Good Arguments audiobook cover - How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard

Good Arguments

How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard

Bo Seo

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Biography & MemoirCommunication Skills

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Good Arguments
The Problem & Solution+
Finding the Disagreement+
Constructing an Argument+
Refuting a Point+
Persuasive Rhetoric+
Broader Impact+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
According to Bo Seo, what is the key to healing social division and making disagreement a force for connection?
  • A. Avoiding conflict entirely to maintain social harmony.
  • B. Approaching disagreements with the skills and respect of competitive debaters.
  • C. Relying strictly on objective facts rather than emotional rhetoric.
  • D. Ensuring all parties share the same core ideologies before debating.
Question 2 of 8
If you are arguing with someone about whether the government 'should' lower taxes, what type of disagreement are you primarily having?
  • A. A factual disagreement
  • B. A judgmental disagreement
  • C. A prescriptive disagreement
  • D. A rhetorical disagreement
Question 3 of 8
What is the primary purpose of the 'topic analysis' technique used by competitive debaters?
  • A. To brainstorm as many arguments as possible for both sides of an issue.
  • B. To draw out the different layers of disagreement by identifying contentious words.
  • C. To determine which side of the debate has the most factual evidence.
  • D. To practice speaking fluidly without using filler words.
Question 4 of 8
When constructing an argument, what is the crucial final step that people most often forget to include?
  • A. Providing concrete evidence to support the main claim.
  • B. Stating the conclusion clearly at the very beginning.
  • C. Explaining why the main claim actually supports the conclusion.
  • D. Acknowledging the opponent's strongest points.
Question 5 of 8
Which of the following is NOT presented as a valid method for refuting an opponent's argument?
  • A. Proving that the opponent's claim is factually incorrect.
  • B. Arguing that the opponent's claim lacks sufficient evidence.
  • C. Accepting the claim is true, but arguing it doesn't support the conclusion.
  • D. Attacking the opponent's character to undermine their credibility.
Question 6 of 8
How does the 'Side Switch' technique help debaters prepare for an argument?
  • A. It requires debaters to change their core beliefs to match their opponent's for the duration of the debate.
  • B. It involves stepping into the opponent's shoes for five minutes to brainstorm and preemptively rebut their arguments.
  • C. It forces debaters to physically swap podiums with their opponent to gain a psychological advantage.
  • D. It trains debaters to alternate rapidly between factual and prescriptive arguments to confuse the opponent.
Question 7 of 8
Why does Bo Seo argue that rhetoric is still necessary, despite its modern reputation for being manipulative?
  • A. Because facts alone are rarely enough to overcome people's high 'butt-off-the-couch' threshold for taking action.
  • B. Because politicians have proven it is the only effective way to win modern elections.
  • C. Because modern audiences lack the attention span required to follow purely logical arguments.
  • D. Because competitive debate rules require a certain amount of emotional manipulation to score points.
Question 8 of 8
Which of the following aligns with Bo Seo's rules for persuasive speaking?
  • A. Use complex metaphors to make your speech sound more intellectual.
  • B. Include long-winded introductions to properly set the stage for your audience.
  • C. Cut excess words, avoid unnecessary repetition, and get straight to the point.
  • D. Maintain strict objectivity by avoiding personal stories or emotional appeals.

Good Arguments — Full Chapter Overview

Good Arguments Summary & Overview

Good Arguments (2022) is one part memoir, one part guide to the art of speaking. It introduces us to the thrilling and eccentric subculture of competitive debate and distills its secrets into timeless principles for effective communication. If we can only learn to disagree better, it argues, we can improve our relationships and revitalize our democracies.

Who Should Listen to Good Arguments?

  • Couples who want to communicate more effectively
  • Introverts who want to climb out of their shell
  • Anyone who wants to speak more persuasively

About the Author: Bo Seo

A two-time world champion debater and the former debating coach for the Australian national team, Bo Seo is one of the most recognizable figures in the competitive debate community. He’s written for many major publications, including the Atlantic and the New York Times, and he’s also a regular panelist on the Australian TV debate program The Drum.

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