What makes a great question?

SFC Rich Carey — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 08:30:06 -0500

What are the ingredients of a great question?

Is it a question that is thought provoking or requires a specific answer?

Or is it something that you find you are emotionally attached?

Response by SFC Robert Trodahl made Jan 22 at 2014 8:40 AM

SFC Robert Trodahl — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 08:40:01 -0500

It is something that makes people want to respond. You need to strike an emotion with your question. How to do that........I will wait to read future posts.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jun 27 at 2014 8:57 AM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 08:57:19 -0400

I would think one that draws on someone's experience and that requires a little reflection or cerebral thought to answer.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 27 at 2014 12:19 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 12:19:22 -0400

A non-rhetorical one that actually invokes or elicits an answer! :-)

See what I mean.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2014 5:10 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 17:10:12 -0400

That's a good question SFC.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2014 5:46 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 17:46:45 -0400

I think the most important factor in a good question is "Timing". Without good timing a great question can be overlooked and relegated to mediocrity.

Conversely with good "Timing" a very controversial and insidious questions as in who should salute whom for instance, may gain great traction and become a very active, if useless forum.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Jul 22 at 2014 1:43 AM

Capt Jeff S. — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 01:43:28 -0400

Thought provoking. For most, it forces you out of your comfort zone and you have no choice but to engage. A good facilitator doesn't have to say much to a group to keep the conversation going. All they have to do is ask the right questions and those participating in the discussion will do all the talking.

If everyone thinks the same, the discussion will not be as lively and won't have the same draw; it will be pretty bland and uninteresting. The more strongly one feels about the subject the more chance of it being an emotionally charged discussion.

Political and Religious debates often turn into emotionally charged discussions and hopefully those engaging can at the very least agree to disagree and shake hands at the end.