SoundCloud Notes 2.0– 6 Different Question Types

1. Close-ended: Very short answers. Yes or No?
2. Open-ended: Allow the person to choose what information to give. What did you learn about… ? Open-ended questions help carry through the interview. Most often used.
3. Hypothetical question: Set a situation that could occur and ask the person to respond to it. What might happen? Not typically used. Limit their use. Instead focus on what has happened or will happen. Good for situations such as in the realm of politics. “What would you do if elected?” Also for sports. “Coach, how are you going to be working with your team in batting practice this week?”
4. Agree or Disagree: Also not typically used; bringing up a quote — “do you agree or disagree? …could you get behind this?” Oprah example.
5. Probing question: Spur of the moment. A follow-up from other questions. Delves deeper into the first answer to the first question. Have to be on your feet.
6. Personal question: Touches on the personal life of the subject that you are viewing. Can bring up bad memories or bring up something that is horrific. Very private. Usually involves something tragic. Must be very careful with them. First build a trust relationship with the person that you are interviewing. Put these questions toward the middle or end of the interview.