in the United States. The instructional materials and sample responses are original to Plotting Something.