questions in academic papers

[daijobu]

Does anyone happen to know where MCT comes down on including questions in academic papers?  Something like, "Why were the early pioneers motivated to move to the West?"  

 

Is this considered appropriate for academic essay writing?  

[8filltheheart]

No idea about MCT, but I wouldn't use that type of question in an academic paper. Writing a real question in terms of a statement, though is a different matter. For example, So and so questioned the validity of x,y,z which lead to the investigation of whatever.

 

IMHO, a simple question written like your example is typically a sign of lack of confidence in developing a strong thesis statement.

[Paige]

I haven't seen it addressed in MCT, although to be fair, I am confident enough in my academic writing that I find myself not referring to the teacher's manual much at all after giving an assignment. I agree with the PP, I would make my student rewrite that sentence. There are better ways to phrase whatever point you want to get across. There may be rare situations when questions like that could be included in academic writing, but I wouldn't accept it unless my student was already a skilled and experienced writer and the sentence fit the tone and purpose of the overall piece. I don't think it absolutely breaks a rule, but it's not something I want to see in student work. I also would not want to see a question in the title or in any subject heading.