Question-Asking
Judge a man of his questions
rather than his answers.
-Voltaire
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Phillip G. Clampitt, Ph.D.
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Question-Asking
I. The importance of question-asking
“I’m so dumb. See, I haven’t studied and I
can’t get this math problem.”
-Felix Freshman
II. Examining the assumptions behind
questions
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III. Evaluating the
appropriateness of the question
A. Consider possible responses
B. Consider the purpose of the question
C. Consider the wording of the question
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IV. Choosing between
open/closed questions
A. Open questions
1. Define
2. Advantages
3. Disadvantages
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IV. Choosing between
open/closed questions (cont’d)
B. Closed questions
1. Define
2. Advantages
3. Disadvantages
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V. Direct/indirect questions
A. Direct questions
1. Define
2. When useful
3. When not useful
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V. Direct/indirect questions
(cont’d)
B. Indirect questions
1. Define
2. When useful
3. When not useful
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VI. Probes
Why Probe?
Non-directive Probes
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Silence
Nudging (neutral
phrases)
Reflective statement
Internal summary
Directive Problems
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Phillip G. Clampitt, Ph.D.
Restatement
Informational
Clearinghouse
Reconciling
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VII. Problem questions
Bi-polar
Open-to-Closed Switch
Double-barreled
Two-in-one
Leading
 Tone of voice
 Emotional words
 Identify the answer
 Link to a powerful person
Guessing Game
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