Start with a shared theme
Put both options in the same general neighborhood. Two travel choices, two foods, two small conveniences, or two imaginary abilities are easier to compare than unrelated extremes.
Put both options in the same general neighborhood. Two travel choices, two foods, two small conveniences, or two imaginary abilities are easier to compare than unrelated extremes. In practice, the simplest way to test this is to say the question out loud and notice whether it produces an immediate, effortless answer or a short pause. That pause is useful: it means both options have enough weight to deserve consideration.
Remove the obvious winner
If almost everyone would pick the same side, weaken that option or improve the other one. The goal is not perfect statistical balance; it is simply to create a moment of hesitation.
If almost everyone would pick the same side, weaken that option or improve the other one. The goal is not perfect statistical balance; it is simply to create a moment of hesitation. In practice, the simplest way to test this is to say the question out loud and notice whether it produces an immediate, effortless answer or a short pause. That pause is useful: it means both options have enough weight to deserve consideration.
Use plain language
A prompt should be understood on the first read. Long conditions make people solve the wording instead of thinking about the choice.
A prompt should be understood on the first read. Long conditions make people solve the wording instead of thinking about the choice. In practice, the simplest way to test this is to say the question out loud and notice whether it produces an immediate, effortless answer or a short pause. That pause is useful: it means both options have enough weight to deserve consideration.
Test the follow-up
Ask yourself whether “Why?” would produce an interesting answer. If it would only produce “because it is better,” the prompt probably needs revision.
Ask yourself whether “Why?” would produce an interesting answer. If it would only produce “because it is better,” the prompt probably needs revision. In practice, the simplest way to test this is to say the question out loud and notice whether it produces an immediate, effortless answer or a short pause. That pause is useful: it means both options have enough weight to deserve consideration.
Keep a few categories
Writing gets easier when you rotate through themes such as food, travel, routines, imagination, and friendship instead of trying to invent every prompt from nowhere.
Writing gets easier when you rotate through themes such as food, travel, routines, imagination, and friendship instead of trying to invent every prompt from nowhere. In practice, the simplest way to test this is to say the question out loud and notice whether it produces an immediate, effortless answer or a short pause. That pause is useful: it means both options have enough weight to deserve consideration.
Keep it simple
The format does not need a scoring system or a complicated rulebook. A clear pair of choices, a reason, and a follow-up question are enough. The question has done its job when people stop thinking about the format and start talking to each other.