Q is for Questions and Queries: Building Skills How-Tos

Question? Statement. and Exclamation!  These are the three main types of expression we use when communicating.  Today's focus is on questions and queries.  What's the difference? Good question lol! A query is a type of question where you are expressing doubt about the validity or accuracy of something. It is typically directed to a person/organization with the authority to resolve that doubt. A question is much more informal and generalized. So now you know!

My first priority is this:  Be curious enough to ask questions!  Small children are notorious for their constant barrage of questions but they are also the ones rapidly gaining knowledge.  If we continued to learn at their pace throughout life, we would be so intelligent.  It is only wise to do as they do if you want to gain the results they are getting with all their questions.

It helps to remember there are six main questions.  These should be answered whenever we write a story or analyze a text.  They are the WH questions...Who? What? Where? Why? When and the bonus How?  If you can answer these, you should have a pretty solid level of expression or comprehension.

There are general questions intended for small talk.  For a person struggling with social skills, it may be necessary to teach them specific questions to use and to practice answers with them as well.  It helps to overcome the initial barriers when meeting new people.  Questions are typically about the news, sports, weather, movies or about something relevant to the situation, like the food items on the menu, current fashions at the mall or the presence of ducks in the park. They are not deeply personal and can end quickly or lead to further conversation depending on the communication partner.

Some types of questions are intended to find out specific information.  Asking for directions, taking a history quiz, filling in a medical form are examples of these.  Other questions are more probative such as asking for your deepest, darkest secrets, your values, your spiritual beliefs and so forth. 

There is a time and place and a level of relationship typical for different levels of questions but no rules per se.  It is unusual to ask a woman her age, to ask your doctor about his religious beliefs or to ask a child for their thoughts on politics.  Some things are generally considered 'taboo' or off-limits but that varies with culture, time, place, people.  Overall though, asking questions is better than making wrong assumptions and asking questions is the best way to grow in knowledge so it is overall wise to do.

Queries take more courage.  They expect a higher level of response and often have moral and/or legal ramifications. Therefore they should be strongly considered before addressing the topic.  You should have evidence and facts that need clarification on specific points only. However, there is a place for queries too.  They are part of a quest for knowledge and truth.

At all levels from birth to old age, questions are a part of life and should be embraced.  Improving skills in asking and in answering questions is beneficial, especially for students. Helping them understand what is being asked and how to find the correct reply is a skill we can encourage for them and for ourselves also.  There is always room for improvement.

Enjoy the process as you explore this skill in more depth with the child(ren) in your life!