What is the main characteristic of a leading question?

A leading question is defined by its ability to guide the respondent towards a specific answer or suggest a certain outcome within the context of a conversation or survey. This feature often involves phrasing that implies a preferred response, thereby influencing the respondent's answer instead of allowing them to express their thoughts freely.

For example, a question like "Don't you think that the new policy is beneficial?" nudges the respondent towards agreeing with the positive sentiment expressed, rather than inviting an unbiased opinion. This contrasts with other types of questions that encourage open-ended or reflective responses, which do not aim to steer the respondent in any particular direction. As a result, leading questions are particularly useful in certain scenarios, like advocacy or persuasive communications, where the goal is to elicit a particular viewpoint.