INTERROGATIVE THOUGHT AND THE MEANS OF ITS 
EXPRESSION. 
EDWARD T. OWEN, PH. D., 
Professor of the French Language and Literature in the 
University of Wisconsin. 
GENERAL PURPOSE. 
The main results of the following investigation were sub¬ 
mitted to the academy at the meeting of December, 1901. They 
exhibit the question as the final term in a crescendo consisting of 
expressions 
A, Suggestive, giving only what is conceived; e. g. “You to be 
industrious.” 
B, Assertive, giving assurance of (vouching for) what is con¬ 
ceived ; e. g. “You are industrious.” 
O, Imperative, giving assurance of desire (etc.) for what is 
conceived; e. g. “Be industrious!” 
D, Interrogative, giving assurance of desire for information 
as to what is conceived; e. g. “Are you industrious ?”* 
The question being regarded as a demand for information (or 
a command that information be given)—that is, as an impera- 
*A fifth term may he found in the questioned question, giving as¬ 
surance of desire for information as to your desire for information as 
to what is conceived; e. g., to the question, “Are you industrious?” I 
answer “ r Am I industrious?’?” 
