What question would best prompt higher-order analysis in a post-reading discussion?

The choice that best prompts higher-order analysis in a post-reading discussion is centered on the relationships depicted by the narrator. This question encourages students to engage with complex literary concepts such as symbolism, character development, and thematic interpretation.

By examining how the narrator’s relationships differ and resemble one another, students must analyze various layers of meaning within the text, considering motivations, contexts, and character dynamics. This type of inquiry promotes critical thinking, allowing students to compare and contrast different elements of the narrative, while also making inferences about the broader implications of these relationships on the story’s themes and messages.

In contrast, asking who states a key quote focuses more on recall than analysis. Examining character descriptions hones in on surface-level observations without delving into their deeper implications. Investigating how the author advances the plot through dialogue, while important, may lead to a more functional understanding of plot mechanics rather than encouraging synthesis of ideas about character relationships, making D the more suitable choice for prompting higher-order thought.