OHT Question Writing Guide


This is intended as a question writing guide for the Ottawa Hybrid Tournament. You are welcome to refer to this document when writing for other tournaments, but check with the director for any specific details.

Sources of information include the question guidelines for VETO and various comments on the Quizbowl Resource Center discussion forums.

Contents
Why was my question cut?

Over the years at the Hybrid Tournament, there have been more complaints about writers seeing their questions cut than complaints about the final packets themselves. Here are some of the main reasons why submitted questions got cut in the past. If you steer clear, you have a good chance of seeing your submission played almost intactly. Note: Your good questions will not be cut just because they weren't needed. While players have enjoyed the "editor's packet" in the past, it won't be used if there are enough good questions from the submissions.
OHT Topic Distribution

OHT packets should have the following distribution of topics. The notation "2/2" refers to "2 tossups / 2 bonuses": With regard to the academic distribution as a whole: With regard to the pop culture distribution as a whole:
Formatting

The editors of the OHT have to deal with several submissions. Time spent on converting file formats, fixing spacing, etc could be better spent on fixing the content of the questions themselves. Since OHT packets have a specific “style” for consistency and legibility, it is best to provide “skeleton” formatting, so that we can add the spacing or tabs that we need:

Formatting Guidelines

In other words, a submitted questions would look like this: 

This is a tossup.  I didn’t bother with putting a number at the start; you can leave 
your numbering blank if you want.  Now assume that the rest of this text is filled 
with clues.  For ten points, what is the answer to the question?
Answer:  The answer

...

Here is a bonus showing formatting and underlining answers.  For ten points each:
A.  Name the country immediately south of Canada.
Answer:  United States of America (or America)
B.  Name the Vice President of the United States as of 2007.
Answer:  Richard (“Dick”) Cheney
C.  Name the most abundant element in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Answer:  Nitrogen

Overview

This overview is about the broad scope of what can appear in a packet, regardless of whether it is a tossup or bonus.

The following is not allowed for question content: The following is usually discouraged as well:
"Pet topics" can also be a problem if not managed properly. Let's say you love mysteries. Literature, TV shows, movies... if there's a detective, you know it. Unfortunately, not everyone else knows mysteries; some may like the classics, or romance, or science fiction. 2 or 3 mystery-related questions in the packet is probably enough: beyond that, you should diversify. In general, while you want to write questions that are enjoyable for yourself, they should also be enjoyable for others to play on.

There are some minimum standards for earning points as well. To get these "minimum" quotas, make sure tossups are answerable by the final clue and that bonuses have at least one "easy" part:
Finally, questions should be factually accurate. This does not mean that every question must be extracted from a master's thesis, just that slip-ups should be avoided. These slip-ups most often occur when doing question research on the Internet. Sometimes, it is hard to judge the accuracy of a website- particularly Wikipedia, which is prone to accidental errors or even vandalism. There is a good list of legitimate websites compiled for the VETO guidelines. Myself, I admit to using my electronic copy of Britannica for most academic questions. Again, remember that while information can be taken from these sources, lifting exact phrases is plagiarism and unacceptable.

Tossups

Tossups are the most critical questions of the game. Even though they are only worth 10 (or 15) points alone, they provide exclusive access to 30 further points. The point "swing" on a tossup is 90 points (15+30 in either direction). Thus, it is crucial to have good tossups.
How are tossups good? They are fair and reward knowledge. This can be broken down into three criteria: These criteria are the cornerstones for good tossups. They look like mumbo-jumbo disguised as big words, but here's a breakdown:

Answerability is just that: is the tossup able to be answered by players? In general, all answers should be recognizable to players- I say "recognizable" because there will always be cases of answers being "on the tip of your tongue" or you have "heard of that before", even though you didn't get the answer. Keep the obscurity to a minimum: a tossup with the answer of "Washington Redskins" is more likely to be answered than a tossup about a specific player with the Redskins.

While it's all well and good to have simple answers, it means nothing if there isn't a "giveaway" clue at the end of the tossup after "for ten points". Frankenstein is a good answer, but a final clue of "For ten points, name this novel in which Henry Clerval ends up dead on the shores of Ireland" could leave some people hanging, and the tossup may go dead. A better choice to be certain the tossup gets answered could be: "For ten points, name this Mary Shelley novel about a Swiss doctor and his monstrous creation".

There is a very simple reason why tossups should be answerable (beyond players enjoying getting questions right). If tossups go dead, you've wasted time writing the full complement of bonuses. If 6 tossups go dead, bonuses 15-20 will never be used. If you wrote it, you may as well try to have it used.


Clarity should be the easiest criteria to meet. Don't trick or confuse players into what the answer could be. The confusion is easily eliminated by placing a pronoun (or "this novel", "this building", "this...", etc.) in the first clue that refers to the answer.

For example, this tossup clue on "The Gomery Commission" is poorly worded: 
Even though he looked silly presenting several 
signed golf balls, the former prime minister in 
this investigation..."
In that example, "he" is the first pronoun, and could lead players to buzz incorrectly with "Chretien". A better way to phrase it would be: 
In this inquiry, a former leader made a spectacle 
by presenting several signed golf balls..."
In this case, there is no confusion over whether the answer is "Chretien" or "Gomery Commission".

Be careful of a tossup that begins with a list. Make sure there is at least a proper identifying pronoun so that the players know what type of answer is sought. For example: 
Henry Clerval, William, Elizabeth.  These are all victims of what creature?
The lack of identification could have a player buzz in early with Frankenstein, since that list is of names of characters. However, the correct answer is "Frankenstein's monster". A better way to phrase the question would be: 
Its victims include Henry Clerval, William, and Elizabeth...
There are also other "quirk" phrase that may be included at the start of a tossup to remove confusion. "Two answers required" and "The name's the same" are helpful for their appropriate situations.

Clarity can also mean "uniqueness". The first and last clues of a tossup (if not all of them) must be unique to the answer required. "This painter of the 1800s was praised for his bold use of colour" could refer to hundreds of artists. "His Mont Saint-Victoire set of paintings were a sensation..." is much more specific.

Unfortunately, several people pass off "useless" clues as their unique clues. "This politician was born on July 10, 1851" is not going to get any buzzes, because very few people memorize numbers like that. In general, numbers or dates should be avoided as opening clues. For example (useless number in bold): 
At 899 km, this river...

She earned her Ph.D. from Concordia in May, 1988

With a molecular mass of 101.2, this compound...
Of course, there are some exceptions, but they require the number to be particularly notable (such as George Washington's birthday or the 26 miles to Marathon). However, most of these "notable" numbers would be too easy for an opening clue anyway. Stick with an identifiable or an interesting clue as the opener instead.

And of course, clarity means that spelling and grammar are correct. Try saying your tossups out loud so that there are no "stumbling" areas. If necessary, add a pronounciation guide (don't use IPA symbols, though - some computers can't read or print them). For example: 
"Jocelyn Thibault ["joss-lain tee-boh"] played for this team..."

Pyramidality may be a word you have never heard of before, but it is frequently used in quizbowl circles. Think of a tossup as a pyramid, starting at the top and working down to the base. The top of the question would have clues can could only be answered by a small number of people, but clues get easier so that a wider range of people can answer as the tossup approaches its end. Essentially, clues in a tossup should go from least answerable to most answerable.

So how would a tossup take on this "pyramid" shape? First, look at the answer. Is it recognizable to a wide range of people? If so, that is a base to work from. Is there an appropriate "giveaway" clue? If so, that would be the next step up.

Unfortunately, ordering the clues can be difficult, particularly in subjects that you are not good at (which is why it is encouraged to spread question-writing duties to teammates who are best with specific categories). In a typical four or five clue tossup: Ideally, most tossups would be answered just before the giveaway (ie: on the "broad category" clues). Assuming a full slate of 8 players in a game, the probability of at least one person having a good grasp of a broad category is quite high. The giveaway clue should only be there for matchups featuring two weaker teams, a neg on one side, or the fluke of no one knowing a particular category. Too many tossups going to giveaway clues leads to too many buzzer races, which can be frustrating for some players.

The following things would not be pyramidal:

In summary, tossups are crucial questions that have a large point swing. They should be made as fair as possible, according to the concepts of answerability, clarity, and pyramidality. In addition, as many tossups as possible should be answered: this gives the fullest use of the bonuses you wrote. If you want it from a strength perspective:
Bonuses

Bonuses should be where the majority of the points are scored in a game. They are a series of questions on a particular topic that can provide up to 30 points. Here are some basic rules to sort out appropriate bonus structures: Most players/writers are aware of the different ways that bonuses can be set up. This list will try to cover the most commonly-used ones, then judge them on a Good, Neutral, and Bad scale. Bad formats will have some recommended changes.

Three questions for 10 points each Three questions of different values (5/10/15) Two questions for 15 points each 5 for one, 10 for two, 20 for three, 30 for four 5-5-10-10 or 5-5-5-15 One thing, other thing, both, or neither List of 6 for 5 points each, or 5 at 5 points each with a bonus five for all correct 10 on a hard clue, 5 on an easier clue (or 15/10 or 15/5) 30-20-10 (or any subset of 40-30-20-10-5-1) Less common formats
In summary of the judgments:

Good: Use as many as you want. Neutral: Less than 3 each per packet. Bad: Don't use these.
In terms of points, over the course of a tournament, weaker teams should have roughly 10 points per bonus, the field average should be around 15, and the top teams should be near 20. Currently in Canada, the average bonus conversion at a tournament is between 13 and 14, so there's room to get more points.

Even though strong teams should be near 20 points per bonus, this does not mean that the third question of 10/10/10 bonuses should be impossible. Strong teams should regularly get 30 points in the topics they are good at, and get 10 or 20 points in their poorer areas. The converse is not true, however. To get the weaker average up to 10, it is encouraged to make sure the "easy" bonus parts are reasonable for all teams - similar to tossup giveaways.

Examples

All examples listed here are questions previously submitted by Ben Smith to various tournaments. A reference to the tournament it was used at is also included. Since this are older questions, some facts may be out of date. Obviously, these examples should not be used as question material for your own submissions.

Example Tossups

Literature
Firstly, it must be admitted that Ben is not good at literature. There are likely better examples out there. 
[VETO '05, Ben, TU #4]
His first words to another person were:  “Pardon this intrusion.  I am a 
traveller in want of a little rest; you would greatly oblige me if you would 
allow me to remain a few minutes before the fire.”  These words were spoken 
to the blind De Lacey.  He survives at the end of the novel, but knows he will 
die, just as William, Justine, Clerval, Elizabeth, and Victor did.  Having 
black hair, watery eyes, and yellow skin, for ten points, identify this being 
that seeks vengeance on his creator in a Mary Shelley novel.

Answer:  Frankenstein’s monster (or creation, daemon, or similar equivalents); 
do not accept “Frankenstein”


[VETO '04, UOttawa, TU #23]
Its author suggests that writers should be struck by lightning and chopped to 
bits if they use the possessive form of “its” with an apostrophe. Lynne Truss 
was peeved by signs such as “Bob,s Pets” and “Gateaux’s”, so she wrote this 
self-help book, which she insists is not a grammar book. Topping the bestsellers 
list this year in Britain and the States, for ten points, name this book about 
punctuation that took its title from a joke about a violent panda.

Answer:  Eats, Shoots, and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation

Science 
[OHT '06, Ben, TU #6]
Entner and Doudoroff suggested an alternate pathway of this process in which 
one less ATP is produced and one molecule of NADPH is released instead of NADH.  
That pathway is found in prokaryotes; higher organisms use the Embden-Meyerhoff 
pathway before branching off to further molecular breakdown.  From one starting 
molecule, this process has products of 2 protons, 2 molecules of water, 2 each of 
ATP and NADH, and 2 molecules of pyruvate.  For ten points, identify this 
breakdown of glucose found in almost all living cells.

Answer:  Glycolysis

History 
[VETO '06, Ottawa, TU #11]
While it is suggested that his name means “You! Do that!”, he probably just 
picked up the name from an 18th century writer. He spearheaded the Non-Aligned 
Movement in 1961, along with India, Egypt, and Indonesia.  Despite being a 
dictator, he was – and still is after his death – fairly popular in his country, 
particularly after he withdrew from the Cominform in 1948. For ten points, name 
this WWII resistance leader who later became Prime Minister of Yugoslavia for 
most of the Cold War.

Answer:  Josip Broz “Tito”

Fine Arts 
[OHT '06, Ben, TU #16]
Unlike other works in its series, this particular work of art has only a small, 
distant view of a mountain at its centre.  The artist’s signature is at the top 
left, just above the menacing titular object.  On display at the Metropolitan 
Museum of Art in New York, the series it is part of was created in the 1820’s.  
In the depicted scene, men are crouched down in fishing boats that are heading 
for Edo [“eh-doh”].  A woodcut by Katsushika Hokusai, for ten points, name this 
ocean scene from the series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji.

Answer:  “The Great Wave at Kanagawa”

Geography 
[VETO '06, Ottawa, TU #13]
Its Algonquin name is Askunessippi, which means “antlered river”, and it has a 
north and south branch which converge in the fifth-largest city in Ontario. Its 
watershed begins near Stratford and Woodstock, and covers most of the area 
westward. A battle during the War of 1812 on its banks saw the death of 
Tecumseh. Similar in name to one in England, for ten points, identify this 
river [that] flows through Chatham and London, Ontario.

Answer:  Thames River

Social Science
Again, Ben is not very good at the social sciences. There are probably better examples elsewhere. 
[OQT '06, HS tournament, replacement questions]
This type of resource legislation originated with British farmers and is under the 
jurisdiction of each province.  As its name suggests, it applies only to land, not 
offshore rights, which got Newfoundland and Labrador premier Danny Williams quite 
upset about the advantage Alberta’s oil patch has.  For ten points, name this rule 
that requires land owners to develop resource areas within five years, lest they be 
surrendered to the provincial government.

Answer:  fallow field legislation
Note: This is probably not a good example of the answerability criterion.

Music 
[OHT '06, Ben, TU #19]
He plays Robbie Stewart in the soon-to-be piloted Disney Channel series Hannah 
Montana, but he is better remembered for his music in the early 1990’s. He has 
the record for a debut album atop the Billboard album charts, with Some Gave All 
lasting for 17 weeks in 1992.  However, he had limited success afterward and is 
often labeled a one-hit-wonder, and even that one hit is now considered amongst 
the worst songs of all time.  For ten points, what Kentucky singer gave us the 
single “Achy Breaky Heart”?

Answer:  Billy Ray Cyrus

TV or movies 
[OHT '06, Ben, TU #23]
The Swedish version of this show has merged with the Norwegian version since 
the 2005 edition.  The Middle East version was dropped from the air after 10 
days.  Spain has had the most runs of this reality series, while declining 
popularity in its original country created a gap of almost two years between 
the fourth and fifth editions in the Netherlands.  The United States version is 
fairly tame, but most countries choose to film hot twentysomethings in the 
bedroom and shower.  For ten points, name this reality show in which contestants 
are kept in a house isolated from society and evicted by viewers’ votes.

Answer:  Big Brother

Sports 
[OHT '06, Ben, TU #10]
In a race in 1999, he beat a car, but lost to two horses.  At the 1992 Summer 
Olympics, he finished last in his semifinal, but the following February, he 
won a 50 metre sprint.  These events would be considered the twilight of his 
career, after being awarded the Lou Marsh trophy and Order of Canada in 1987 
and winning two bronze medals at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.  He is most 
remembered for his records in 1987 and performance at the 1988 Olympics.  For 
ten points, name this Canadian sprinter that was stripped of a gold medal 
and world record after one of several failed drug tests.

Answer:  Ben Johnson

Example Bonuses

10/10/10 
[VETO '06, Ottawa, B #16]
Answer these questions about a piece of modern fashion, for ten points each:

A: [10] Although its design was around the year before, Louis Reard 
[“lou-ee ray-ar”] introduced what type of beachwear in 1946?
Answer: bikini
B: [10] The bikini was heralded as an “explosion”, much like the atom 
bomb test on the Bikini Atoll. In which group of Pacific Islands will 
you find the Bikini Atoll?
Answer: Micronesia or Marshall Islands
C: [10] The French film And God Created Woman probably launched the 
bikini into mainstream culture. What sex symbol played the lead role?
Answer: Brigitte Bardot
[ON Bowl '06, Ben]
He was one of France’s great early kings.  For ten points each:

A. [10] Name this king who brought about several reforms in the late 8th century, 
and was crowned as the first Holy Roman Emperor.
Answer:  Charlemagne
B. [10] One of the most famous and oldest pieces of literature about Charlemagne 
is this chanson de geste, an epic poem about the king and a titular nobleman.
Answer:  Song of Roland or la Chanson de Roland
C. [10] The main event of the Song of Roland is this 778 battle in which Basques 
repelled Frankish progress into Spain.  It was a rare defeat for Charlemagne, 
and Roland died in the battle.
Answer:  Battle of Roncevaux Pass
5-10-20-30 
forthcoming

15-5/15-5 
forthcoming

List 
[OHT '06, Ben, B #8]
A certain number of Canadian provinces don’t have their capitals in their most 
populous city.  For five points each, or 30 points if you list all without any 
extras, name these provinces.  The first six (or fewer) answers will be taken.

Answer:  British Columbia; Alberta; Saskatchewan; Quebec; New Brunswick

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