Prompt (odai)
Overview
Odai ("prompt" or "set topic") refers to a topic offered as the theme for creative work or conversation. It's the same word used for the topic in oogiri (a comedy game of witty answers) or in haiku. On social media, it's used when calling for posts on a specific theme, as in odai tweets or an odai-bako (prompt box).
In a question box, it means the person answering sets a theme and asks for questions, like "Today's prompt: send me questions about X." Setting a prompt lowers the hurdle for asking and helps line up the direction of the questions.
What prompts do
Prompts are used to get a question box going. Some senders find it easier to think of a question when they see "Today I'll only answer questions about food" than "Ask me anything." Getting stuck because there are too many choices is called "the paradox of choice."
Prompts benefit not only senders but also the person answering. Questions on the same theme help give your answers consistency. They make it easier to compare and dig deeper. Answers to questions on the prompt "your favorite food" can also take the shape of a single series.
How to choose a prompt
A good prompt has the following three qualities. First, anyone can answer it. A prompt that needs expert knowledge limits who can ask. Second, the answer differs from person to person. "What's 1+1?" doesn't work as a prompt, but "What's your favorite season?" does, because the answer differs for each person. Third, the person answering can give a fun answer. A prompt that brings out the personality of the person answering can liven up the question box.
Classic prompts: "X vs Y: which side are you on?" "What if X?" "Tell me about your latest X." "X aruaru (relatable things about X)." These keep the hurdle for asking low and tend to bring out a variety of answers.