What Are Leading Questions?

Leading questions are inquiries designed to subtly guide the respondent toward a particular answer. These questions often include hints, assumptions, or bias within their phrasing. For instance, instead of asking, "What do you think about the weather today?" a leading question might ask, "Isn’t it a beautiful day today?

What Is an Example of a Leading Question?

Examples in Everyday Conversations

Imagine a friend asking, "You don’t want to go out tonight, do you?" The assumption here is that you don’t feel like going out, nudging you to agree.

Examples in Legal Scenarios

In courtrooms, a lawyer might ask a witness, "You saw the defendant leave the scene, didn’t you?" This implies the defendant’s guilt before the witness has a chance to provide their version.

Examples in Sales and Marketing

Marketers often use phrases like, "Wouldn’t you agree that this is the best deal you’ve seen today?" to encourage customers to make a purchase.