Compiled by Sid Miller

There are several key concepts that must be understood in order for the screening guidelines to be practical and workable.

1. Every screener or coach should understand what a key word is.

A key word is a word that, when used in combination with other words, is unique to that particular word combination. I purposely worded this definition this way because of misunderstanding that I have perceived when doing question writing seminars.

2. Every screener or coach should understand what a key is. There is a difference between a key and a key word.

A key is the particular syllable in a key word on which the quizzer can buzz without being led to other options in the finish of the question.

This is what we mean when we say, "Buzz on key." It means more than buzzing on the key word. It means buzzing on the key syllable.

If only one question comes from a particular combination of words it is very simple to determine the key word and the key. However if there are 2 or 3 different ways a question can be finished at the key word and key a reference will be used. If there are four or more ways a question can be finished the key will be considered to come later except in a few instances as outlined in the paragraph below.

3. Every screener or coach should understand which words can be used in drafting questions when those words are not actually in a particular verse. Please refer to each year's list for the use of non-textual words that may be used in drafting questions. This list will vary from year to year depending on the quizzing material. A good illustration of the above statements is the use of the word should. Should is often used as a way to state imperatives. However, should is not to be used in this way unless should appears in the verse from which the question originates. The best way to state imperatives is: "Who is to" or "Who are to" rather than should unless should is in the verse.

4. Every screener or coach should understand how important the following are in screening questions:

The list of the interrogatives that are considered acceptable in writing questions

The following interrogatives are used in writing questions: Who, what, how, when, where and why. There are two forms that are used in drafting questions that are not actually interrogatives. "Describe and list" are two other acceptable words used to introduce questions. Even though the "list" types of questions are considered acceptable, in recent years the screeners have rejected them. We do not always use the "list" type of questions. List questions are permitted but sometimes a certain year's material does not lend itself to good "list questions."

Prepositions used prior to the key word

PREPOSITIONS ARE NEVER TO BE USED AT THE END OF THE QUESTION. There might be a rare instance in which a preposition could appear at the end of the question but this is EXTREMELY rare.

If a question is written that ends in a preposition it means that the only way to write the question in an acceptable way is to put the preposition at the beginning of the question.

Verb tense

If the wording of a passage uses the past tense and a similar question appears in another passage that uses the present tense, there is no conflict between the two questions and a reference will not be used.

We attempt to use the exact tense stated in the passage even if our knowledge of the events described indicate otherwise. A very good example of this is found in Ephesians 1:15-16

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Verse 15 is clearly stated in the past tense. However the first part of verse 16 is stated in the present tense. Therefore the following question would be stated in present tense language. What does Paul not cease to do? Our knowledge in looking back might make us think that this question should be worded: What did Paul not cease to do? To avoid confusion in the use of verb tense we attempt to word these kinds of questions like the first example above, What does Paul not cease to do? We do this because of the way verse 16 was stated.

Singular and plural use of words

If one question uses the plural and another similar question uses the singular, the two questions are not in a conflict that requires a reference.

The ability to distinguish the difference between who and what in questions

For instance some times world is what. Sometimes when actually referring to people world can be used as a who. However, most who and what questions are much more simple to determine.

Verb forms

Verb forms are one of the most difficult parts of the screening process. Sometimes the only way to keep a question from sounding weird is to change the verb form. Great care must be exercised in changing verb forms in order to avoid false keys.

The grammar of the passage used to write the question

Illustrations

Sometimes "now" is used to indicate time. Sometimes "now" is simply used to draw attention to the statements that follow and has no relation to time. The grammar and syntax of the passage will determine the usage of "now." A good example in John would be the way "now" is used in John 1:44 and 16:29. In John 1:44 "now" was used to draw attention to the words that followed. In John 16:29 "now" was used to indicate time.

Knowing the correct modifier is also important in writing and understanding questions.