How Asking the Right Questions Leads to Stronger Writing
- Nia Janiar
- Mar 27
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 28
A few days ago, I read a thought leadership piece in a newspaper. Thought leadership article is meant to inform, educate, or offer insights from experts—but this one made me cringe.
The writing was all over the place. Each sentence in a paragraph introduced a new idea, making it hard to follow. The flow was choppy, and the writer used big words that didn’t add clarity. I kept wondering, How did this even get published?
It got me thinking: sometimes, an expert doesn’t write their own thought leadership piece. They might hire a ghostwriter or work with an editor to refine their draft. But in both cases, the key to a clear and compelling article lies in asking the right questions.
I learned this the hard way when I wrote my first thought leadership piece on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). It was a broad topic, and I wasn’t familiar with it. I interviewed an ESG consultant, but my questions were all over the place.
I started with “What is ESG?” in a general sense, then abruptly jumped to asking for their opinion on the Ministry of Environment’s PROPER program. The conversation lacked structure, and as a result, so did my article.
Now, I approach interviews differently. I ask questions in a way that aligns with the structure of the piece:
Main Message – What is the core idea they want to convey? If it’s too broad, I help refine it.
Audience – Who is the intended audience? This influences the angle I take and how I filter the information.
Opening – Why is this topic relevant? What background or problem prompted them to write about it?
Body – What are their key arguments supporting the main idea?
Closing – What action do they hope to inspire? Should policymakers take notice? Should academics engage more?
I always approach a topic with curiosity, allowing my questions to evolve naturally throughout the conversation. I keep asking until I fully grasp the subject, because if I understand it clearly, my readers will too.
Before starting the interview, I also make it clear that I may ask “basic” questions that might seem obvious. This isn’t about lacking knowledge, it’s about making sure we’re aligned from the start.
Research is essential before an interview. Knowing the main topic and its broader context adds depth to the piece. But research shouldn’t lead to assumptions like, I’ve already read about this, so I don’t need to ask. Verifying information firsthand ensures accuracy and clarity.
Good writing starts with good questions. The better we ask, the clearer our message becomes.
Moreover, if you want to improve your writing with clarity, structure, and precision, check out our upcoming workshop. This session won’t just focus on grammar or vocabulary—it will help you master the thinking process behind effective communication.
Lead Writer at B/NDL Studios. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and visiting art galleries with her daughter.
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