What is an opening question?

Asked by: Prof. Alexandria Mitchell  |  Last update: December 30, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (45 votes)

Open questions enable participants to add their thoughts and opinions instead of choosing from a list of answers. It's important to note that closed questions are ideal for surveys, and they can make it easier to gather results and analyze data. But, they can't give you the in-depth answers you might require at times.

What is an example of an opening question?

Generally, questions that start with “what” are good, non-biased open-ended questions. For example “What did you think of today's workshop?” or “What would you like to learn more about?” allow the respondent to answer without being influenced by the person asking the question.

How do you write an opening question?

Open-ended questions:
  1. Kickstart with “How”, “Why”, and “What”
  2. No set answers, sparking more thought.
  3. Encourage detailed responses, explaining the 'why' or 'how'

What is an open question and examples?

Open-ended questions begin with “why,” “how,” or “what” and require the respondent to provide more than a single-word answer. Unlike close-ended questions that only need a simple “yes” or “no” to answer the question, open-ended questions prompt the respondent to detail their response in a free response format.

How do you describe an open question?

Open-ended questions are questions that cannot be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no', and instead require the respondent to elaborate on their points.

Chris Voss on Unlocking Open-Ended Question Superpowers

26 related questions found

How do you start an open question?

Open-ended questions often begin with the following words: “why,” “how,” “what,” “describe,” “tell me about...,” or “what do you think about...” Open ended questions are designed to make children think and use language more fully. Open-ended questions are a great way to develop children's speech and language skills.

Which of the following is an example of an open question?

Examples of open-ended questions include: Tell me about your relationship with your supervisor. How do you see your future? Tell me about the children in this photograph.

What words start an open question?

Open-ended questions begin with the following words: why, how, what, describe, tell me about..., or what do you think about... 3.

What is an example of an open question argument?

For example, "I know he is a vegan, but does he eat meat?" would be a closed question. However, "I know that it is pleasurable, but is it good?" is an open question; the answer cannot be derived from the meaning of the terms alone.

What is an example of a leading question?

There are four types of leading questions you should be aware of, from assumptive questions to statement-based, coercive, and consequential questions. Examples of leading questions are: 'How much do you enjoy using [product]? ' 'What did you like and dislike about [x]?

Why are open questions good?

Open questions can generate new thinking and allow someone to come to their own conclusions about something. Open questions give space for the person being asked to think.

What is the structure of open questions?

Open questions are questions which cannot be answered with just 'yes' or 'no'. Many of them begin with 'wh': why, where, who etc. Open questions can be compared to closed questions, which need only yes or no answers. 'Why did you decide to study English?'

How do you start an opening sentence?

6 Tips for Writing a Compelling First Sentence
  1. Provoke the reader's emotions. ...
  2. Ask a question. ...
  3. Tell the reader what they will learn or discover. ...
  4. Give character background information that interests the reader. ...
  5. Introduce the character to the reader in an exciting or surprising way.

What 5 words typically start an open-ended question?

Open-ended questions have several key characteristics: They're conversational in nature. They use the 5 Ws (who, what, when, where, and why).

What is an example of opening?

Examples from Collins dictionaries

He squeezed through a narrow opening in the fence. I glanced down at the beach as we passed an opening in the trees. Her capabilities were always there; all she needed was an opening to show them. We don't have any openings now, but we'll call you if something comes up.

What is a question opener?

An opener often takes the form of an open-ended question, which can lead to further comments or conversation as well as creating topics for future conversations (e.g. "How's your mandrill doing?").

What is an open question example?

For example, asking a friend if they're ok requires a simple yes or no answer. But if you wanted to know what was wrong with them, you'd change the wording to something like “so, tell me what's going on with you?” Open-ended questions require people to pause, think about their answer and provide detail.

How do you write an open question?

9 Best Practices for Writing Open-Ended Questions
  1. Bring respondents into the problem.
  2. Challenge respondents.
  3. Use word counters.
  4. Deal with spelling and literacy concerns.
  5. Tackle boredom thresholds.
  6. Ask a seed question.
  7. Set rules.
  8. Make it personal.

What is a good example of an argument?

Global warming is real [claim] because the most reputable science points in that direction [reason]. Everyone should stop wearing seat belts [claim] because it would save lives [reason].

What are some good open questions?

Include Open-Ended Questions in Play Time
  • “What do you want to explore first?”
  • “What is your plan?”
  • “What do you think we should try next ?”
  • “How do you think this thing works?”
  • “I wonder what will happen when you…”
  • “How do you feel about it?”
  • “What do you like about this?”
  • “Why do you think that happened?”

What are the 7 words of question?

We use the question words who (for people), what/which (for things), when (for time), where (for places), why (for reasons) and how (for more details). What do I need to know about question words?

What words are openers?

Used at the beginning of a sentence, these words signal to you that a sentence opener follows: After, Although, As, Because, Before, If, Since, Unless, Until, When, While. Place a comma here, not a period. Graders: The above section has 3 questions that must be completed.

What is not an example of an open question?

"Have you done this before?" This is a closed-ended question because it can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no". Open-ended questions, on the other hand, require more than a one-word answer and are designed to encourage a full, meaningful answer using the subject's own knowledge and/or feelings.

How to avoid yes or no questions?

  1. Avoid Yes/No Questions.
  2. Avoid ”Multiple-choice“ and Double-barreled Questions.
  3. Don't Switch Topics Too Frequently.
  4. Avoid the 'Why' Question.
  5. Avoid Asking for Little Known Facts.
  6. Avoid Imposing Concepts.
  7. Avoid Leading Questions.
  8. Listen Attentively.

What to ask a girl in text?

Romantic questions to ask a girl
  • When did you know there was something more between us?
  • What do you think makes us click so well?
  • Can you tell that you make me happy?
  • Do you think of me as a friend, or something more?
  • What's your favorite memory of us?
  • What should I cook us for dinner?