How Conversation Questions Can Keep People Talking

If you use conversation questions you can not only get people talking but you can also keep them talking, which is exactly what you want to do if you are interested in having a good conversation. However, there are right ways and wrong ways to use conversation questions.

For instance, do not use conversation questions that will result in a yes or no answer. Instead, word your conversation questions in a way that requires the other individual to elaborate and use sentences rather than monosyllabic answers.

By using conversation questions in this way you will be able to drive the conversation in the direction you want even if you are not conversing with a conversationalist. Some great conversation questions are simply how, what, why, where, when, who, questions formed correctly.

1. How

“How” is one of the great conversation questions to use during a conversation because it requires an explanation. People cannot simply respond yes or no, but rather have to explain the process of how something works, is prepared, or done.

So, if you are having a conversation and another person makes a comment that you would like to know more about simply ask how in order to gain an explanation and to keep the conversation going.

You can also ask simple questions such as “how was your day, your weekend, your date, or presentation?” There are many questions that start with how.

2. What

“What” is another great conversation questions to ask, but make sure you form the question in a way that requires more than a one or two word response. For example, instead of saying, “What kind of cake is that” you should ask “What recipe did you use to make that cake and what special ingredients did it require?”

See how asking a what question can either elicit a one word answer or it can be the great start to a wonderful conversation about many different subjects.

3. Why

Asking “why” is another one of the good conversation questions, but don’t settle for a response like “because.” Think about the question you want to ask before you ask it and structure your why question so as to promote the conversation.

When someone is speaking or makes a comment about a particular choice, action or the like don’t simply ask “why.” Instead ask why that specific choice or action was made and why was it made in that way. By asking why in this way you foster the conversation whereas asking solely “why” stunts the conversation.

There are so many conversation questions that can be formed with how, what, why, where, and when that you could talk for days even weeks without stopping. However, you must structure the questions properly in order to get the most out of the conversation and to keep the other person talking.

So, before you find yourself in social situations practice conversation questions aloud or silently and then you can implement them in every day life.