What's your question

One thing I like about the Dr. Laura radio program is how she attempts to get the person to the real question. Sometimes she has to be curt and direct by cutting off the verbal diarrhea of details the caller attempts to build in the foreword prior to the question.

There is a time for background and a time for laconic means of asking your question. Given the pressure of radio time, Dr. Laura (in the interest of her listeners) needs to control the interchange and get to the point/counterpoint.

This happens in business, especially in committee meetings. I like the term "Call the question" which is a reminder to the Chairperson of the meeting to cut off further discussion and vote!

Question - Answer - Vote - Resolution - Action