So You Want To Debate | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Community

So You Want To Debate

How to converse on hard topics

18
So You Want To Debate
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.xeniumhr.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F06%2Fangela-and-brandon-debate.png&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.xeniumhr.com%2Fblog%2Fpodcast%2Fdebating-the-big-hr-issues-with-angela-perkins%2F&tbnid=dV-RlsFxAsQmfM&vet=12ahUKEwiapPHJ_ZvqAhUPbK0KHTj-BvQQMygAegUIARDQAQ..i&docid=kg5gZOuWGNMALM&w=1000&h=563&q=debating%20%5C&ved=2ahUKEwiapPHJ_ZvqAhUPbK0KHTj-BvQQMygAegUIARDQAQ

Ever get into a fight with a family member because they have a different view on a political or social topic with you? Ever feel like they try to invalidate your point by saying something like "oh you don't know what I'm talking about", "oh you are getting all of your information from bad sources" or my personal favorite, "we're just going to have to agree to disagree on that"? There are many ways in which you can get your point across to family and friends which will allow for them to have the best understanding about where you lie in your perspective. Here are a few tips and tricks that I have picked up along the way to help get my point across to even the narrowest of minds.

  1. Don't start yelling or raising your voice. Once this happens it seems to automatically shut off your credibility in the eyes of the person who you are conversing with. Instead try keeping your voice calm and low, if you are quiet they will have to pay closer attention to your words and not be as distracted by what they want to say next.
  2. Make sure to fact check your fact check. Winning an argument has no meaning if the data you're using is from an unreliable source or if it is skewed in a certain way. When you find a piece you want to use, make sure to check it across many different websites or articles you can find. Then if the person asks about where you got your information from you can ask them which site they want because you are confident in it.
  3. This one may be hard for some, but sympathize with your opposition in the argument. When debating politically, don't be afraid to say that both sides are bad or point out your own weaknesses. If you do that first and address it, you can then move into your more relevant point and it will be harder for them to rebuttal with "well yours if worse" or something along those lines.
  4. Know more than them. Harder in practice I'm sure but imagine this, you're debating on the issue of say the protests happening right now about police brutality. If you can name a specific detail or retell the whole story about an incident involving that, you might have an edge over the person you are debating if they know nothing about that certain incidence.
  5. Educate them, and be willing to be educated. The sharing of information is something that is key right now, because like I said in the last point they might have specific knowledge about an event that you might not and vice versa. It's not shameful to admit that you were wrong in certain cases and that you didn't have all the information, you have to be willing to say, "okay I see the information you are giving me and I will use it to make better informed decisions in the future."

Right now is probably the best time to have these tough talks that need to happen in America right now. There is so much misinformation going around that it's hard to know fact from fiction and how to apply that. Hopefully with having these talks with the people around you, we can become a better informed society and implement change where we see it is needed.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

124478
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

27504
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

25680
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments