This or That – 200+ Prompts

Templates

Spark engaging conversations and reveal personality insights with our This or That wheel template featuring over 200 carefully crafted binary choice prompts. From everyday preferences like "Tea or Coffee" and "Beach or Mountains" to more thought-provoking dilemmas such as "Books or Movies" and "Android or iOS," these simple yet revealing questions create instant engagement in virtually any social setting. Perfect for livestream content creators seeking audience interaction, teachers looking for classroom icebreakers, team leaders facilitating group bonding, or friends wanting to liven up gatherings, this versatile template transforms basic binary choices into fascinating discussions about preferences, values, and decision-making patterns.

The beauty of This or That questions lies in their accessibility—they require no special knowledge, have no wrong answers, and invite participation from people of all backgrounds and ages. By randomizing these prompts through a spinning wheel, you create an element of surprise that keeps participants engaged and prevents predictable conversation patterns. The visual component of watching the wheel spin adds anticipation that text-based question lists simply cannot match, making this format particularly effective for maintaining audience attention in both in-person and virtual environments.

The Psychology Behind Binary Choice Questions

This or That questions tap into fundamental psychological principles that make them exceptionally effective for social engagement. Psychologists note that forced-choice questions activate decision-making processes that reveal underlying preferences and values without requiring the vulnerability of open-ended personal disclosures. This creates a psychologically safe environment for sharing, as participants can reveal aspects of their personality through seemingly simple choices rather than direct self-disclosure. The binary nature of the questions also triggers the psychological principle of contrast, where comparing two options helps clarify individual preferences that might otherwise remain undefined.

The rapid-fire potential of wheel-based This or That questions creates what psychologists call "state flow"—a pleasant mental state where participants become fully immersed in the activity. The combination of anticipation (waiting for the wheel to stop), decision-making (choosing between options), and social sharing (explaining choices) creates a multi-layered engagement experience that stimulates multiple cognitive and emotional processes simultaneously. This explains why these seemingly simple questions can sustain interest for extended periods across diverse groups.

Customizing Your This or That Wheel

While our template provides a comprehensive starting point, customizing your wheel to match your specific audience and purpose significantly enhances its effectiveness. Consider these customization strategies:

• Audience-specific categories: Tailor questions to your particular group—technology choices for tech enthusiasts ("Cloud Storage or External Hard Drive?"), food preferences for culinary groups ("Spicy or Mild?"), or travel dilemmas for adventure lovers ("Mountains or Ocean?").
• Age-appropriate selections: Create separate wheels for different age groups, with simpler concepts for children ("Cats or Dogs?"), trend-focused questions for teens ("TikTok or Instagram?"), and more nuanced choices for adults ("Save Money or Spend on Experiences?").
• Thematic collections: Develop wheels around specific themes like food preferences, entertainment choices, lifestyle decisions, or hypothetical scenarios, allowing for deeper exploration of particular interest areas.
• Cultural relevance: Include regionally specific options that reflect local preferences, traditions, or current trends, making the questions more relatable to your specific audience.
• Purpose-driven questions: Align choices with your goals—team-building wheels might focus on work style preferences ("Detailed Plans or Flexible Approaches?"), while educational wheels could incorporate curriculum-relevant concepts ("Historical Fiction or Science Fiction?").

Implementation Strategies for Maximum Engagement

The presentation and facilitation of your This or That wheel significantly impacts its effectiveness. For content creators, consider implementing a "wheel of the day" feature where viewers can see their comments and preferences acknowledged in real-time. This recognition creates a powerful engagement loop where viewers return to future streams hoping to have their responses featured. The predictable structure combined with unpredictable questions creates the perfect balance of familiarity and novelty that successful content requires.

In educational settings, teachers find that beginning class sessions with 2-3 This or That questions creates an energizing ritual that helps students transition into learning mode. The shared experience of watching the wheel spin builds classroom community while providing valuable transition time. Some educators extend the activity by having students briefly explain their choices, developing communication skills and creating opportunities for finding unexpected commonalities among classmates.

For team-building facilitators, the This or That wheel serves as an effective warm-up before more complex activities. The low-pressure nature of these questions helps reduce initial awkwardness while providing facilitators with insights into participant personalities that can inform group assignments for subsequent activities. The visible randomness of the wheel selection process ensures no team member feels singled out, creating psychological safety essential for effective team development.

Creative Variations to Extend Engagement

While the basic This or That format provides substantial engagement value, creative variations can extend its usefulness and prevent concept fatigue. Consider implementing a "Explain Your Choice" rule where after selecting an option, participants must provide a brief rationale. This simple addition transforms basic preference statements into opportunities for storytelling and personal expression, adding depth to the interaction without increasing complexity.

Another effective variation involves the "Switch Perspectives" approach, where after stating their own preference, participants must argue for the opposite choice. This technique develops critical thinking and empathy by encouraging people to consider alternative viewpoints. In educational or professional development contexts, this variation transforms a simple icebreaker into a valuable critical thinking exercise.

For groups that meet regularly, the "Preference Tracking" variation adds an interesting longitudinal element. By recording group responses to certain repeated questions over time, participants can observe how preferences evolve, creating opportunities for discussions about influence, changing perspectives, and group dynamics. This approach is particularly valuable in classroom settings where tracking preference patterns throughout a semester creates interesting data for analysis.

Question Categories for Comprehensive Engagement

Our template includes questions across multiple categories to ensure sustained interest and varied responses. Everyday preferences ("Coffee or Tea?") create accessible starting points, while hypothetical scenarios ("Time Travel or Teleportation?") encourage imaginative thinking. Ethical dilemmas ("Truth that Hurts or Lie that Comforts?") stimulate deeper reflection, and personality indicators ("Early Bird or Night Owl?") reveal character traits through seemingly simple choices.

By incorporating our This or That wheel template into your social interactions, educational activities, or content creation, you transform simple binary choices into windows for meaningful connection and engagement. The spinning wheel format adds an element of unpredictability and visual interest that enhances the fundamental appeal of these questions, creating a versatile tool for fostering conversation, building relationships, and generating insights across virtually any group context.