Dialogue and discussion

Learning how to persuade other people is an essential part of the academic experience. While it’s one of the things you strive for in much of your assessment, it is critical in dialogue and discussion – ways of talking with other people to achieve something you both want. These pages will develop your oral communication skills, and build on your existing strengths in convincing people, and listening to and evaluating another person’s perspective.

In situations of dialogue and discussion, the involvement of other people is both an added challenge – and an extra resource. What they bring to the situation may really help develop your ideas in the direction you want, or they might blow them off course. It’s your responsibility to determine how you respond to other people’s contributions, and to shape the discussion into a positive experience.

These pages deal with two different situations for discussion and dialogue. Where would you like to start?

• Debate – a debate can be an excellent way of testing and deepening your knowledge, and offers you an opportunity to develop all kinds of skills.
• Advocacy and negotiation – speaking up for someone else’s rights and interests, or negotiating a solution that will benefit you and others, are central parts of some disciplines, and skills that are essential in the workplace.