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How can you create effective open-ended questions?
I have a case of not being able to properly convey things through text. How do i fix this?
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Quyen’s Answer
I struggle with this too, mainly from a concern that I am not conveying my meaning or intentions clearly through text. How I approach this, especially if you have time to work on your answer, is through a few steps:
1. Just write what comes to your head. This does not have to be well formed or answer the question directly. The intent of this step is to simply get started.
2. Step away. This can be a few minutes to overnight. The intent is to give you some breathing room to think about the words a bit more. I find that this is when I play with the wording in my head and find the right phrasing I want.
3. Come back and re-read what you wrote. You may find that the text isn't as bad as you thought.
4. Edit.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 as necessary.
Important note, remember that most of the time things do not have to be perfect before you answer. Most of the time it is more important to answer the question in a timely manner than to send the perfect answer too late. Give yourself some grace, it is OK to answer the question the best you can at the moment even if you come up with a better answer later.
1. Just write what comes to your head. This does not have to be well formed or answer the question directly. The intent of this step is to simply get started.
2. Step away. This can be a few minutes to overnight. The intent is to give you some breathing room to think about the words a bit more. I find that this is when I play with the wording in my head and find the right phrasing I want.
3. Come back and re-read what you wrote. You may find that the text isn't as bad as you thought.
4. Edit.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 as necessary.
Important note, remember that most of the time things do not have to be perfect before you answer. Most of the time it is more important to answer the question in a timely manner than to send the perfect answer too late. Give yourself some grace, it is OK to answer the question the best you can at the moment even if you come up with a better answer later.
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Open-ended questions demand that your respondents give you answers in their own words and are intended to evoke a conversation otherwise then the YES or No answer you would get in a close-ended questions or a multiple choice question. Open-ended questions give people the freedom to express their idea, thoughts encouraging critical thinking and creativity. There are many benefits to open-ended questions. For example, asking open-ended questions boosts:
• CRITICAL THINKING. Since there isn’t a right or wrong answer, your given the responders the opportunity to think through many different angles and possibilities, and solve problems themselves.
• CREATIVE THINKING. Your giving your responders the freedom to think beyond the obvious and tap into their imagination.
• COMMUNICATION. Since answers require more than a one-word response, your giving your responders the opportunity to practice and stretch their vocabulary and communication skills.
• CONFIDENCE. Open-ended questions empower your responders to express themselves, which builds self-confidence in sharing their thoughts and ideas with you and others.
There are numerous advantages to incorporating open-ended questions into your communication toolkit. These questions are not just conversation starters but catalysts for fostering deeper understanding, enhancing engagement, and driving positive outcomes. Open-ended questions are like keys that unlock hidden treasure troves of information. When you ask questions that invite detailed responses, you gain insights that might have remained undiscovered with closed questions. These insights provide a well-rounded understanding of perspectives, preferences, and the needs of others.
• CRITICAL THINKING. Since there isn’t a right or wrong answer, your given the responders the opportunity to think through many different angles and possibilities, and solve problems themselves.
• CREATIVE THINKING. Your giving your responders the freedom to think beyond the obvious and tap into their imagination.
• COMMUNICATION. Since answers require more than a one-word response, your giving your responders the opportunity to practice and stretch their vocabulary and communication skills.
• CONFIDENCE. Open-ended questions empower your responders to express themselves, which builds self-confidence in sharing their thoughts and ideas with you and others.
There are numerous advantages to incorporating open-ended questions into your communication toolkit. These questions are not just conversation starters but catalysts for fostering deeper understanding, enhancing engagement, and driving positive outcomes. Open-ended questions are like keys that unlock hidden treasure troves of information. When you ask questions that invite detailed responses, you gain insights that might have remained undiscovered with closed questions. These insights provide a well-rounded understanding of perspectives, preferences, and the needs of others.