March Madness: Are you a victim of the Duh Factor?

The Duh Factor is something that, when read, can be answered by a rolling of the eyes and the teenage favorite "duh." Generally speaking, you do not want the Duh Factor in your query, ms, or pitch. Duh Factors can also be spotted if, when someone reads them, they can make a snarky comment that completely nullifies everything you were building up. For example, if your hook begins, "If a genie offers you three wishes, would you use them?" I can answer "No," and that's it. Your entire premise is bunk.
 

Examples of the Duh Factor:

• Rhetorical questions:
• What would you do if the fate of the world rested on your shoulders?
• If you were given a time travel machine, would you use it?
• If you had a choice between what you wanted and sacrificing everything you've ever known, would you do it?
• Inane statements:
• Stephanie never asked to be given super powers
• Lucas never wanted to be King but fate intervened
• Things never went Susan's way
• Vague statements or questions:
• Imagine what would happen if a young boy is suddenly transported to a world unlike he's ever known.
• Rocko's life is about to change in a really big way, and he won't see it coming.
• Obvious dialogue:
• Brian walked into the room. Sue was surprised to see him. "Brian," Sue said. "I'm surprised to see you."
• "I see you are drinking coffee with sugar. I know you always need your coffee in the morning before work."
• "Darcy, meet my friend Liza. We've known each other since second grade. She really likes cheese. You will like her."
• Redundancy:
• Dark Moon is a YA fantasy that will appeal to adolescent readers who like being transported to new worlds
• Red Desert is a NA mystery that will appeal to older teens 18-24 who enjoy mysteries
• Teddy Bear Gruff is an easy reader targeted towards kids 3-6 just learning how to read
• Normal (not "normal") characters:
• Becky is a sarcastic, bitter 17 year old girl
• Edgar is a quiet but sensitive bad boy who isn't interested in any of the shallow girls at school, until Amy, the pretty new girl, shows up
• Paul will do anything to save his family from the corrupt government, even if it means sacrificing himself

Even as I was writing these, I was making snarky comments, snorting through my nose, and prepared to smash my own screen in frustration.

I know I'm missing some. So, please, share your own!

Happy writing!