Checklist: Lesson 4 - The Art of Questioning

Question Types and Their Uses

Closed Questions: Use for getting specific information or confirmation

Open Questions: Employ for exploring ideas and gathering detailed information

Probing Questions: Apply to dig deeper into responses and uncover assumptions

Hypothetical Questions: Utilize to explore possibilities and alternatives

Reflective Questions: Use to examine your own thinking and biases

Clarifying Questions: Ask “What exactly do you mean by…?”

Questions about Assumptions: Inquire “What are you assuming when you say…?”

Questions about Evidence: Ask “What evidence supports that view?”

Questions about Implications: Question “If that’s true, what would follow from it?”

Questions about Alternative Viewpoints: Ask “How might someone else see this issue?”

Questions about the Question: Inquire “Why is this question important?”

When Evaluating Claims: Ask about evidence, reliability, falsifiability

When Making Decisions: Question the problem definition, options, consequences

When in Disagreement: Ask about areas of agreement, convincing evidence, underlying concerns

When Solving Problems: Question constraints, ideal solutions, barriers

When Reflecting on Your Thinking: Ask about assumptions, potential errors, emotional influences

Ask one question at a time rather than multiple questions

Allow silence after asking questions to give time for thought

Listen actively to answers rather than planning your next question

Be open to unexpected answers that challenge your assumptions

Use a curious, non-accusatory tone when asking challenging questions

Follow up on responses with deeper questions

Regularly ask yourself reflective questions about your beliefs

Question your emotional reactions to information

Challenge your assumptions about your own limitations

Examine whether your actions align with your stated values

Identify areas where you avoid asking certain questions