The short version: A good HL-essay line of inquiry is focused (narrow enough for 1,500 words), arguable (there's a real claim to make), and about authorial choices (‘how does the writer…’), not a topic or a yes/no fact.
The whole essay stands or falls on the question — get it focused and arguable and the argument almost writes itself.
Not ‘What is the theme of the novel?’ (a topic) and not ‘Is the narrator sad?’ (a closed yes/no), but ‘HOW does the writer use the unreliable narrator to explore self-deception?’ — a question about authorial choices, with a real argument to develop. Narrow enough to answer deeply in 1,500 words.
Framing the question
Ask ‘how’ or ‘to what effect’
Focus on the writer's CHOICES, not just the content: ‘how does the writer…’.
Make it arguable
There should be a real claim to prove — not a fact or a yes/no.
Keep it narrow
Narrow enough to answer in depth in 1,200–1,500 words — one aspect, not everything.
Root it in the work
The question must be answerable through close analysis of the work.
The key move: Frame a ‘how does the writer…’ question that is focused, arguable, and about authorial choices — narrow enough to answer deeply in 1,500 words.
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Why it matters in the exam: The line of inquiry drives Criterion C (focus and development): a sharp, arguable question keeps the essay focused and lets you develop one argument in depth. A broad or closed question produces a shallow or listy essay.
Sharpen this weak HL-essay question: ‘What themes are in the novel?’
Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Watch out: Avoid two traps: a topic (‘the theme of love’) that invites a list, and a closed yes/no (‘Is the ending happy?’) that has no argument to develop. Ask ‘HOW does the writer…’.