Asking the Right Questions
Effective questioning is a key to effective facilitation
Knowing how and when to ask great probing questions is a key facilitation skill. Questions invite participation and get people thinking about issues from a different perspective. Questions are essential to stimulating a good conversation and for getting feedback from participants.
There are two basic types of questions: open-ended and closed-ended.
| Type of Question | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
Closed |
Requires a one-word answer Closes off discussion Usually begins with "is," "can," "how many," or "does" |
"Does everyone understand all of the agreements we have just listed?" "Are we ready to move on?" |
Open |
Requires more than a "yes" or "no" or other one-word answer Stimulates thinking Usually begins with "what," "how," "when," or "why" |
"Which agreements may pose the greatest challenge, and why? "What remaining questions do you have?" |
For a tip-sheet on asking the right question, click here.
Go on to Closing the Learning Session
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