Question or statement? Start with what the sentence does

Read the sentence as part of a short exchange. Ask whether it seeks information or communicates something, then choose punctuation that matches that use rather than relying only on the sentence's opening word.

'The parcel is here.' tells something; 'Is the parcel here?' asks for information using a different sentence structure.

Read the intention in context

Read what each sentence is doing. Identify whether it asks or tells. Revise the punctuation and read again.

Read the sentence in its intended context before choosing punctuation. Its communicative purpose matters more than the presence of one familiar opening word.

Does the reader know whether an answer is expected? Read both versions aloud before writing.

A question mark alone does not repair unclear wording.

Resources

• Six-Panel Comic Challenge — Use the panels when a visual story sequence supports the task.

Further reading

• Literacy Hub — Teaching reading professional learning

Read next

• A story title should create the right expectation
• Ask a question that belongs to this particular text
• Let children tell the story before they write it

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