IV - Creating Questions Lesson

The best questions are open-ended. They begin with "How?" "What?" "Where?" "When?" "Why?" They're conversation starters and can help to encourage answers that produce information needed for a complete and accurate story.

Closed-ended questions are more limited, but they have an important purpose. Ask them when you need a direct answer. Closed-ended questions put people on the record.

The worst kinds of questions stop conversation, and these include double-barreled questions. Double-barreled questions give the subject a choice that allows them to avoid the question they want to ignore and choose to answer only the less difficult portion.

Craft questions in advance to ensure you ask ones that start conversations rather than halt them in their tracks.

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