Question Answer Relationships (QAR)

Question Answer Relationships (QAR) is based on research done by Taffy Raphael who found that when students understand how questions are created, they do a better job when answering and asking questions. Raphael created Question-Answer Relationships as a way to help students realize that the answers they seek are related to the type of question that is asked; it encourages them to be strategic about their search for answers based on an awareness of what different types of questions look for. Even more important is an understanding of where the answer will come from.

The purposes of QAR are

• To increase comprehension of text
• To develop a better response to comprehension questions
• To get students thinking critically about the text
• To get students asking the questions and leading the discussions

Implementation

1. Explain the two broad categories of questions (and the four subcategories) to students as an introduction to the QAR strategy. (See chart under Managing the Activity))
2. Provide a reading selection and a set of questions about its content. Model the placement of the questions in the framework of the QAR model.
3. Next, divide the class into small groups and provide each with a reading selection and a set of questions. Have the groups place the questions in the QAR framework.
4. Finally, provide the groups with a new reading selection and ask them to develop questions from its content. Have the students evaluate their own questions in light of the QAR framework.

Classroom Management

Explain The Four QARs!

1. Right There. The answer is in the text, and if we pointed at it, we'd say it's "right there!" Often, the answer will be in a single sentence or place in the text, and the words used to create the question are often also in that same place.
2. Think and Search. The answer is in the text, but you might have to look in several different sentences to find it. It is broken up or scattered or requires a grasp of multiple ideas across paragraphs or pages.
3. Author and You. The answer is not in the text, but you still need information that the author has given you, combined with what you already know, in order to respond to this type of question.
4. On My Own. The answer is not in the text, and in fact you don't even have to have read the text to be able to answer it.