Gathering
Information from Characters: Types of Questions
Regardless of the occupation or personality of your
characters, it is an advantage if they know how to construct questions to
elicit the information they require. This doesn't just pertain to detectives or
journalists (although I would argue many journalists could use a course in
questioning techniques). It can be used by everyone and anyone to gain some
information.
Let's
look at types of questions:
Closed
question. A closed question generally means an obstructive person
or shy person will only provide a yes or no answer if given the choice. It is
what it is - closed. It may be used effectively when leading someone to a point
before requiring detail or when confirming detail. For example: Did you kill
the maid? The answer can only be yes or no. There is no room for expansion
because you haven't asked for expansion.
Open
question. The best type of question to ask in order to get the
other person talking and ideal as a first question to get the other person to
explain their story. For example: Descibe in detail how you killed the maid.
You see how there is no room for a simple yes or no answer.
Leading
questions. Most favoured by journalists. Personally, not my
favourite because they lead a subject onto a topic that you want to hear about.
Unlike probing (which I'll get to), these do not allow for a conversation to
naturally, or skillfully, flow by letting the subject tell their story. For
example: You said an email to the maid that you desired her; and it is apparent
that this may be questionable intentions in the context of her murder - who do
you think killed her?
Probing
questions. As opposed to leading questions, there are no
accusatory conotations regarding an incident. It's not going as far as a
leading question. You get the subject on track and then follow up with an open
question. For example: You said in an email to the maid that you desired her -
what bearing do you think this has on the case?
Mirror
questions. Simply put - you repeat the previous answer given and
then ask another. This should not be overused because it is an obvious attempt
at buying time to ask the next question. For example: Subject: I have no
recollection of that night. Interviewer: So, you have no recollection of that
night, why?
Multiple
choice. Another one for the journalists amongst us. No need to
explain in detail here. The main problem is that you must know what choices are
available. By that I mean if the reason for something happening is outside of
the choices you are given, then you are showing your hand that you don't know.
For example: Do you prefer killing with a knife or a gun?
This information may help when considering how your
characters will ask questions. Although the examples I provided are basic, I
hope they put the type of questions in context.
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