Questioning the
Author
“QtA”
Barbara Fetner
Overview
• QtA is when students reflect on what the author is trying
to say in order to construct meaning.
• It is used in grades K-12
• The strategy can be implemented for
narrative and expository texts
• Content area classrooms can use QtA while reading the
textbook.
• QtA does not require a student to be able to read because of
the collaboration done between the teacher and students.
Methodology
• The lesson begins with an open-ended question asked by the
teacher after reading
• Students provide responses
• The teacher then provides follow-up comments or questions
built on each other.
• Discussions result and students are able to consider the
author's point as well as student's point.
• Teachers are able to model the QtA approach by discussing
aloud their thoughts about the questions they ask while
reading.
• Students learn by participating in discussions and
collaborating with other students.
• Students draw from prior knowledge about a concept and
through discussion and apply new ideas to it.
• Students must understand words in order to understand the
text.
• Constructivist Approach
– Teacher facilitates discussion and gradually releases
the leadership role to the students.
– Students are active participants in the discussion.
– Students then begin to initiate questioning and
respond to fellow peers’ ideas
Outcome
• Students learn to:
– focus on the author's message
– link information through discussions
– offer ideas
• Students participating in the seminal article study increased
various levels of constructing meaning.
• Students self monitoring also increased during the
implementation of the QtA strategy.
References
Seminal Articles:
Beck, I., McKeown, M., Sandora, C., Kucan, L., & Worthy, J. (1996). Questioning the
Author: A Yearlong Classroom Implementation to Engage Students with Text.
The Elementary School Journal, 96(4), 385-414.
McKeown, M., Beck, I. (2004). Transforming Knowledge into Professional
Development Resources: Six Teachers Implement a Model of Teaching for
Understanding Text. The Elementary School Journal, 104(5), 391-408.
Books:
Beck, I. (1997). Questioning the Author: an approach for enhancing student
engagement with text. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.
Question the Author: Reading Rockets
Videos: Questioing the Author