Excerpt pertaining to the main medieval format for natural philosophy: the question (questio)

From pages 127-129 of Foundations of Modern Science in the Middle Ages, by Edward Grant.

"The questio, or question, was the most widely and regularly used format for natural philosophy. [...] it grew out of the commentary, but it was structurally akin to the oral disputation that was such a prominent feature of medieval university education. It was actually a teaching master's written version of the questions that he presented orally in his classroom lectures. Because of its disputational structure, the questio form of literature and analysis has become almost synonymous with the concept of medieval "scholastic method." Although occasional variations in the arrangement of the constituents of a standard format that remained remarkably constant over the centuries. First came the enunciation of the problem of question, usually beginning with a phrase such as "Let us inquire whether" or simply " Whether" (utrum): for example, "whether the earth is spherical," or "Whether the earth moves," or "Whether it is possible that several worlds exist." This was followed by one or more - sometimes as many as five or six - solutions supporting either the negative or the affirmative position. If the arguments for the affirmative side appeared first, the reader could assume that the author would probably adopt and defend the affirmative side. The initial opinions, which would ultimately be rejected, were called the "principal arguments" (rationes principales).

    Immediately following the principal arguments , the author presented, briefly, the opposite opinion, usually introduced by the term oppositum. The appropriateness of using the term "opposite" to introduce the alternative opinion is evident from the fact that medieval authors were responding to questions that required yes or no responses.  [...] The oppositum was largely confined to the citation of at least one authority -often Aristotle himself - who was in disagreement with the opening affirmative opinion. [...] 

    After the principal and opposite arguments, the author might further clarify and qualify his understanding of the question or explain particular terms in it. [...]

    After adding whatever qualifications he deemed necessary, the author was ready to present his own opinions, usually by one or more detailed conclusions or propositions. To anticipate objections, the master might even choose to raise doubts about his own conclusions and subsequently resolve them. To conclude the question, he would respond sequentially to each of the principal arguments enunciated at the outset."