writing

How to Ask an Open-Ended Question

There are two different ways of asking questions, 1) close-ended and 3) open-ended. Close-ended questions:

• Can be answered with either a single word or a short phrase, usually “yes” or “no” • Are easy to answer and provide no details or analysis • Do not encourage in-depth or long-range thinking

Open-Ended questions:

• An open question is likely to receive an in-depth, detailed answer • Ask the respondent to think and reflect on what they’ve read • Encourages critical thinking that leads the respondent to think beyond the reading

assignment • Open-ended questions usually begin with “how,” “why” and “what”

Examples: Close-Ended Open-Ended Do you get along well with your supervisor?

How do you view your relationship with your supervisor?

Who will you vote for in this election? What do you think about the two candidates in this election?

Did you like the journal article you read this week?

What did you think of the journal article we read for this week?

Does acid rain hurt the planet? How does acid rain hurt the planet? Do we need animal welfare laws? What kind of animal welfare laws should

cities adopt? Do you like the four seasons? Which of the four seasons do you like and

why?

General Open-Ended Question Examples:

• What was the most important war the United States fought and why do you see it as the most important war?

• Why do many scientists believe climate change is happening? • How does drought contribute to the destabilization of the natural environment? • Why is immigration reform needed? • What are the benefits of the private prison system? • How does the academic source address its topic? • What information does the website provide? • How does the eBook explain acid rain?