How to Ask Questions Elegantly

Introduction:

For most students who are just starting in computer science, they will inevitably encounter various questions during their studies. When feeling lost and helpless, the only way out is to ask teachers or classmates for help. However, sometimes these questions seem to vanish without a trace. You may wonder why these teachers or classmates, who usually seem so friendly and approachable, become so indifferent when you ask them questions. Sometimes, they even respond harshly, creating a stark contrast.

In fact, this situation often arises not because the other party is being arrogant, but because your questioning method is incorrect. This article aims to help everyone understand a few principles to ask better questions and achieve a higher response rate.

Incorrect Ways to Ask Questions

❌ “Hi, are you there?”

When I see this kind of opening, my inner monologue is (No, I’m not on Earth).

❌ “Can someone help me?”

No help will be given.

❌ “How do I do this? Just give me the code.”

Why should I give you the code? You’re not paying me.

❌ “Can I ask a question?”

But you don’t get straight to the point. I know you’re trying to be polite, but please state your question directly. Everyone’s time and energy are precious, so let’s skip the small talk.

❌ “How can I modify this code?” (Then the other person sends a long chunk of code.)

This is definitely one of the most annoying types of questions. Others do not have the time or obligation to read through your code to find simple mistakes that you can’t see!

❌ “Can I consult about [a certain language, framework, or a vast concept]?” I’m not at that level yet; this question exceeds my understanding.

Correct Ways to Ask Questions

✅ “I encountered this issue: [describe the problem]. I tried the following solutions: [explain your thought process], but I’m still getting the error: [screenshot of the error]. How can I resolve this?”

✅ “I don’t quite understand a certain aspect of [specific concept]. I understand it as follows: [your understanding]. Is this correct?”

In summary: The correct way to ask questions is to be specific and to the point.

Before Asking Questions

Try to check or experiment to find the answer yourself.

For most beginners, the vast majority of errors arise from the following:

Incorrect usage of variables and function syntax.

Solution: Please directly enter the function name in Baidu to check the specific usage method; avoid assuming you know how to use it.
Logic errors in the code.

Solution: Make good use of the debugging feature; it can help you resolve 80% of the issues!
Lack of understanding of a basic concept.

Solution: [Quickly catch up on it](菜鸟教程 - 学的不仅是技术，更是梦想！ (runoob.com))!

Try searching online for answers.
Try reading the official documentation for answers.

When you pose a question, please first state that you have made the efforts mentioned above. This will help establish that you are not a time-wasting, unproductive questioner.

If you can also express what you learned during the process of making those efforts, that would be even better, as we are more willing to answer questions from those who show a desire to learn from the answers.

When Asking Questions

Ask good questions. After filtering through the first step, in-depth questions and those you truly cannot resolve qualify as good questions.
Describe clearly but concisely what you want to do, the problem you want to solve, and the attempts you’ve made. This saves the responder from trying unnecessary angles and gives a positive impression that you have made efforts but still need assistance, reflecting a proactive attitude.
If it involves software installation, provide the operating system version, the version of the software being installed, installation steps, and complete error messages.
If using an instant messaging tool, it’s best to send all this information at once. This avoids the hassle of others scrolling through messages and prevents interruptions from other people’s messages. (You could also attach a screenshot formatted with this information; it might be clearer, but the text should be large enough for easy reading on mobile devices.)
Emphasize not to send just a partial screenshot of the code. No one knows which part is causing the error; you must ensure the code is complete!
Thank the responder, whether in spirit or materially. If someone helps you, show gratitude; it’s normal not to receive answers sometimes.

After Asking Questions

If you receive an answer that you don’t understand, don’t immediately ask the other person to explain. Like when you were trying to solve the problem before (using manuals, FAQs, the internet, or experts around you), first try to understand their response. If you truly need them to explain, remember to show that you’ve learned something from it.
It’s always good etiquette to express gratitude to the responder.
Once the problem is solved, provide a brief follow-up summary.

Five Principles of Elegant Questioning

Principle 1: Ask the Right Questions to the Right People.

Experts like challenging tasks and thought-provoking questions. If the question you pose can be found on Baidu, don’t be surprised if they look down on you. You should reflect on why you are so lazy! To experts, these lazy individuals are like pests; experts have limited time, and instead of ignoring your foolish questions, they would rather spend their time answering more meaningful inquiries.

Principle 2: Search Before You Ask.

Put your question through a search engine filter; this isn’t a difficult task. In fact, 90% of questions can be resolved through search engines. If Baidu doesn’t work, try Google; if Google doesn’t work, use Zhihu.

Principle 3: Try to Solve It Yourself First.

If you can’t find an answer to your question online, you need to think critically to try to resolve it. If you still can’t solve it, then ask the experts. They appreciate those who are diligent in thought and who make an effort to learn; don’t think you can casually mislead them. Their experience is richer than yours, and they can quickly assess your attitude towards the problem. So, think carefully and prepare your question.

Principle 4: Accurately Describe the Problem.

The description of the problem should include the following:

Clear details;
The background of the issue;
Research conducted before asking and your understanding of it;
Diagnostic steps taken to identify the problem before asking;

Note: Never use eye-catching phrases like “urgent,” “please help,” or “I beg you” to grab the attention of experts; these questions are generally not worth answering in their eyes.

Principle 5: Report Back After the Problem Is Resolved.

At the very least, if someone helped you resolve a problem, you should thank them; that is basic etiquette.

If you’re generous, you can write down the process of solving the issue so that others won’t make the same mistakes. This action not only summarizes the experience but also builds goodwill. Experts will appreciate your summary and may be more inclined to answer your questions in the future, and who knows, you might even get the chance to have a meal with them later!

If you can ask questions following these five principles, the world will have significantly less noise and complaints, which will benefit humanity.