Tips for Asking Questions

A good question can make the difference in whether a candidate takes a strong position on an issue or whether he or she avoids the subject. Obviously, the better the questions are, the better the answer will be. Having prepared, strong and solid questions before a campaign event will help make sure the candidates talk about peace and security in specific terms. While everyone else is thinking of what they want to ask, Voters for Peace and Security will be ready to go.

Here are some quick tips on coming up with effective questions:

1. Make a list of questions and prioritize them.
2. Be polite.  Always start by thanking the candidate for his or her time.  Even if you're planning to question the representative about a position they hold that you don't like, be respectful and willing to listen.  You will be much more likely to get your point across and win support from the audience.
3. Keep the questions short but informative.  Remember that your audience is both the candidate and the other members of the voting and media community.  Include one fact in your question that will stick in the minds of those listening.
4. Be specific.  Don’t say: “What are your thoughts on x?”  Do say: “Do you support/oppose x?”
5. If you are asking a question with a number of other peopls, always have 2-3 questions in mind in case someone asks yours first.
6. Be prepared to follow up your question. You may be able to anticipate an answer, in which case a follow up question should be easy.
7. If you are attending an event in person, try to attend the event with a friend. A friend will be able to take notes on, videotape, or record the candidate’s answer to your question.
8. Share your question and answer with the media, blog about it, send emails about it, write a letter to the editor about your experience. The more a candidates statements are publicized, the more feedback they will get from voters about their views.
9. If you are meeting the candidate in person and there is an open question and answer period, your pre-planning will pay off. Most people don’t raise their hands immediately. But as a well-prepared peace-minded voter you can express immediate interest in asking a question--so get your hand up early and often, and sit up front.
10. At some events, only members of the media are allowed to ask questions. In this case, see if you can get a journalist to ask some of the questions you’ve prepared.
11. In preparing your questions keep in mind the context in which it will be posed. In other words, narrow it down to several issues (depending on if you are by yourself or in a group), and prioritize. If you decide that asking about the war in Iraq is of highest priority, think of what specifically it is that concerns you the most. Let’s say that you’re concern is that the war in Iraq has broken down our world image and our relationship with our friends and allies; then a good context will set up the question with that phrase, and ask specifically what the candidate will do to restore the US image around the world.

See some sample questions >>