People in conversation

Sample Questions for Divisive Issues

Published

A good question can be transformative, whether it's in a highly structured dialogue or a casual conversation. Questions that are generous and curious serve to disrupt the cycles of conflict and polarization that arise from tough topics.

These vetted dialogic questions are intended to draw out the personal stories that lie behind a person's perspectives and values around a given topic. They will make your conversations become deeper, lead to more curious avenues of inquiry, and generate complexity around a polarizing issue.

This resource offers examples of questions drawn from real-world Essential Partners collaborations on:

  • Race and Ethnicity
  • Gender
  • Guns
  • Partisanship

If you're in need of more help, sign up for a free phone consultation with a member of our program team today.

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