What elements do you usually use when starting a discussion?

I usually always have questions in my discussions and out of those choices most of the time I include experiences of things I have done or had contact with to help others,sometimes I include opinion where I state my opinion on something and ask what others think about the topic,and from time to time I will post discussions with problems I am having in hopes that someone will be able to help me.

richiem - it all depends on the context. In the office coffee room, at a social gathering, professional conference - each calls for a different composition of all the similar elements. However the unfailing success is when I ask about the other person and is genuinely interested in their response. For example - I ask Mary "How are you feeling today"? And follow-up the question with three or four other questions that are relevant to her (without making it sound like an interrogation) then there is the beginnings of a discussion regardless of who Mary is. She might be a friend, a colleague, a business associate or even just someone I just met. Asking genuine questions and genuine interest in the other person is the best conversation starter and sustaining thread of any conversation.

I think mostly experience and opinion, I like to have discussions; real discussions where people defend there opinion. I don't neccesairly want to convince others that I'm right, but I love to have a good conversation and hear what other people have to say about their point of few. It does have to be in a friendly and good manner though. Sometimes I ask help about problems but this is occaisonly and comes from recent experiences that I am having at that specific time. This one also goes for how people reply, did you notice that? I mostly reply with experience on the topic if possible.

I usually start a discussion about how to solve a problem or about how to do something I don't know how to do. I seldom start a discussion that doesn't at least end with a question that can't be answered with a one-word answer. I have very few discussions that have a lot of responses. I think that is because I'm not very controversial. I think the discussion that got the most responses was one about Planned Parenthood.

Hi, good discussion you've started here. Nope, never thought of those elements when starting a discussion - whatever that pops into my mind. However, I'd say it's mostly something that I'd just experienced, and would like others' opinions and advice. Or just a discussion to find out what or how other myLotters are doing, like example, what time do they sleep? or do they like coffee? It's, most of the times, simple discussions on everyday routines or activities - for me, it's a matter of experience or curiousity!

In my view opinion, information, tips type discussions get the most responses. I never thought it this way. Whenever something came in my mind & i think i should share it then i just write it down. It is true that i can categorize it that you gave. Also i don't have the answer for "other". Hope someone answer it.

I think I mostly start discussions to share my experience and to solve my problems.... Sometimes I do give tips about things i know... But its less... I like to give opinions... But I give opinions through responses to other discussions.. and wont start any new discussion on my opinions... I think the experience worked a lot for me... Nice discussion... Keep posting.....^_^

I go with most of them...but all depends only if I want to discuss a certain topic. I don't just go with any kind of topic I mostly go with what I feel to discuss..be it personal or not... I rarely do a discussion I just mostly respond.

Hmmm have to think on this one... I do share some experiences. I think that sometimes it helps people when they read about similar experiences to the ones they're going through, to see what others did in the same situation, to even just know that they're not the only ones. Sometimes I do start with one opinion. It makes up for a good debate sometimes as long as it's all done in a respectfully manner and different opinions are accepted. As for information it really depends. I often give information in a response, when someone asks something that I happen to know. But as I rule I don't often start a discussion with information about something. The same with tips, although I have occasionally. As for stories, not much unless they are my own, and in that case yes I do:) I have on occasion posted a problem that I'm facing. What I"m trying to achieve is getting different perspectives that will help me with that problem. SOmetimes when we are too involved with something we loose perspective because it's too personal, so reading about it from other perspectives is often helpful. It's not exactly one or other than work best for me, it's just what feels at the time - which can change from one time to another of course. I think that it's important that we write and respond about something that is in our mind at the time. Forcing responses just because, doesn't usually make up for great discussions. I enjoy all my time here and I intend to keep enjoying it, that's what really counts:)

Hi richiem, [i]I am more about my experiences and opinion..I don't think really about it before posting but just post whatever comes into my mind! SOmetimes, I also post about problems and great thing that I have great friends who are always willing to answer![/i]

MOst of my interest are started out from my experiences and info.. I find that i cAN relate more based on my experience, and help others with it or let it be a lesson for others to know ^_^ As for info wise, it's always good to share knowledge and absord new things in our daily life.. We can never stop learning about new things and so info is actually quite important to me ^_^

hi richiem, well, of course the question is the main element i always use. the additional elements i frequently use is opinion. i will start my topic by telling what i think about it. i also sometimes use problems, but never my extremely personal problems, just little problems like how to find interesting discussions on mylot.

Hi! Well frankly I don't really know where I fall on those elements you posted. I just start discussing whatever comes my mind. It can be from my experiences or a story that I remembered. It can be from something that I have read or heard in the news or see in the streets. Anything that I would like to share to you guys. But I think I have done many postings on the ME,Myself category so maybe I'm falling on the experience element. Ciao!

Well I usually include one of those in discussions that I start. It really depends on the topic but usually it is different from one topic to another. Of course the discussions I enjoy the most are the waht ifs and if you were type of discussions. It amuses me how people think

For me, it depends on what mood I am in, and what is going on in my life, or in the world at the time. A lot of times for me, when in a New discussion or posting back to a discussion, I like to post my personal opinions and try to help others who might be going thru the same thing as well. But from time to time, I might just post something to get opinions and such as well.

When I have started discussions on mylot, I have just started discussions I thought would be interesting. I hadn't considered what I was trying to get out of the discussion in terms of your categories. Thinking about it now, I think most of the discussions I have started have been in terms of TIPS and INFORMATION, although I have been interested to hear people's personal experiences and opinions.

i really don't start many discussions. don't have much to talk about that i think people would be interested in. you are smart to gibe it so much interst. i would probably just be a spur of the moment discussion starter if i was to start one. i see so much silly things people have started just trying to earn money i guess. i'm on here just for fun not the money. greetings from tennessee.

When starting discussion I use my knowledge to which I am weak , I mean that I must make a question and try to find the question . As you said when problem arises then I always make question. Apart form those I try my best to create a oppertunity to earn for other friends.

hi friiend,I enter with whatever comes to my mind.when I specifically think of something to post discussions,my mind will become blank that time,so I post whatever thoughts I get.

i think we can't say what is THE BEST, cause they work in different conditions and situation in a discussion. it's ridiculous if group members have a problem and you answer him with another problem. When i was in situation like that i always mix all these elements the purpose was to make others understand what i say. for example, when i share my experience about what i've done i also give reasons why i did that. In this case i combine EXPERIENCE, INFORMATION, and maybe a little OPINION. regards, daniel