The 22 Questions

Here are four kinds of interview prompts to “complicate the narrative” - 22 curious questions designed to draw out more meaningful responses and respectfully challenge stereotypes.

AMPLIFY CONTRADICTIONS & WIDEN THE LENS

• "What is dividing us on this issue?"
• "How do you decide which information to trust?"
• "What is oversimplified about this issue?"
• "Where do you feel torn?"
• "Is there any part of the [other side's] position that makes sense to you?"

ASK QUESTIONS THAT GET TO PEOPLE’S MOTIVATIONS

• "Why is this important to you?"
• "Which experiences have shaped your views?"
• "What do you want the other side to understand about you?”
• "What do you want to understand about the other side?”
• "How has this conflict affected your life?"
• "What would change in your life if more people agreed with your stance?"
• "What would it be like if people didn’t agree with your stance?”

LISTEN MORE AND BETTER

• "Tell me more about that.”
• "How do you feel, telling this story?"
• "Where does that (feeling, emotion, paranoia, distrust) come from?"
• "Can I interrupt you? I want to make sure I have everything right.”
• "What’s the question nobody’s asking?"

EXPOSE PEOPLE TO THE OTHER TRIBE & COUNTER CONFIRMATION BIAS

• "What do you think the other group thinks of you?”
• "What do you think the other group wants?”
• "What do you already know, and what do you want to understand, about the other side?”
• "Help me make sense of this. Because a lot of other people are saying “X”...
• "Is there anything about how the media portrays you or people with your views that feels inaccurate?”