Think more about exactly what they are asking or thinking about and prove the concepts behind their argument. Using basic 'tell me more' questions to go deeper.
* Why do you say that?
* How does this relate to our discussion?
Examples
* Why are you saying that?
* What exactly does this mean?
* How does this relate to what we have been talking about?
* What is the nature of ...?
* What do we already know about this?
* Can you give me an example?
* Are you saying ... or ... ?
* Can you rephrase that, please?
* What would be an alternative?
* What is another way to look at it?
* Would you explain why it is necessary or beneficial, and who benefits?
* Why is it the best?
* What are the strengths and weaknesses of...?
* How are...and...similar?
* What is a counterargument for...?
Makes you think about the presuppositions and unquestioned beliefs on what the argument is based. Shaking the bedrock and probing assumptions.
* What could we assume instead?
* How can you verify or disapprove that assumption?
Examples
* What else could we assume?
* You seem to be assuming...?
* How did you choose those assumptions?
* Please explain why/how...?
* How can you verify or disprove that assumption?
* What would happen if...?
Do you agree or disagree with...?
* What generalisations can you make?
* What are the consequences of that assumption?
* What are you implying?
* How does...affect...?
* How does...tie in with what we learned before?
* Why are you saying that?
* What exactly does this mean?
* How does this relate to what we have been talking about?
* What is the nature of ...?
* What do we already know about this?
* Can you give me an example?
* Are you saying ... or ... ?
* Can you rephrase that, please?
* What would be an example?
* What is....analogous (comparable/clearer) to?
* What do you think causes to happen...? Why?
* What was the point of this question?
* Why do you think I asked this question?
* What does...mean?
* How does...apply to everyday life?
Probing assumptions
Probing their assumptions makes them think about the presuppositions and unquestioned beliefs on which they are founding their argument. This is shaking the bedrock and should get them really going!
· What else could we assume?
· You seem to be assuming ... ?
· How did you choose those assumptions?
· Please explain why/how ... ?
· How can you verify or disprove that assumption?
· What would happen if ... ?
· Do you agree or disagree with ... ?
Probing rationale, reasons and evidence
When they give a rationale for their arguments, dig into that reasoning rather than assuming it is a given. People often use un-thought-through or weakly-understood supports for their arguments.
· Why is that happening?
· How do you know this?
· Show me ... ?
· Can you give me an example of that?
· What do you think causes ... ?
· What is the nature of this?
· Are these reasons good enough?
· Would it stand up in court?
· How might it be refuted?
· How can I be sure of what you are saying?
· Why is ... happening?
· Why? (keep asking it -- you'll never get past a few times)
· What evidence is there to support what you are saying?
· On what authority are you basing your argument?
Questioning viewpoints and perspectives
Most arguments are given from a particular position. So attack the position. Show that there are other, equally valid, viewpoints.
· Another way of looking at this is ..., does this seem reasonable?
· What alternative ways of looking at this are there?
· Why it is ... necessary?
· Who benefits from this?
· What is the difference between... and...?
· Why is it better than ...?
· What are the strengths and weaknesses of...?
· How are ... and ... similar?
· What would ... say about it?
· What if you compared ... and ... ?
· How could you look another way at this?
Probe implications and consequences
The argument that they give may have logical implications that can be forecast. Do these make sense? Are they desirable?
· Then what would happen?
· What are the consequences of that assumption?
· How could ... be used to ... ?
· What are the implications of ... ?
· How does ... affect ... ?
· How does ... fit with what we learned before?
· Why is ... important?
· What is the best ... ? Why?
Questions about the question
And you can also get reflexive about the whole thing, turning the question in on itself. Use their attack against themselves. Bounce the ball back into their court, etc.
· What was the point of asking that question?
· Why do you think I asked this question?
· Am I making sense? Why not?
· What else might I ask?
· What does that mean