Is a Question Better Than a Tip?

The subject of this post is an example of itself. Huh? What does that mean?

It's not uncommon to see questions scattered in and among tips in a booklet, or as the primary content. This is especially true when the booklet author is a counselor, therapist, life coach, or a researcher (am I being redundant there?). Those professions do, in fact, pretty much "live in the question."

A series of questions is not the same as tips. Tips are directives, telling the reader what to do. While I fully support and personally engage in the investigative process, it's something different than what a tips booklet is intended to be. While some professionals may feel uncomfortable suggesting what to do, it can still be within the parameters of acceptability to write a tip that says "Think about the choices you have in such-and-such situation" rather than "What choices do you have in such-and-such situation?" Yes, a subtle nuance, and in my opinion, a crucial one.

What did you say would be your starting point for your booklet?

Until next time,
Paulette - often questioning the questions
www.tipsbooklets.com