Is Your Question Too Simple – Yes or No?
Pt. 9 in the “Interview Insights” Article Series, by ACN Past President Elaine Shein
One of the simplest of questions we ask sources can either serve as a valuable tool or a source of frustration, depending on how we wield it during an interview.
Welcome to our love/hate relationship with the yes/no question.
There are times we set up questions that can be answered with just a yes or no. We make it easy for our sources because we are giving just two options. These questions start or include the words, “Do you … will you … would you … is it … are you … have you … can you … does this … did you …?” Add to the list any questions that begin with “If …” and then use any of those other two word combinations. (Ex. “If you go to the annual farm machinery show, will you be checking out autonomous equipment?”
Whether someone is savvy (think: politician, communications staff, spokesperson) or uncomfortable/uncertain (think: farmer who is a first time interviewee), the question may be a problem.
Their answers might be a blunt or uncomfortable “yes” or “no” – and you didn’t get the quote or information you hoped to get. It’s not their fault. Sometimes people will offer more information or explanation back, partly because they felt more was needed than just the yes or no reply. Politicians during media training are taught to listen carefully for those questions, answer yes or no — if either response is not controversial or gives away too much information — and then weave their answers to return to whatever message track they planned to originally do during the interview or press conference.
This is why more other questions may be better in the situation (such as using who/what/where/how/why in your sentence).
Sometimes though, that yes/no question is the perfect tool to use. Use it for clarification, or to nail down a specific opinion or fact.
“Does this horse belong to you?”
“Was that 3 inches of rain you said you received in an hour?”
“Will you support the new legislation on immigration reform?”
“Do you like that new tractor’s GPS system?”
“Did you steal the money from the co-op?”
In certain cases – such as the above theft or legislation questions – that yes/no answer can become an important part of your story: You can get denial or affirmation, or even commitment to action.
Otherwise, for most interviews, the yes/no questions should be avoided or limited. Open-ended questions will hopefully get you the better answers you desire.
This week’s challenge: Have a conversation with a friend, family member or co-worker. Give yourself a maximum of five questions in the conversation – and pay attention on how you’re asking the questions. How many of them were yes/no – were they the most appropriate for the situation? – and how did the person respond? Are you satisfied the yes/no question got the information you required?
Please join us on Agricultural Communicators Network’s Facebook page and share your feedback.
Shein is DTN Associate Managing Editor in Omaha, Nebraska. She has formerly worked for Capital Press in Oregon, The Western Producer and Regina Leader-Post in Saskatchewan, Canada, and Gemini News Service in London, England.
Elaine Shein can be reached at [email protected]