So I was at a library talk in Denver and someone asked a question that totally flipped my process

The speaker was talking about how to phrase questions to get better answers, and a guy asked 'What's the worst way you've ever seen someone ask for help?' The speaker described vague, one-word questions that get ignored, which made me realize my own forum posts were doing exactly that. Now I always add context like 'I'm trying to X, but Y happens when I Z' and the responses are way better. Anyone else have a trick for asking clearer questions?

3 comments

3 Comments

michaelcoleman1mo ago

Denver libraries have talks on asking questions?

tessawebb6d ago

People really need a workshop on how to ask a question now? That seems like a lot of fuss over something pretty basic. Doesn't everyone just figure it out as they go?

rayc831mo ago

Oh come on, that's just making things too complicated! Sometimes you just need a quick answer and spelling out your whole life story is a waste of time. Why should I have to write a novel when a simple "how do I fix this?" should be enough if someone knows the topic? It feels like people are just getting lazy about helping others.