# QUESTION_CONTENT_GUIDE.md # Closer Question Writing Guide v4 ## Mission Closer is not a questionnaire. Closer is not therapy homework. Closer is not a personality quiz. Closer should feel like a conversation game couples voluntarily keep playing because they are having fun. Every question should move the couple toward at least one of these: * laughing * flirting * learning something new * remembering something * planning something together * feeling understood * feeling appreciated * creating a future memory If a question does none of those things, delete it. ## Consumer First Every question must pass this test: Would a real couple willingly answer this on a Friday night? If not, rewrite it. Never write for psychologists. Write for normal couples. ## Product Standard Closer should feel premium. Every category should feel like it was handwritten by an experienced relationship coach and game designer, not generated by AI. If a user can predict the next question, the category fails. ## Question Mix Standard 250 question packs should use this mix: | Type | Count | |---|---:| | multi_choice | 140 | | single_choice | 50 | | scale | 35 | | this_or_that | 15 | | written | 10 | At least 76 percent must be choice based. Typing should feel rare and meaningful. Special packs may override this mix only when the override is documented in the pack metadata and in `QUESTION_REWRITE_PLAN.md`. ## Emotional Mix Each standard category should roughly contain: * 35 percent playful * 25 percent everyday relationship * 20 percent meaningful * 10 percent future focused * 10 percent deeper vulnerability Never stack several heavy questions together. Alternate emotional intensity naturally. ## Conversation Goals Every question should create at least one of these reactions: * "I didn't know that." * "That's adorable." * "We should actually do that." * "I can't believe you picked that." * "I've never thought about that." * "That's a really good point." If none apply, rewrite it. ## Daily Single Choice Voice Standard Daily questions are different from normal category packs. They should feel like two people deciding what to do, say, eat, watch, laugh about, try, or enjoy together today. Daily questions should be: * quick * warm * concrete * playful * easy to answer * relationship focused * doable in normal life Daily questions should not sound like: * therapy homework * self-help worksheets * HR wellness surveys * abstract emotional processing * generic AI relationship advice If the question sounds like a couples counselor wrote it, rewrite it. ### Banned Daily Tone Words Avoid these in daily questions: * reset * process * mental load * emotional load * autopilot * pressure * soft landing * relationship dynamic * name the mood * emotional processing * communication style * conflict framework These are not banned from every serious category forever, but they should almost never appear in daily questions. ### Daily Good vs Bad Good daily question: ```text Long day. What would actually help tonight? ``` Good options: * A hug before chores * Dinner without overthinking it * Ten quiet minutes together * One tiny task done Bad daily question: ```text Which reset would help us avoid autopilot? ``` Why it fails: * therapy coded * abstract * not concrete * sounds generated ## Daily Single Choice Weekday Lineup This is a special daily pack, not a standard 250 question category pack. Target counts are 500 total, 75 free, 425 premium, and 500 single_choice. ### Monday: Mood Check Monday Purpose: pick what kind of day the relationship needs. Vibe: gentle, simple, start of week, low pressure. Example: ```text What would help us start the week feeling closer? ``` Required tag: ```text daily_monday_mood_check ``` ### Tuesday: Tiny Win Tuesday Purpose: pick one small thing to do together. Vibe: low effort, practical, cute, doable. Example: ```text Which tiny win should we aim for tonight? ``` Required tag: ```text daily_tuesday_tiny_win ``` ### Wednesday: Real One Wednesday Purpose: pick the most honest answer. Vibe: present, grounded, lightly meaningful, not heavy. Example: ```text What would make us feel more present with each other tonight? ``` Required tag: ```text daily_wednesday_real_one ``` ### Thursday: Laugh It Off Thursday Purpose: pick something silly or low pressure. Vibe: weird, funny, tired week energy. Example: ```text What ridiculous little thing would improve our night? ``` Required tag: ```text daily_thursday_laugh ``` ### Friday: Flirty Friday Purpose: pick something playful, sweet, attractive, or date like. Vibe: compliments, attraction, flirting, fun. Example: ```text What kind of flirting from me still works best? ``` Required tag: ```text daily_friday_flirty ``` ### Saturday: Side Quest Saturday Purpose: pick a tiny adventure or date idea. Vibe: playful, outside the routine, doable. Example: ```text What kind of mini adventure sounds most like us today? ``` Required tag: ```text daily_saturday_side_quest ``` ### Sunday: Slow Burn Sunday Purpose: pick a warm intimacy or closeness answer. Vibe: affectionate, cozy, optionally spicy, never pushy. Example: ```text What kind of closeness would feel best tonight? ``` Required tag: ```text daily_sunday_slow_burn ``` ## Variety Never repeat sentence openings. Mix structures constantly. Examples: * Imagine... * Suppose... * If we suddenly... * Pretend... * Pick every answer... * Finish this thought... * What's one thing... * Which tiny habit... * If we only had one hour... * What would make... * When do you feel... * Which sounds most like us... No opening should dominate a category. ## No AI Writing Reject questions that sound like: * Describe... * Reflect on... * Discuss... * Evaluate... * In what ways... * How satisfied are you... * What boundary around... * Explore your feelings... * Identify... * Rate the effectiveness... These sound like surveys. Not conversations. ## Multiple Choice Should make people pause because several answers feel right. Use 4 to 6 options. Avoid obvious answers. Avoid filler. Whenever realistic, allow multiple selections. ## Single Choice There should never be one obvious answer. Every option should feel believable. Every option must directly answer the prompt. Use 4 to 6 options. ## Scale Use scales only when measuring intensity genuinely improves the conversation. Never use a scale because it is easier than writing good options. ## This Or That Keep them: * fast * funny * memorable * shareable Most should take under three seconds. ## Written Questions Written questions must earn the keyboard. Only use them when typing creates something choices cannot. Good written questions create: * stories * memories * appreciation * future plans Never ask users to write essays. ## Fun Rule Every category should include: * inside jokes * tiny challenges * food debates * traditions * bucket lists * silly scenarios * future adventures * friendly competitions * low pressure date ideas * unexpected situations Even serious categories need moments to smile. ## Relationship First Anchor every question to: * us * we * you * your partner * our memories * our future Avoid generic questions that could belong in any survey. ## Duplicate Prevention Never repeat: * sentence openings * concepts * option lists * conversation goals * emotional outcome If two questions feel similar, delete one. ## Readability Test After completing a category, randomly read 30 questions. Reject the category if: * the writing feels repetitive * the openings repeat too often * the tone feels robotic * the next question becomes predictable * multiple questions blend together * it sounds AI generated * it sounds clinical * it sounds like a wellness worksheet This test is mandatory. ## Premium Test Before approving every question ask: * Would I pay for this? * Would this start a real conversation? * Would this create a memory? * Would I screenshot this? * Would I send this to my partner? * Would I smile while answering it? If any answer is no, rewrite it. ## Final Approval A category is complete only if: * schema validation passes * duplicate checks pass * readability test passes * category identity is obvious * emotional mix feels balanced * consumer test passes * premium test passes * it does not sound AI generated ## Final Rule Conversation quality always beats quantity. One unforgettable question is worth more than twenty average ones. Never optimize for finishing faster. Optimize for creating conversations couples will remember.