How can teachers effectively elicit information about cause-and-effect in stories?

Asking leading questions about character actions is an effective way to elicit information about cause-and-effect in stories because it encourages students to think critically about the characters' motivations, decisions, and the consequences that follow. This technique prompts students to engage more deeply with the text, drawing connections between events and outcomes.

For instance, if a teacher asks, "What happens when the character decides to lie to their friend?" students must consider not only the action of lying but also its ramifications. This approach fosters analytical thinking and comprehension, allowing students to articulate how one event can influence another.

In contrast, simply providing answers does not engage students' critical thinking; focusing on superficial details might lead to misunderstanding the deeper narrative structure; and limiting discussions can prevent students from exploring and articulating their thoughts fully, which is crucial for grasping complex text elements like cause and effect.