1.Why Question Quality Matters
Ask Sque's responses depend heavily on how you phrase your questions. Clear, specific questions lead to better answers. Vague questions produce vague results.
2.Principles for Effective Questions
Be Specific
Vague: “What is contract law?”
Better: “What are the key elements of a valid contract under California law?”
Specificity tells Ask Sque exactly what you're looking for. Include:
- The legal topic or issue
- The jurisdiction (if relevant)
- The specific aspect you're interested in
Provide Context
Vague: “Is this enforceable?”
Better: “Is a non-compete agreement enforceable in California if it restricts an employee from working for competitors for two years after termination?”
Context helps Ask Sque provide relevant analysis. Include:
- The type of agreement or legal document
- The parties involved (individuals, corporations, etc.)
- The jurisdiction or governing law
- Key facts or circumstances
Ask One Thing at a Time
Unfocused: “What's the status of patent law regarding software, and how does it interact with copyright, and what about international treaties?”
Better: “What is the current state of patent protection for software in the United States?”
Multiple questions dilute focus. Ask one main question and follow up with additional questions in the conversation.
Define Your Goal
Unclear goal: “Tell me about discovery”
Clear goal: “I need to draft a discovery request in a patent infringement case. What are the main categories I should cover?”
Tell Ask Sque what you're trying to accomplish:
- Are you researching for background?
- Are you drafting a document?
- Are you analyzing a legal problem?
- Are you preparing for a meeting?
3.Effective Question Patterns
For Research
The Request
“What is [legal concept] under [jurisdiction] law?”
Example
“What is the standard for establishing personal jurisdiction in federal court under the Due Process Clause?”
For Analysis
The Request
“Given [facts], what are the [legal issue] considerations?”
Example
“Given that the defendant is a Delaware corporation with no offices or employees in California but sells products online to California residents, what personal jurisdiction arguments might apply?”
For Drafting
The Request
“Draft a [document type] that addresses [requirements].”
Example
“Draft a motion to compel that addresses a party's failure to respond to interrogatories under FRCP 33.”
For Comparison
The Request
“What are the differences between [concept A] and [concept B]?”
Example
“What are the differences between a patent, trademark, and copyright?”
For Brainstorming
The Request
“What arguments could [party] make regarding [issue]?”
Example
“What arguments could a defendant make to challenge personal jurisdiction in this case?”
4.Questions to Avoid
Avoid Jargon Without Context
Vague: “What about the Dormant Commerce Clause?”
Better: “Does the Dormant Commerce Clause prevent a state from imposing stricter environmental regulations than federal law?”
Avoid Yes/No Questions Without Nuance
Limited: “Is an NDA enforceable?”
Better: “Under what circumstances would a non-disclosure agreement be unenforceable?”
Avoid Loaded Questions
Biased: “Why is this contract clearly invalid?”
Neutral: “What arguments could be made that this contract is invalid?”
5.Example: Prompt Improvement
Original question
“What about non-competes?”
Issues
- Too vague
- No context
- No jurisdiction
- No stated purpose
Improved question
“I'm drafting a non-compete agreement for an executive in California. What are the enforceability requirements for non-competes under California law, and what provisions should I include to maximize enforceability?”
Better because:
- Specifies the legal topic (non-compete agreements)
- Provides jurisdiction (California)
- Defines the goal (drafting)
- Identifies the context (executive employment)
- Clear desired outcome (enforceability requirements and provisions)
6.Tips for Better Results
- Start broad, then narrow: Begin with a general question, then refine with follow-ups
- Build on previous answers: Use Ask Sque's memory of your conversation
- Ask for multiple perspectives: "What are the arguments for and against?"
- Request specific formats: "Provide this as a bulleted list" or "Structure this as an outline"
- Verify sources: Ask Ask Sque to cite sources for claims
Frequently asked questions
Yes. You can update your personal preferences at any time from your profile settings, including notifications, display options, and workspace defaults. Changes apply to your account immediately unless noted otherwise.
Your preferences can affect tone, formatting, and how responses are presented, but they do not change the underlying legal definitions or matter-specific context Sque uses when analyzing your documents and queries.