RPG GMing

Types of questions for players, and when to use them

• Closed = yes or no
• Open = generates more detail
• Reading = emphasis one solution
• Inverted = outcome is set, lots of creative limitation there.
• Redirect = motivate inter-player interactions
• Affective = character internal monologue, feelings and emotions. Deep & rich inner life.

When to use the questions, based on outcome/information required

The six question types before neatly fit into the three functional categories. If you want to:

• Clarify or learn about a character or the world then you can ask open questions to elicit detail or closed questions to clarify established facts.
• Tempt players or incite quick action then you can ask leading questions to prime them for a tense situation or an inverted questions to have them roleplay or explain what happened.
• Learn about a character’s state or adjust the pace then you can ask affective questions to learn about a character’s emotions and thoughts on the scene or redirect questions to gently check-in with a player or have them comment on the actions of another character.

Source: How to improve player engagement in roleplaying games using questions -- The Bardic Inquiry