Comment, Comments and More Comments
As opposed to Wikipedia, our OP's are the source of all our queries and should remain that way. Unfortunately, most of our 'new' users are from forums where they are allowed 'free-range' rambling, thought musings, non-sequiters and other 'opaque' babblings that may or may not have a kernel of a legitimate question.
To edit these attempts, one should: 1) Have a clear understanding of Site Directives, and review other Meta posts which greater explain our objectives as well as the 'tensions' that exist when we attempt to enforce them.
2) Understand what the 'question' actually is hiding beneath the superfluous verbage, and see if it exists in a previously asked question(Yeah, I know, it's like doing their homework for them, but I generally give them a pass 1st time around).
3) Ask THEM what they mean. After all, it is THEIR question. If it is merely a rant, I VtC, otherwise I 1st mention what the 'Directive' is that they are in violation of, and suggest a course of action to correct it-allowing them to take the initiative to respond. Some do, some don't, but for the one's that do you've won a potentially valuable contributor, who takes the time to frame their queries within acceptable site guidelines and usually follows through with other questions as well.
4) Edit the question. 'Easy' edits are spelling, punctuation, grammar, and formatting. Individuals who are new to this site generally appreciate anyone who has read their question, and correcting the obvious doesn't change their query. Occasionally I have 're-phrased' the question to fall within Site Directives, but I always ask them if it is the question they are asking, and feel free to reverse my edits-it's their question, not mine. The times I do this is when there are(or will be) VtCs, and after a sufficient number, it is hard to get a hearing when a broad consensus has told you to shut up. I have found it is easier to encourage a new user to make the necessary adjustments when they believe they have a window of opportunity, rather then say to them, "Well, we thought that question sucked so we closed it, but you can always try again(snicker, snicker)".
Commenting, and making suggestions for improvement through comments is usually the best way to engage the OP and encourage a good outcome; one that achieves acceptable results and encourages new users to familiarize themselves with Site Directives. VtC's and VtD's are executive actions when comments have failed(IMO), or when questions(or answers) are so outside of Site Directives as to warrant their immediate action.