It’s widely acknowledged that communication is a two-way process; it requires an exchange of information. By contrast, telling, broadcasting, even blogging, are essentially one-way processes.
So where does asking a question fit in? Good question! Hold on…what do we mean by ‘good question’? Is it one that has challenging content or one that is well-posed? It can be both, of course, but this article is about the latter, and the art of asking a question well is one that falls squarely into the communication category: you need to give information to get information.
As we’ve had so much practice at interpreting and answering questions (nearly 22 million so far!), we can understand all questions no matter how they are worded, but there are times – just as in day-to-day communication between people – when we have to make assumptions about what we think you mean. It helps, then, if the question is made clearer: the content of the answer will be more precise and you’ll get it faster.
There’s no specifically right or wrong way to ask questions of 63336; it’s rather a case of being effective rather than ineffective. Our most well-crafted, useful, best-value-for-money answers are ones given in response to efficiently-worded questions. Imprecise, ill-defined questions can lead to disappointment, frustration and, regrettably, extra money if you need to clarify matters by sending an additional text.
Without the luxury of an instant, two-way, effortless and, more importantly, cost-free method of clarifying what’s beneath your information requirement (er…your question), here are some tips for getting the best bang for your buck:
1. Avoid ambiguity. Express precisely what it is you need to know. Effective questions begin with What, How, Why, Who, When, Where, Which. They help define exactly what it is you want to know. For example, rather than asking, “Can you fly from London to Marseilles?”, try “Which airlines fly from London to Marseilles?”
2. Focus the scope of your question. A focused question will lead to a focused answer, so provide relevant information in order to avoid wasteful provisos like “It depends on the type/size/model etc.” Rather than ask “How do you clean wooden floors?”, tell us about the wooden floor you’re interested in e.g. “How do you clean laminate wood floors?” The first question will result in an extremely brief description of how to clean a) laminate, b) unvarnished hardwood, and c) varnished hardwood floors; most of the answer won’t apply to your depressingly dirty laminate floor. Yes, there’s a little extra texting involved, but you’ll get very specific, useful information in return for that investment.
3. Present empirical data. You are seeking information that will fill a gap in your knowledge, so don’t second-guess. If you have an embarrassing itch which has nothing to do with the new detergent you’ve been using, don’t ask, “What are the signs of herpes?” Instead of getting what you wanted (the low-down on genital herpes), you may get an unwanted mini-treatise on cold-sores. Why assume herpes, though? Rather, spell out the observed symptoms and ask what the cause could be. Don’t forget, it’s as if it’s only you and the researcher in the room, and he or she is behind a screen, so don’t be shy.
4. Be aware of the 63336 editorial policy. We can’t give professional (as in subject to licence) medical, legal or financial advice. We can provide you with pertinent information, but have to stop short of prescribing drugs and telling you what stocks and shares to buy. You’ll need to phrase the question accordingly: “Which shares have performed the best in the last quarter?” rather than, “What shares should I buy?”
5. Give time and distance parameters. When you ask, “Where can I get the cheapest away strip for Chelsea?”, let us know if you’re prepared to shop online or if you need to march down the High Street RIGHT NOW because the game’s TONIGHT! Our assumption is the latter, but best deals may be achieved by shopping online and waiting a few extra days for delivery.
6. Try 2 spel korecly. We’re pretty good at interpreting misspellings and txtspk, but it presents an unnecessary risk. It creates doubt in the researcher’s mind if the question’s wording isn’t correct, and he or she doesn’t want to waste your time and money by making the wrong assumptions.
Will doing all this result in a perfect question? Yes. Will doing all this result in a perfect answer? Very probably, Yes. Why not just Yes? The answer is that there seems to be no way to prevent the – albeit rare – occasions when a momentary lapse in concentration results in an absolute howler. A recent question was, “What are all the prime numbers between 40 and 50?” (Verdict: well-posed, no ambiguity.) Our answer was, “Prime ministers between 1940 and 1950 were Neville Chamberlain (1937-1940), Winston Churchill (1940-1945 and 1951-1955), and Clement Attlee (1945-1951).” (Verdict: red faces all round.) We are human and we do, very occasionally, get it wrong. But if ever you don’t like your answer simply contact us and we’ll sort it out for you.
Like any SMS text, answers from 63336 are generally restricted to 160 characters. This may seem impossibly short but, if your question is well-constructed, and well-defined, this tiny space can still permit a surprisingly in-depth answer. Give it a try.
