Question Interrupt

Techniques > Conversation techniques > Steering the conversation > Question Interrupt

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Ask them a question, preferably a closed question.

If they do not answer it or their answer is long, then interrupt, ask them another one or tell them that they have not answered the first question (which you may re-phrase).

When they reply, you can either ask another question or give your views on what they said or just sail off with your own comments on something else.

Example

Did Jennifer tell you to say that?

When did you last see her?

Sorry, you haven't yet told me when you saw Jennifer last -- was it yesterday?

Discussion

When someone else asks us a question, we almost always feel bound to give them an answer -- to ignore the question would be rude.

Closed questions lead to short answers, which forces them to answer quickly, after which you can take over.

By using the Socratic questioning method, you can steer the to what you want them to think just by asking questions.