QUESTIONING - Types of Questions

QUESTIONING - Types of Questions

So far, we have looked at 2 types of questions: open and
closed. Other more advanced types of questions include
the following:
• Probing/clarifying Questions
• Reflective Questions
• Direct Questions
• Hypothetical Questions

Some of these are extensions of the open and closed type,
but are worth looking at in their own right. They are all of
value and come into their own in different situations and
circumstances.

Probing/Clarifying Questions
In reality, these are open or closed questions that serve to
build on the person’s previous answers, comments and
responses. They use information already established in
order that we can explore further. These questions also
demonstrate to the person that they are being actively
listened to.
Some examples of probing questions include:
Tell me more about that?
What happened next?
What did you do next?
How did that happen?
Can you tell me why?
How do you mean?
Can you give me an example?
Who else was involved?
And where were you at that stage?
Dissatisfied? In what way were you dissatisfied with
your performance?
However, probing needs to be tackled carefully in order that
the student does not feel interrogated. Imagine that you
were on the receiving end of all of the above questions,
asked in turn after you had given the questioner some
information. The likelihood of you beginning to feel defensive
to this aggressive sounding barrage is high.

Reflective Questions
Reflective questions or statements are really comments
made before another type of question, which serve to
soften the questioning as well as demonstrate to the
speaker that they are being well and truly listened to. They
typically constitute a short summary of what the other
person has said, and may also be considered as a type of
paraphrasing

Hypothetical Questions
Hypothetical questions can be an excellent way to
encourage your student to reflect on issues through
thinking through previously unconsidered options. They are
also often used in interview situations to test the creativity
and mental agility of prospective students or employees

Direct Questions
Direct questions can be either open or closed questions.
However, they tend to have the following characteristics:
1. When posing a direct question, you always use the
name of the other person
2. You pose the question as an instruction.

Direct questions are especially helpful when you need to
get the other person’s attention and acquire specific
information. A direct question tends to begin with phrases
such as:
Tell me Jane, .......
Explain to me John, .....
Describe to me Jill, .....
Use of the other person's name tends to grab their
attention, while phrasing the question like an instruction
(‘tell me’ etc) gives a specific command.