Having trouble sparking thoughtful discussions around articles in your non-fiction writing community? These ready-to-use conversation templates help you engage members, encourage meaningful exchanges, and inspire new ideas.
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Article conversation prompts work because they connect members through shared learning and critical thinking. By highlighting key points and inviting reflection, these posts make it easy for everyone to join in, regardless of their experience level.
This content type encourages members to analyze, agree, question, or even challenge ideas, which deepens engagement and builds a culture of curiosity. When community members feel their perspectives are valued, they are more likely to participate actively and form lasting connections with others.
After reading this article, what idea resonated with you most?
💡 Example: "After reading this article, what idea resonated with you most?"
Do you agree with the author’s main argument? Why or why not?
💡 Example: "Do you agree with the author’s main argument? Why or why not?"
Share a personal experience that connects to this article’s theme.
💡 Example: "Share a personal experience that connects to this article’s theme."
What is one question you would ask the author about their perspective?
💡 Example: "What is one question you would ask the author about their perspective?"
Pick a quote from the article that stood out to you and tell us why.
💡 Example: "Pick a quote from the article that stood out to you and tell us why."
Was there anything in this article you disagreed with? Share your thoughts.
💡 Example: "Was there anything in this article you disagreed with? Share your thoughts."
How might you apply an idea from this article to your own writing?
💡 Example: "How might you apply an idea from this article to your own writing?"
What is the most controversial point in this article?
💡 Example: "What is the most controversial point in this article?"
Did the article change your perspective on this topic?
💡 Example: "Did the article change your perspective on this topic?"
Summarize the article in one sentence.
💡 Example: "Summarize the article in one sentence."
If you could rewrite the conclusion, what would you say?
💡 Example: "If you could rewrite the conclusion, what would you say?"
What is one lesson from this article that all non-fiction writers should learn?
💡 Example: "What is one lesson from this article that all non-fiction writers should learn?"
Which example or anecdote in the article was most effective?
💡 Example: "Which example or anecdote in the article was most effective?"
Was there a part that confused you or left you wanting more detail?
💡 Example: "Was there a part that confused you or left you wanting more detail?"
How does this article compare to others you have read on the same topic?
💡 Example: "How does this article compare to others you have read on the same topic?"
Would you recommend this article to other writers? Why or why not?
💡 Example: "Would you recommend this article to other writers? Why or why not?"
What would you add to this article to make it stronger?
💡 Example: "What would you add to this article to make it stronger?"
Has this article inspired you to research further? Share your next steps.
💡 Example: "Has this article inspired you to research further? Share your next steps."
What writing technique did the author use most effectively?
💡 Example: "What writing technique did the author use most effectively?"
What would you title this article if you were the editor?
💡 Example: "What would you title this article if you were the editor?"
Share one takeaway that will influence your writing.
💡 Example: "Share one takeaway that will influence your writing."
Which section of the article did you find most engaging?
💡 Example: "Which section of the article did you find most engaging?"
How does this article challenge common beliefs in non-fiction writing?
💡 Example: "How does this article challenge common beliefs in non-fiction writing?"
If you could ask the community one question about this article, what would it be?
💡 Example: "If you could ask the community one question about this article, what would it be?"
Have you read anything that contradicts the points made in this article?
💡 Example: "Have you read anything that contradicts the points made in this article?"
What emotions did this article evoke for you as a writer?
💡 Example: "What emotions did this article evoke for you as a writer?"
Did this article remind you of another piece you have read or written?
💡 Example: "Did this article remind you of another piece you have read or written?"
If you had to summarize the article for a friend, what would you say?
💡 Example: "If you had to summarize the article for a friend, what would you say?"
Was there a statistic or fact that surprised you in this article?
💡 Example: "Was there a statistic or fact that surprised you in this article?"
How did the article’s structure help or hinder your understanding?
💡 Example: "How did the article’s structure help or hinder your understanding?"
What would you like to read next that builds on this article’s ideas?
💡 Example: "What would you like to read next that builds on this article’s ideas?"
Does this article challenge or reinforce your existing beliefs?
💡 Example: "Does this article challenge or reinforce your existing beliefs?"
Which resource mentioned in the article will you explore further?
💡 Example: "Which resource mentioned in the article will you explore further?"
What advice from the article would you share with a new writer?
💡 Example: "What advice from the article would you share with a new writer?"
Would you like to see more articles like this? Let us know your topics.
💡 Example: "Would you like to see more articles like this? Let us know your topics."
Did you notice any biases or assumptions in the article?
💡 Example: "Did you notice any biases or assumptions in the article?"
If you could interview the author, what would be your first question?
💡 Example: "If you could interview the author, what would be your first question?"
Share an alternative perspective or counterargument to a main point.
💡 Example: "Share an alternative perspective or counterargument to a main point."
How would you adapt the article’s message for a different audience?
💡 Example: "How would you adapt the article’s message for a different audience?"
What do you think was missing from the article?
💡 Example: "What do you think was missing from the article?"
How would you summarize the article’s main message in your own words?
💡 Example: "How would you summarize the article’s main message in your own words?"
Choose an article relevant to non-fiction writing, summarize its core message, and select a template to prompt conversation. Post your chosen template with a brief intro or summary, and tag or mention members who might have unique viewpoints. Follow up with replies, acknowledge different perspectives, and encourage members to expand on their thoughts for a richer discussion.
For all platforms, use clear formatting for article titles and prompts. Pin high-value conversations, use tags or hashtags for discovery, and prompt replies with @mentions or follow-up comments. Utilize polls or reactions where available to gauge sentiment.
You can select templates that prompt members to share their preferences or experiences with narrative versus expository writing styles. For example, pose questions like 'What challenges have you faced when transitioning from expository to narrative nonfiction?' or 'Which techniques do you use to maintain factual accuracy in narrative nonfiction?' This encourages nuanced conversations about structure, voice, and fact-checking unique to these sub-genres.
Leverage templates that encourage scenario-based discussions, prompting members to reflect on real-world ethical challenges they've faced. For instance, you might ask, 'Have you ever struggled with whether to anonymize a source or use a composite character? How did you decide?' These conversations help writers navigate gray areas and share industry best practices on ethics.
Absolutely. Use templates that prompt sharing of favorite fact-checking tools, research databases, or methods for verifying information. For example, 'What’s your go-to process for validating interviewee claims in investigative pieces?' or 'Which primary sources do you rely on for historical nonfiction?' These questions foster a resource-sharing culture based on the unique demands of nonfiction accuracy.
Choose templates that encourage personal reflection on balancing factual reporting with authorial voice. Ask questions like, 'How do you ensure your personal stories remain truthful without sacrificing narrative engagement?' or 'What strategies do you use to avoid bias when recounting sensitive events?' Such prompts address a core challenge in creative nonfiction communities.
Utilize templates that initiate conversations on sensitivity, representation, and respect. For example, 'What language choices do you make when covering traumatic events?' or 'How do you approach writing about controversial historical figures?' These discussions help members share best practices for responsible and empathetic nonfiction writing.
Adapt templates to invite members to post excerpts or outlines for feedback, with prompts like, 'Looking for input on my opening anecdote: does it establish credibility?' or 'How can I make my argument clearer without losing nuance?' This fosters a collaborative environment tailored to the iterative process of nonfiction article development.
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