5WH Technique for Brainstorming & Research

What? Where? Who?

When? Why? How?

To use the 5WH technique, first form questions from the question
words above and key words from a text, lecture or other source.

The use of questions is vital for studying. When you ask questions
about what you are studying then you begin to understand the
topic. You can use the 5WH technique to brainstorm assignment
questions and to help in researching topics. It is a way of ‘getting
into’ a topic and finding out what aspects of the topic that you
need to research.

You may find that some questions don’t make sense with some
topics or that some questions ask the same thing as an earlier
question that you have made up. In these circumstances only use
the questions which help you to probe the topic and understand its
main aspects. Some questions will also be more important than
others.

There are two types of information that 5WH questions can help
draw out:

Type 1: Facts
Questions that ask for facts may start with What, When, Who and
Where.

Examples: What is the subject of the lecture?

Where is the lecture room?
Who is giving the lecture?
When is the lecture?

Type 2: Critical Thought

Questions that require critical thought may start with Why and
How.
These questions help you to build answers to a topic and they
help you to formulate reasons for your answers.

Examples: Why do you study?

How do you study?

Study Guide Kahurangi Student Learning Centre

Example:
Below is an example to show you how to form questions from key words. The
topic is in the form of an assignment question. Key words have been
underlined. Do not forget the verb. The verb "discuss" indicates the depth of
critical thinking acquired for the question.

Eco-tourism and adventure tourism are growing sectors of the New Zealand
tourism industry. Discuss regulation of these sectors with particular regard
to safety and environmental issues.

1. Fact Finding Questions

What is eco-tourism? What is adventure tourism?

Who participates in eco-tourism? Who participates in adventure

tourism?

Where does eco-tourism happen? Where does adventure tourism

happen?

When did eco-tourism begin? When did adventure tourism begin?

What are the regulations that govern eco-tourism and/or adventure tourism?

What are the safety regulations? What are the environmental

regulations?

2. Critical Questions

Why are the safety regulations important?

Why are the environmental regulations important?

How do the safety regulations affect adventure tourism?

How do the environmental regulations affect eco-tourism?

Study Guide Kahurangi Student Learning Centre