What Is a Better Discussion-Starter than the Question 'Why?' And Why?

I find the topic in the body of a discussion draws my attention more then the an actual question. I find that while a title may grab me if the body itself of the discussion is of no substance then it will not get my full attention. This is the way I see it before responding to discussions.

myth this is not a question and answer survey site at all and we do not need a question in the title to draw people in. this is a discussion site and a social site. so I feel you are wrong. we do not do surveys here we try to actually discuss something.For me I put a catchy title that will pull people in to read it,not a question in the title at all. My last discussion was something along the lines of "Woo hoo My leg Is getting better" and I got plenty of responses on it. no questions no need for any.

My discussions rarely start with a question, either in the title or in the topic. I think I have already said this on one of your other topics. I'm sorry that I have to repeat my thoughts and I can't alter them just for the sake of a response. Even offline I ask very few questions but I manage to get a discussion going about something just the same

Why seems to come off as a nagging question sometimes. Asking how and do you think seem to ease people into a discussion easier.

Hello mythociate, I am not a good discussion starter and that's why I am not the best person to say what word is a better discussion starter. Some of my discussion have questions in their title, but if we consider the success of those discussions of mine, we could say this is not a good recipe for success. That's why I think we can't necessarily say that "why" or other question in the title can guarantee the success of a discussion. It depends on many other factors.

The "why-question' as a discussion-starter isn't bad at all. It may appear boring or uninteresting when it recurs many times in the site. Definitely, myLot members never ran out of good discussion-starters as can be gleaned from the posts both past and present. I believe it depends upon the kind of topic being set forth (for discussion) which determines an appropriate and likable discussion-starter. However, I personally favor a post which provides a brief explanation before throwing iot to the myLotters for responses and comments. Good day mythociate.

Questions seem to work very well if I can sum it up there and just describe. If there is more to my discussion, then I might make a statement then ask a question or two at the end.

I start two types of discussion. One is query type where i want to know others information and experience... next one is based on my own experience. I never tend to interfere to someone's life. Take care.

Really to me to even post a discussion with a question, isn't really a discussion at all, as ssit doesn't have any substance, nor is it descriptive. The faq's and guidelines tell us to be descriptive and our posts should have substance. How in the world can a question have any substance? I will tell you that it can't. I don't like those kind of discussions, as like I said, they aren't discussions, but just questions. This site is all about discussing, and with questions, it really isn't discussing. I like discussions that I can respond to, not just a why question or any other question that has no meaning as I cant contribute at all. Good luck to you and happy mylotting.

I agree with pother's that it isn't really necessary to use a question to get a discussion started, but some people might find it easier to do it that way. Sometimes just stating your opinion on a matter will spark a discussion, either by inciting those who don't agree with you to state there, or encouraging others who DO agree with you to speak up in support of what you said. But as to your original question. I don't believe there is necessarily a "best" way to start a discussion, starting with the question why (fill in question here) is just as good as asking "what do you think..." or "where would you...?" or "have you ever heard of..." I personally tend to prefer the "what do you think about ..(particular topic)..? I usually end my discussions by asking three of four questions about the topic i was talking about, giving people many options/ideas about how to answer.

If you're not gonna use "Why" then you can use "What", "How", "When" or "Where". Pick one.