4.2 KiB
Closer Question Writing Guide v2
See also: QUESTION_SCHEMA.md — JSON schema & validation rules | QUESTION_REWRITE_PLAN.md — rewrite checklist & category order | QUESTION_QUALITY_CHECKLIST.md — quality gate before commit
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 answer this on a Friday night?
If not, rewrite it.
Never write for psychologists.
Write for normal couples.
Question Mix
Per 250 questions:
- 140 multi_choice
- 50 single_choice
- 35 scale
- 15 this_or_that
- 10 written
At least 76 percent must be choice based.
Typing should feel special.
Never force users to type constantly.
Emotional Mix
Every category should roughly include:
- 35 percent playful
- 25 percent everyday life
- 20 percent meaningful
- 10 percent future
- 10 percent deeper
Alternate emotional weight naturally.
Do not stack heavy questions.
Conversation Goals
Every question should create at least one reaction:
- I did not know that.
- That is adorable.
- We should do that.
- I cannot believe you picked that.
- I never thought about that.
- That is actually a good idea.
If none fit, rewrite it.
Variety
Avoid repeating openings.
Use varied openings such as:
- Imagine...
- Suppose...
- If we suddenly...
- Pick every answer...
- Finish this thought...
- Would you rather...
- When do you...
- What is one thing...
- Which tiny habit...
- If we had one free hour...
- What would make...
- What feels most like us...
Never allow obvious patterns.
No AI Writing
Reject wording like:
- Describe...
- Reflect on...
- Discuss...
- Evaluate...
- In what ways...
- How satisfied are you...
- What boundary around...
- Explore your feelings about...
- Rate the effectiveness of...
- Identify the ways...
These sound like surveys.
Not conversations.
Written Questions
Written questions must earn the keyboard.
Use them only when choices cannot create the same value.
Good:
- What's something tiny I do that means more than I realize?
Bad:
- Describe your communication style.
Multiple Choice
Options should be interesting.
Avoid obvious answers.
Avoid yes or no disguised as choices.
Allow multiple selections whenever realistic.
Use prompts like:
- Pick every answer that fits.
- Choose your top three.
- What sounds good to you?
- Which of these feel true?
Single Choice
There should be no obvious correct answer.
The user should hesitate because several options feel plausible.
Scale
Only use scales when intensity matters.
Do not use scales just because they are easy to generate.
Good scale topics:
- comfort
- confidence
- closeness
- interest
- frequency
- importance
This Or That
Keep these:
- fast
- funny
- shareable
- easy
They should take under three seconds.
Fun Rule
Every category should include:
- inside jokes
- tiny challenges
- food debates
- traditions
- bucket lists
- silly scenarios
- friendly competitions
- future plans
- low pressure date ideas
Even serious categories need relief.
Relationship First
Anchor every question to:
- you
- your partner
- your relationship
- your memories
- your future
Avoid generic questions that could belong in a workplace survey.
Duplicate Prevention
Never repeat:
- sentence structure
- concepts
- option lists
- conversation goals
If two questions feel similar, delete one.
Premium Test
Reject any question if the answer to any of these is no:
- 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?
Final Rule
Conversation quality always beats quantity.
One unforgettable question is worth more than twenty average ones.