“Hesiode knew a lot, but he could not improve that day and night are the same” – Heraclites.

We need three main elements for interesting and pithy conversation: ethos (reasonableness, tolerance, good communication, respect and ethics), pathos(emotion, voice, body language, smile, humor, eye contact, dress code style) and logos (fast reaction, concentration, argumentation, purpose, analyzing, organizing, critical thinking). 

Conversation with arguments means that we speak reasonably and convincingly. We have to speak with arguments if we want to have negotiations:

• Socrates’ method: ask questions to understand the position
• Dialogue method: changing opinions, discussing
• Ensure method: different positions need to be well-founded. Logical discussion and connection are needed.
• Negotiation, trouble shooting method: understand the main point of conflict, control emotions, listen to arguments and recognize their advantage.
• Acting method: psychological and emotional influence
• Method of convincing yourself: showing only your position and do not interest others’ opinions. We do not want to listen to others.
• Method of making effect: main point is not what is said, but to whom is said. The main accent goes to intonation, mimics, gesticulation.
• Structure of arguments: two main points are- deduction and induction methods.  Deduction logic is making private discussion from general discussion. Syllogism is deduction decision. Induction is a Latin word and means allusion, to make general discussion from private discussion.

Arguments may be unacceptable but listen to others and remember: all arguments have weakness and search these weaknesses. Search more advantages in your position.

Thus,“Don't raise your voice, improve your argument."

CASE:

You are the employees of the same company “A”.  This company produces and sells macaroni and has been operating on the market for 20 years.

The first group says that the worker X is very bad and unproductive for the company and he must be fired.

The second group has an opposite position and says that the employee X has brought a huge success to the company.

1)   Each group has to improve its position

2)   Write 4 or 5 arguments to improve your opinion.

You are free in your ideas!

20 minutes for discussion for each group.

Author: Mariam Bolkvadze