How to ask a question!
Most people haven't thought about this, because we've asked questions all our lives. It's how we learn. But the fact is that we aren't very good at it, and because we're not very good at it, we don't usually get the answers we're really looking for. So now here we are in the age of blogging and social networking, and in these environments we ask questions the same way we ask our best friend when we're sitting at the bar.Not me, man. If I'm going to go to the effort of typing up a question, I'm going to make sure I ask one that will get me some good answers and not make me look like a bloomin' idiot. This was a skill people had to master in the days when Usenet filled the role that social networking plays now, and I (at least) have not forgotten it. So here's how to ask a question properly:
- Don't leave hints as to what you believe is the "correct" answer. Be neutral, or someone who might've helped you will leave off.
- Don't leave terms undefined. This of course includes jargon and acronyms, but also includes any term with multiple meanings. Be explicit.
- Ask one question at a time. Don't throw in extras with "oh by the way" or "let me also ask." Don't confuse the issue.
- Don't use the question as an ad for your services. You ANSWER questions for THAT.
- Do thank people who take the trouble to answer you. And be polite about it. Some people will give answers that have already been said by someone else; some will give trivial answers or will say something that reflects no knowledge at all. If you act like you're put out by that, others will see you as using people instead of valuing their opinions.
- Do summarize what you hear for the benefit of all. That's what Rhetoric for Engineers is all about: a collection of summaries. This satisfies the dozens of people out there who have the same questions you do, but for whatever reason have not asked them. It's OK for them to depend on you.
Labels: internet, recommendations
posted by Ron @ 10:52 PM
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