[quote1213370363=Ratio]
Interrogatory Declaration (ID)
During my presentation on opening at last Sunday’s class, I mentioned a concept I have termed an Interrogatory Declaration (ID). A few people have asked for more information on this concept, so here it is:
An ID is a statement that, while not technically a question, will almost always require a response. The best way to think of an ID is as the opposite of a rhetorical question.
Rhetorical Question: A question that is actually a statement.
Interrogatory Declaration: A statement that is actually a question.
Pretty much any question can be re-phrased as an ID. IDs can be used while texting, in emails, on the phone, or in person.
IDs are powerful because they display, depending on the context, one or more of the following characteristics:
1. They create a stronger frame than asking traditional questions. You are telling, not asking.
2. IDs “assume the sale†because they often have the answer in the ID.
3. IDs do not supplicate to the HB. You seem stronger, more confident, and more “take chargeâ€.
4. IDs are not used by most guys the HB meets. They make you stand out in her mind.
5. IDs have a conversational tone that makes her feel like she's known you longer than she's actually known you. You don’t talk to your friends by asking rapid fire questions. You simply speak your mind and your friends respond. Traditional questions can make an HB feel like she’s being interviewed.
There are probably other benefits that currently slip my mind. I try to eliminate, as much as is practical, the question mark from the end of my sentences when communicating with an HB.
Examples: (Traditional question (TQ) followed by its Interrogatory Declaration (ID) equivalent)
TQ: Do you want to meet for drinks tonight?
ID: Let's meet for drinks tonight.
TQ: How old are you?
ID: I’d say you’re at least 87 (or whatever) years old.
TQ: Where did you grow up?
ID: I bet you grew up in (Chicago, Houston, etc.).
TQ: How many brothers and sisters do you have?
ID: I have (one, two, no) brothers and sisters.
TQ: Want to watch a DVD at my place?
ID: I’ve got some killer DVDs at my place.
Interrogatory Declarations are a powerful, but simple, technique to incorporate into your toolbox.
- Ratio
[/quote1213370363]
This is borderline what are called 'presuppositions' in linguistics.
TQ: Do you want to meet for drinks tonight?
Presup: Let's meet for drinks tonight. The presupposition is that you already WANT to meet for drinks
TQ: Want to watch a DVD at my place?
Presup: Let's go watch a DVD at my place. presuppose that they already want to go watch a DVD.
This shows up in NLP and influence texts, for selling and so forth.
