What type of questions are considered open-ended?

Open-ended questions are designed to encourage a full, meaningful answer using the respondent's own knowledge and feelings, rather than a simple one-word response. By requesting detailed information from the sender, these questions allow the respondent the freedom to express themselves in depth, providing more comprehensive insights and facilitating a deeper conversation.

They are effective in eliciting information that goes beyond mere confirmations or denials, inviting discussion and exploration of thoughts, opinions, and experiences. This approach often leads to richer dialogues, making it a valuable technique in communication, particularly in contexts such as interviews, surveys, or counseling, where understanding the nuances of an individual's perspective is crucial.

In contrast, the other types of questions typically yield limited responses; for example, questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no" or those that have a fixed answer restrict the depth of information that can be gathered. Questions requested by the listener may vary in their specificity but do not inherently ensure an open-ended format.