The Question Mark ( ? )

The question mark is used to end a direct question, and to end a rhetorical question.

Question Mark for Direct Questions

• Why is a raven like a writing desk?
  
  This direct question was asked by the hatter in Lewis Carroll's book Alice in Wonderland. Direct speech and direct questions are rarely found in academic writing unless the topic is literature or linguists. However, questions are posed in academic writing, as outlined below.

Question Mark for Rhetorical Questions

Rhetorical questions are asked for effect and the writer may or may not supply an answer. In academic writing it is one way of providing an explanation. A question is posed and the writer supplies the answer. This is the most common use or the question and the question mark in academic writing.

• Imagine delicate frozen crystals on a windowpane during a cold day. What creates that pattern?     (context)
• But then why do so many people find astrology so useful if its predictions are not well founded? Why are astrological signs and horoscopes so popular?     (context)
• But is any of it true? And where did this idea come from in the first place?     (context)