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To be more aware of leading language it is useful to know the different forms it takes. Not being able to find a typology that suited my needs, I developed the one below. It became clear to me that each type of leading could be used with or without a question. Later I added other sections to make this a more useful resource for others.
What is a Leading Question?
- Prompting desired answer (Oxford Concise Dictionary)
- One that suggests the answer or which only allows a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. Only allowed in cross-examination. (Penguin Guide to the Law, 1986)
- A question that makes assumptions about the answer to it, regardless of the awareness or intention of the questioner. (my definition).
What is a Leading Statement?
- A statement that inclines phenomena to be considered or responded to in a particular way. (my definition)
Some types of leading questions and statements
|
Leading Question |
Leading Statement |
|
| Forced Choice / Multiple Choice | Which do you like better, peas, okra or beans? | You can have carrots, cabbage, parsnip or pumpkin. |
|
I Mind Read You |
You like spaghetti squash, don’t you? | You will love what I do with turnips. |
|
You Mind Read Me |
Mandarins are better, know what I mean? |
As you know, I can really get excited by fresh lettuce |
|
Impersonal Assertions |
Doesn’t spinach have lots of iron? |
Cabbages struggle in lime soils. |
|
Preferred Answer Indicated |
How do you feel about me putting this garlic in the salad? |
The sort of people we want are keen on garlic. |
| Challenged Statements |
How can you say you don’t like bananas? |
But everyone knows grapes are good for you! |
|
Socratic (or The Right Answer Is In This Direction) |
So if plum blossom comes out in spring when do we first expect to see the fruit? |
If you look at the apples you will notice it is the peel directly facing the sun which has gone red. There is usually a reason for such consistent patterns. |
Presuppositions
Other leading questions and statements come from the use of presuppositions, words that assume something else to be true.
E.g. “When did you stop crushing garlic?” presupposes or implies:
- that the person questioned formerly crushed garlic
- that the crushing of garlic took place over time
- that garlic crushing is no longer taking place
- that garlic is being used but with some other form of preparation
Presupposition Definitions
- The information that a speaker assumes to be already known. (The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Language, 1987)
- A basic underlying assumption that is necessary for a representation to make sense. Within language systems, a sentence which must be true for some other sentence to make sense. (The Structure of Magic, Vol. I)
Some examples of presuppositions
| Time Based | When did you stop forcing your rhubarb? Afterthe tomatoes have ripened you can really enjoy them. |
| Change Of Time | Are you going to stop growing endive? Lee will continue to producegreat onions. |
| Complex Adjective | Why have you bought green lemons? (presupposes there are other kinds) We have good quality, newpotatoes. |
| Ordinal Numerals | Wasn’t that your fourth brazil nut? You will get step fiveof my brinjal pickle recipe next week. |
| Comparatives | Aren’t my radishes as crisp as yours? Capsicums are even betterfreshly picked. |
| Change of State Verbs | Won’t you be surprised if your seedlings turn into icebergs? A frost tonight could transformmy cucumbers into mush. |
Further information on presuppositions
The Structure of Magic – a book about language and therapy, Vol. 1. Richard Bandler & John Grinder, Science & Behaviour Books, Palo Alto, 1975
Presuppositions are often included in NLP Trainings but may be only a small part of the course content.
