open ended essay questions

75 Open-Ended Questions Examples

open-ended questions examples definition and benefits, explained below

Open-ended questions are inquiries that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” and require elaboration.

These questions encourage respondents to provide more detailed answers, express opinions, and share experiences.

They can be useful in multiple contexts:

In conversation , it elicits more information about someone and can help break the ice or deepen your relationship with them.
In education , open-ended questions are used as prompts to encourage people to express themselves, demonstrate their knowledge, or think more deeply about other people.
In research , they are used to gather detailed responses from research participants who, if not asked open-ended questions, may not give valuable detailed or in-depth responses.

An example of an open-ended question is:

“What did you enjoy most about your recent vacation?”

Open-Ended Questions Examples

Examples of open-ended questions for students.

What did you find most interesting or surprising about today’s lesson?
How would you explain this concept to someone who has never encountered it before?
Can you think of a real-life example of what we are talking about today?
When doing the task, what did you find most challenging and why?
How does this topic connect to the topic we were discussing in last week’s lesson?
When you walk out of this lesson today, what is the most important insight you’ll take with you?
When you were solving this problem, what strategies did you draw upon? Can you show them to me?
If you could change one thing about how you did today’s task, what would it be and why?
How do you feel about the progress you have made in the unit so far, and what areas do you think you need to work on?
What questions do you still have about this topic that we can address in our next lesson?
How do you think this subject will be relevant to your life outside of the classroom, such as on the weekends or even in the workplace once you leave school?
We tried just one way to solve this problem. Can you think of any alternative approaches we could have taken to reach the same results?
What resources or strategies do you think were most useful when solving this problem?
What were the challenges you faced when completing this group work task and how would you work to resolve them next time?
What are some of the possible weaknesses of the theory we’ve been exploring today?
How has your understanding of this topic evolved throughout the course of this unit?
What are some real-world applications of what we’ve learned today?
If you were to design an experiment to test this hypothesis, what would be your approach?
Can you think of any counterarguments or alternative perspectives on this issue?
How would you rate your level of engagement with this topic, and what factors have influenced your level of interest?

Examples of Open-Ended Questions for Getting to Know People

So, can you tell me about the first time you met our mutual friend who introduced us?
How did you get interested in your favorite hobby?
How have your tastes in music changed over time?
Can you explain a memorable memory from your childhood?
Are there any books, movies, or TV shows that you’ve enjoyed recently that you could recommend? Why would you recommend them to me?
How do you usually spend your weekends or leisure time?
Can you tell me about a restaurant experience you had that you really enjoyed and why it was so memorable?
What’s your fondest memory of your childhood pet?
What first got you interested in your chosen career?
If you could learn a new skill or take up a new hobby, what would it be and why?
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received from a parent or mentor?
If you were to pass on one piece of advice to your younger self, what would lit be?
Tell me about something fun you did in the area recently that you could recommend that I do this weekend on a budget of $100?
If you could have a think for a second, would you be able to tell me your short-term, medium-term, and long-term personal goals ?
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Examples of Open-Ended Questions for Interviews

Can you tell me about yourself and your background, and how you came to be in your current position/field?
How do you approach problem-solving, and what methods have you found to be most effective?
Can you describe a particularly challenging situation you faced, and how you were able to navigate it?
What do you consider to be your greatest strengths, and how have these played a role in your career or personal life?
Can you describe a moment of personal growth or transformation, and what led to this change?
What are some of your passions and interests outside of work, and how do these inform or influence your professional life?
Can you tell me about a time when you faced criticism or negative feedback, and how you were able to respond to it?
What do you think are some of the most important qualities for success in your field, and how have you worked to develop these qualities in yourself?
Can you describe a moment of failure or setback, and what you learned from this experience?
Looking to the future, what are some of your goals or aspirations, and how do you plan to work towards achieving them?

Examples of Open-Ended Questions for Customer Research

What factors influenced your decision to purchase this product or service?
How would you describe your overall experience with our customer support team?
What improvements or changes would you suggest to enhance the user experience of our website or app?
Can you provide an example of a time when our product or service exceeded your expectations?
What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while using our product or service, and how did you overcome them?
How has using our product or service impacted your daily life or work?
What features do you find most valuable in our product or service, and why?
Can you describe your decision-making process when choosing between competing products or services in the market?
What additional products or services would you be interested in seeing from our company?
How do you perceive our brand in comparison to our competitors, and what factors contribute to this perception?
What sources of information or communication channels did you rely on when researching our product or service?
How likely are you to recommend our product or service to others, and why?
Can you describe any barriers or concerns that might prevent potential customers from using our product or service?
What aspects of our marketing or advertising caught your attention or influenced your decision to engage with our company?
How do you envision our product or service evolving or expanding in the future to better meet your needs?

Examples of Open-Ended Questions for Preschoolers

Can you tell me about the picture you drew today?
What is your favorite thing to do at school, and why do you like it?
How do you feel when you play with your friends at school?
What do you think would happen if animals could talk like people?
Can you describe the story we read today? What was your favorite part?
If you could be any animal, which one would you choose to be and why?
What would you like to learn more about, and why does it interest you?
How do you help your friends when they’re feeling sad or upset?
Can you tell me about a time when you solved a problem all by yourself?
What is your favorite game to play, and how do you play it?
If you could create your own superhero, what powers would they have and why?
Can you describe a time when you were really brave? What happened?
What do you think it would be like to live on another planet?
If you could invent a new toy, what would it look like and what would it do?
Can you tell me about a dream you had recently? What happened in the dream?

Open-Ended vs Closed-Ended Questions

Benefits of open-ended questions.

Above all, open-ended questions require people to actively think. This engages them in higher-order thinking skills (rather than simply providing restricted answers) and forces them to expound on their thoughts.

The best thing about these questions is that they benefit both the questioner and the answerer:

Questioner: For the person asking the question, they benefit from hearing a full insight that can deepen their knowledge about their interlocutor.
Answerer: For the person answering the question, they benefit because the very process of answering the question helps them to sort their thoughts and clarify their insights.

To expound, below are four of the top benefits.

1. Encouraging critical thinking

When we have to give full answers, our minds have to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information. We can’t get away with a simple yes or no.

This is why educators embrace open-ended questioning, and preferably questions that promote higher-order thinking .

Expounding on our thoughts enables us to do things like:

Thinking more deeply about a subject
Considering different perspectives
Identifying logical fallacies in our own conceptions
Developing coherent and reasoned responses
Reflecting on our previous actions
Clarifying our thoughts.

2. Facilitating self-expression

Open-ended questions allow us to express ourselves. Imagine only living life being able to say “yes” or “no” to questions. We’d struggle to get across our own personalities!

Only with fully-expressed sentences and monologues can we share our full thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It allows us to elaborate on nuances, express our hesitations, and explain caveats.

At the end of explaining our thoughts, we often feel like we’ve been more heard and we have had the chance to express our full authentic thoughts.

3. Building stronger relationships

Open-ended questioning creates good relationships. You need to ask open-ended questions if you want to have good conversations, get to know someone, and make friends.

These sorts of questions promote open communication, speed up the getting-to-know-you phase, and allow people to share more about themselves with each other.

This will make you more comfortable with each other and give the person you’re trying to get to know a sense that you’re interested in them and actively listen to what they have to say. When people feel heard and understood, they are more likely to trust and connect with others.

Tip: Avoid Loaded Questions

One mistake people make during unstructured and semi-structured interviews is to ask open-ended questions that have bias embedded in them.

For an example of a loaded question, imagine if you asked a question: “why did the shop lifter claim he didn’t take the television without paying?”

Here, you’ve made a premise that you’re asking the person to consent to (that the man was a shop lifter).

A more neutral wording might be “why did the man claim he didn’t take the television without paying?”

The second question doesn’t require the person to consent to the notion that the man actually did the shop lifting.

This might be very important, for example, in cross-examining witnesses in a police station!

When asking questions, use questions that encourage people to provide full-sentence responses, at a minimum. Use questions like “how” and “why” rather than questions that can be answered with a brief point. This will allow people the opportunity to provide more detailed responses that give them a chance to demonstrate their full understanding and nuanced thoughts about the topic. This helps students think more deeply and people in everyday conversation to feel like you’re actually interested in what they have to say.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Social-Emotional Learning (Definition, Examples, Pros & Cons)
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ What is Educational Psychology?
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ What is IQ? (Intelligence Quotient)
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University

Open-Ended Questions: 28 Examples of How to Ask Properly

The power of open-ended questions lies in the insights they unlock.

Mastering open-ended questions is key, as they unlock more than just brief replies. They invite deeper thoughts, opening doors to honest conversations. The skill of openness and support is crucial for team leaders who want to cultivate a similar culture among their employees and customers. Unlike yes-or-no questions, open-ended ones pave the way for people to express themselves fully.

They are not just about getting answers, but about understanding perspectives, making them a valuable tool in the workplace, schools, and beyond. Through these questions, we dig deeper, encouraging a culture where thoughts are shared openly and ideas flourish.

What is an open-ended question?

Open-ended questions kick off with words like “Why?”, “How?”, and “What?”. Unlike the yes-or-no kind, they invite a fuller response. It’s not about getting quick answers, but about making the respondent think more deeply about their answers.

These questions ask people to pause, reflect, and delve into their thoughts before responding. It’s more than just getting an answer—it’s about understanding deeper feelings or ideas. In a way, open-ended questions are bridges to meaningful conversations, leading to a richer exchange of ideas and insights.

Comparison: Open-ended vs closed-ended questions

Open-ended and closed-ended questions serve as the two sides of the inquiry coin, each with its unique advantages.

Open-ended questions:

Kickstart with “How”, “Why”, and “What”
No set answers, sparking more thought
Encourage detailed responses, explaining the ‘why’ or ‘how’

Closed-ended questions:

Often have a “Yes” or “No” response
Feature predetermined answers (e.g., Options A, B, C)
Aim for specific, clear-cut responses, making them quick to answer

Together, they balance a conversation. Open-ended questions open up discussions, while close-ended questions keep them on track.

Benefits of asking open-ended questions

Deeper understanding : They dig deeper, unveiling more than just surface-level information.
Enhanced communication : Open-ended questions foster a two-way dialogue, making conversations more engaging.
Building trust: When people feel heard, it builds trust and a strong rapport.
Encourages critical thinking: These questions nudge towards reflection, enhancing critical thinking skills.
Uncovering insights : They can bring out hidden insights that might stay buried otherwise.
Problem-solving: By identifying core issues, they pave the way for effective problem-solving.
Personal growth : Promoting self-reflection, open-ended questions contribute to personal growth and awareness.

As you can see, open-ended questions pave the way for in-depth responses. Unlike a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’, they encourage individuals to share more. This leads to richer engagements, giving a peek into others’ perspectives. It’s more than just collecting data; it’s about understanding the context behind it. Through open-ended questions, discussions become more engaging and informative. It’s a step towards fostering a culture of open communication and meaningful interactions.

28 examples of open-ended questions

Questions for team meetings:

What steps could enhance our meeting’s effectiveness?
How does our meeting structure support or hinder our goals?
What topics should be prioritized in our next meeting?
How can we make our meetings more engaging and productive?
What was the most impactful part of today’s meeting?
If you could change one thing about our meetings, what would it be?
How do our meetings compare to those in other departments?

For company surveys:

What aspects of our culture contribute to your job satisfaction?
How could we modify our workspace to boost productivity?
What are your thoughts on our current communication channels?
How would a flexible work schedule impact your work-life balance?
What training or resources would further your career development here?
How do our company values align with your personal values?
What suggestions do you have for improving team collaboration?

Ideas for brainstorming sessions:

What alternative solutions could address this challenge?
How might we streamline our brainstorming process?
What barriers are hindering creative thinking in our sessions?
How do you feel about the diversity of ideas presented?
What methods could we employ to encourage more innovative thinking?
How can we better document and follow up on ideas generated?
What factors should be considered when evaluating potential solutions?

For classroom discussions:

What teaching methods engage you the most?
If you could redesign our classroom, what changes would you make?
How does peer interaction enhance your learning experience?
What topics or subjects would you like to explore in more depth?
How could technology be integrated to enhance learning?
What challenges do you face in achieving your academic goals?
How could the school support you better in overcoming academic hurdles?

How to craft effective open-ended questions

Crafting effective open-ended questions is an art. It begins with choosing the right starters like “How”, “What”, and “Why”.

Example: How did you come up with this idea?
Example: What were the main challenges faced?
Example: Why do you think this approach works best?

Using these starters makes it easier to receive thoughtful answers that lead to deeper thinking and understanding.

Beyond starters, here are more tips:

Be clear: Ensure clarity to avoid confusion.
Avoid leading: Don’t direct towards a specific answer.
Keep it simple: Steer clear of complex language.
Encourage thought: Frame questions to prompt reflection.
Be open: Prepare for unexpected answers.
Practice active listening: Show genuine interest.
Follow-Up: Delve deeper with additional questions.

Characteristics of good open-ended questions:

Interest: Be genuinely interested in the responses.
Clarity: Keep your question clear and straightforward.
Neutral tone: Avoid leading or biased words.
Emotive verbs: Use verbs that evoke thoughts or emotions, like ‘think’, ‘feel’, or ‘believe’.
Non-accusatory: Frame your question to avoid sounding accusatory, which can hinder honest responses.

For instance, instead of asking “Why did you choose this method?”, try “What led you to choose this method?”. It feels less accusatory and more open to insightful responses.

When to Use Open-Ended Questions

Open-ended questions are invaluable tools for diving into meaningful conversations, whether in live discussions or self-paced surveys. Acting like keys, they unlock the reasoning behind people’s thoughts and feelings. For example, incorporating open-ended questions into your Net Promoter Score (NPS) surveys can offer insights into why customers assigned a specific score.

These questions are particularly effective for sparking deeper thinking and discussions. Imagine you’re in a team meeting and you ask, “What can we do to better deliver our projects?” The room is likely to fill with useful suggestions. Similarly, in customer service emails , posing a question like “How can we improve your experience?” can provide insights that go beyond the scope of pre-crafted templates.

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In educational settings, questions like “How can we make learning this easier for you?” can encourage thoughtful answers. This not only enhances the learning environment but also fosters a culture of open communication. By asking such questions, you’re doing more than just seeking answers; you’re inviting deeper thought and engagement.

The real magic of open-ended questions lies in their ability to transform basic interactions into opportunities for greater understanding and learning. Whether you’re conducting a survey, such as an Employee Net Promoter Score , or simply having a team discussion, these questions add context and depth. They turn simple exchanges into meaningful conversations, helping you reach the ultimate goal—whether you’re talking to team members or customers.

Bonus: 8 of our favorite open-ended questions for customer feedback

Embarking on the open-ended questions journey? While Nicereply specializes in collecting easy-to-digest feedback through stars, smiley faces, or thumbs up/down, we see the value in the detailed insights open-ended questions can provide. Here’s a list of our favorite open-ended questions to enhance your customer satisfaction insights:

How could we improve your experience with our customer service?
What did you appreciate most about your interaction with our team?
Were there any aspects of our service that fell short of your expectations?
What additional services or features would you like us to offer?
How would you describe your overall satisfaction with our service?
What suggestions do you have for our support team to serve you better?
What were the key factors that influenced your satisfaction with our service?
How does our customer service compare to others you have experienced?

Though Nicereply’s focus is on clear-cut feedback, engaging with open-ended questions on a separate note can offer a richer understanding of your customer’s experience.

1: How could we improve your experience with our customer service?

Asking for feedback shows you’re keen on making your service better. It helps understand what customers think, find out what’s missing, and aim for the best. This question really shows that a company cares about improving.

2: What did you appreciate most about your interaction with our team?

Finding out what customers like helps grow those good parts. It’s a way to cheer on what’s going well and make sure these good habits keep going strong.

3: Were there any aspects of our service that fell short of your expectations?

Knowing what let customers down is the first step to fixing it. This question can bring out hidden issues, making it easier to sort them out. It also shows customers that their happiness is important and their worries are heard, which can really boost the bond between the customer and the company, a crucial factor in building customer loyalty .

4: What additional services or features would you like us to offer?

Uncovering customer desires helps in tailoring services to meet their needs. It’s a proactive step toward innovation based on customer-driven insights.

5: How would you describe your overall satisfaction with our service?

This question opens up a space for many different reactions and stories. It captures a general feeling that can be explored more for deeper understanding.

6: What suggestions do you have for our support team to serve you better?

This question invites customers to share ideas on improving our service. It’s a positive way to get useful feedback. It also shows a commitment to getting better and valuing what customers have to say, which can build trust and good relations.

7: What were the key factors that influenced your satisfaction with our service?

Looking into the details of satisfaction helps to understand what makes good service for customers. It’s a logical way to break down customer satisfaction.

8: How does our customer service compare to others you have experienced?

A comparative question provides a reality check and a broader industry perspective. It’s a way to understand your competitive standing from a customer-centric viewpoint.

It also may provide insights into areas where competitors excel, offering a benchmark for improvement, or areas where your service shines, which can be leveraged in marketing and brand positioning.

Conclusion: Open-ended questions in a nutshell

Open-ended questions are conversation starters, allowing for a richer exchange of ideas. They help individuals express themselves more fully, paving the way for a deeper understanding.

In business, particularly in customer support, these questions are crucial. They help unearth the customer’s perspective, providing key insights for improving service. For support professionals, every open-ended question is an opportunity to better understand customer needs and enhance the dialogue. Through these questions, a culture of open communication and continuous learning is fostered, which is essential for delivering exceptional customer service.

How did you like this blog?

Roland is the go-to guy for content marketing at Nicereply. With over a decade of experience in the field, he took the reins of the SEO department in April 2023. His mission? To spread the word about customer experience far and wide. Outside of the digital world, Roland enjoys quality time with his wife and two daughters. And if he's in the mood, you might catch him lifting weights at the gym—but don't hold your breath!

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