<p>Following <a href="http://meta.math.stackexchange.com/questions/588/how-can-i-ask-a-good-question">this question on meta.math.SX</a> and in particular the <a href="http://meta.math.stackexchange.com/questions/588/how-can-i-ask-a-good-question/589#589">excellent post by Pete L. Clark</a> that inspired it, perhaps some equivalent question-optimisation hints should be in the FAQ here? Possibly as some sort of hybrid with or counterpart to the existing SX boilerplate <strong>What if I don't get a good answer?</strong></p>
<p>For example, the question might be along the lines of:</p>
<h2>How should I ask my question to increase my chances of getting good answers?</h2>
<p>And the answer would probably hit at least the following points:</p>
<ul>
<li>Use as descriptive a title as possible</li>
<li>Use appropriate tags</li>
<li>Be specific: what do you want to know?</li>
<li>Put the question in context: <em>why</em> do you want to know?</li>
<li>Be clear: explain acronyms, define any non-standard jargon, link to external sources.</li>
<li>Show that you care: what have you already done?</li>
<li>...</li>
</ul>
<p>(I can expand these into something less bullety if this seems like a worthwhile question, but everyone else should feel free to beat me to it!)</p>
