Article Instructor 10 Tips to Create Great Readers Teach good habits and watch reading skills soar, By Paul Bambiick-Santoyo Universal Prompts Tired of asking simple questions that elicit one-word responses? Here's a handy guide to open-ended prompts that promote both discussion and critical thinking. Prompt: “Tell me more.” ‘When to Use: Student gives a limited response. Prompt: “What in the story makes you think that?" feacher wants a student to go back into the text to a place that shows his or her thinking, Student uses too much personal experience in his or her response. Prompt: ‘Why do you think that?” When to Use: Student gives a factual response, and teacher wants to understand why student has made that conclusion, Prompt: “Why is that important?” When to Use: Student gives a fact but does not make an inference. Prompt: [Repeat original question] When to Use: Student does not answer original question. Paul Bambrick-Santoyo is the managing director of Uncommon Schools-North Star Academy in Newark, New Jersey. He is the author of Driven by Data, Leverage Leadership, and Groat Habits, Great Readers.