Caritas Veritas Symposium “Describe an argument,” Professor Jennifer Dunn asked of her audience as a way to open up her discussion, Taking a Stand. This was the first Caritas Veritas symposium I had attended on September 24th, which took place in the lower level Crown Library. There were about 15 people in the audience, and almost everyone had an input in describing an argument, using words such as “anger” and “tense.” According to Professor Dunn, all of the answers given to her question were wrong. An argument done right should not be so controversial, but a mature debate. To know how to argue correctly is to be able to grasp, research, explain, and most importantly defend in a much better manner. To learn to do so, she said one must always keep the following three concepts in mind: preparation, practice, and a positive attitude. To prepare yourself for an argument, one should know as much as possible of their topic. One must research both the conciliating and opposing sides of the claim so that one is able to not only explain their belief as best as possible, but also know how to defend it. One must also take into consideration any alternatives and consequences before advocating. When this is achieved the next step is to practice. Professor Dunn didn’t mean it as talking to yourself in front of a mirror, but to practice how your words are going to be used. You want your audience to understand you as much as possible, especially the people who are on the opposing side of the argument. Professor Dunn also mentioned to always keep a positive attitude. In an argument, one should always keep an open mind as to what the opposing side has to say, as you would want them to do the same for you. An argument should not involve resentment, but rather respect for what the other has to say. The genuine way of arguing was then demonstrated in the second symposium I attended- “Illegal Immigrant” versus “Undocumented Immigrant:” Which term
Caritas Veritas Symposium “Describe an argument,” Professor Jennifer Dunn asked of her audience as a way to open up her discussion, Taking a Stand. This was the first Caritas Veritas symposium I had attended on September 24th, which took place in the lower level Crown Library. There were about 15 people in the audience, and almost everyone had an input in describing an argument, using words such as “anger” and “tense.” According to Professor Dunn, all of the answers given to her question were wrong. An argument done right should not be so controversial, but a mature debate. To know how to argue correctly is to be able to grasp, research, explain, and most importantly defend in a much better manner. To learn to do so, she said one must always keep the following three concepts in mind: preparation, practice, and a positive attitude. To prepare yourself for an argument, one should know as much as possible of their topic. One must research both the conciliating and opposing sides of the claim so that one is able to not only explain their belief as best as possible, but also know how to defend it. One must also take into consideration any alternatives and consequences before advocating. When this is achieved the next step is to practice. Professor Dunn didn’t mean it as talking to yourself in front of a mirror, but to practice how your words are going to be used. You want your audience to understand you as much as possible, especially the people who are on the opposing side of the argument. Professor Dunn also mentioned to always keep a positive attitude. In an argument, one should always keep an open mind as to what the opposing side has to say, as you would want them to do the same for you. An argument should not involve resentment, but rather respect for what the other has to say. The genuine way of arguing was then demonstrated in the second symposium I attended- “Illegal Immigrant” versus “Undocumented Immigrant:” Which term