Strategic Questioning
The following is a set of the six families of Strategic Questions and a range of ‘prompt questions’ for each one.
To begin, select one of the local issues you identified in your learning journal, perhaps the one that you are most concerned about. It is important to state the issue in terms of a real, tangible local problem that actually concerns you and maybe other people in your community rather than an abstract or theoretical problem.
For example:
- Too general:
- “I am concerned about the future of young people.”
- Nice and specific:
- “I am concerned about the future of young people in my city who seem unable to find a job after school.”
- Too general:
- “I am concerned about too many trees being cut down around the world.”
- Nice and specific:
- “I am concerned about the council’s plans to cut down the trees along Catilla Road in order to widen it into a four lane highway.”
Observation Questions
For example:
- What do you know about the issue?
- How did you learn about it?
- What other people are concerned about it?
- How does it affect your local area?
Feelings Questions
For example:
- How do you feel about this issue?
- Has this issue affected your own physical or emotional well-being?
- What do you feel in your body when you think or talk about this issue?
Visioning Questions
For example:
- What is the meaning of this issue in your own life?
- How could the situation be changed so it would be as you wished it to be?
Change Questions
For example:
- What will it take to bring the current situation towards your vision?
- What exactly needs to be changed?
- How might these changes come about? Name as many ways as possible.
Personal Inventory and Support Questions
For example:
- What would it take for you to participate in the change?
- What would you like to do that might be useful in bringing about these changes?
- What support would you need to work for this change?
Personal Action Questions
For example:
- Who do you need to talk to?
- How can you get others to a meeting to work on this issue?
Source: Adapted from Peavey, F. (1994) By Life’s Grace: Musings on the Essence of Social Change, New Society Publishers, Philadelphia, pp. 86-111.