Leaving Open-Ended Questions as Comments: Crucial for Writers' Growth?

Leaving open-ended questions as comments on articles is slowly becoming popular on BleacherReport.com. I am a big fan of these types of comments, because I truly believe that by making writers answer questions about their article (besides just replying by saying "Thanks for the comment") it helps their overall growth as an author.

I have seen all over the site instances where the author of articles just ignore the difficult questions presented as comments in their entirety. They simply delete the comment from the article and move on.

How in the world should that make the readers feel when you can't back up the ideas that you brought up in your article?

I also find it interesting that writers of some articles even wait for other readers to reply to the open-ended questions for them. What does this do for the author of that specific piece of work?

Nothing at all.

The way I see things, if I as a reader leaves an open-ended question as a comment, the writer must put some thought and creativity into answering the question besides a simple "Yes," "No," or "Thanks for the comment!" as a reply.

If I want to bring up an issue that may challenge the author of an article, I never want to prove him wrong with facts. I simply ask if they have seen on another site where the facts may be differently than what they expressed in their article.  

This gives the writer the chance to look up the facts, see that they made a mistake, and allow them to change the article.

How would it help a writer's growth if I left "YOU ARE AN IDIOT, THAT IS NOT THE TRUTH. GET THE FACTS STRAIGHT! WHY ARE YOU EVEN WRITING ON A TOPIC THAT YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH?" as a comment?

It would help them none.

Letting the author know that he made a mistake in the article and allowing him to change it alone will make the author aware that next time he must do more research before publishing an article. He will get the facts straight next time, have a better understanding of the subject at hand.

Laurie Beth Jones, author of Jesus Life Coach, had this to say about open-ended questions:

"Open-ended questions convey a host of meanings. For one thing, they convey respect: 'I respect your opinion on this matter, and I am waiting for an answer. They also convey connection:  'You and I are in this conversation together—it is not a one-sided show. Now it is your turn to create and contribute.'"

That is the exact stand that I take as both a writer and a reader myself. As a writer, I want people to challenge me, challenge my words. I also want them to respect my opinion, much like I respect their response to my work.

As a reader, however, I want to feel a connection between myself and the writer. I want that person to know that I "agree to disagree." I also want to know that they care enough about my opinion that they are also willing to challenge my comment and defend their belief.

That is a belief of mine that I want to challenge all users of Bleacher Report to try. I want all readers to challenge the writers, but I want you to respect them. Let them know that you may disagree on the topic, but that you will debate them in a respectful manner.

That also establishes a connection between yourself and that writer. You are telling the author that you want a response, but you want them to back up their beliefs.

If you can leave one open-ended question on an article today, just see how that writer responds. I believe they will respect your opinion. If they don't, then shoot them the link to this article. Maybe then they will understand what you are going for.

So, after reading this, are you up for the challenge? 

Quote taken from Jesus Life Coach, written by Laurie Beth Jones.

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