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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/20093
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Somewhere along the way I picked up a bias against using questions in my writing. Recently I've been reading more about persuasive writing and ideas, and came across a suggestion that asking questions creates drama which can be valuable too (in Made to Stick by Chip Heath).

For example, in a paper I'm editing they write:

> "Can we really be satisfied with less than half of our students failing a national standard for such a core subject? The fact that the majority of students across the nation are falling behind must mean that something is wrong. Reading is a core skill essential to every child’s development in both person and professional spheres."

In the past I would've suggested they delete the question, but I see the value and increased drama in that call-response format.

What would be the correct way to do this, if there is one? I'm curious both about writing like the above, and less formal persuasive writing (like sending an email to a potential client or convincing your boss to give you a raise).

Original score: 2