Background
American politics have become increasingly polarized in recent years, affecting my generation. Recent events like the 2024 presidential election and the college protests have opened my eyes to our society's bitter divide and the intolerance of hearing and understanding opposing views. As a Staples student, I have witnessed this division in my peers, and I fear that students will not have the necessary civil discourse skills going into college.
Primary Goals
Help bridge divides - not by papering over those divides but by helping high school students have “better arguments.” In this sense, arguments don’t drive us apart. It allows students to cultivate a love of and the skills for listening and communicating across differences.
Core Values
First, dialogue is a skill that can be learned and must be practiced (and not a spectator sport). Second, expressive freedom is necessary for dialogue, but the real work is in collaborative inquiry, listening, and learning. To combat polarization and intolerance, BridgeBuilders seeks to promote compassionate, respectful, and constructive conversations on challenging issues.
Mission
Our mission is to have as many high school students attend a discussion and learn. By being exposed to the BridgeBuilders methodology, we aspire for these students to be better prepared for contentious issues after graduating high school.
Meeting Handouts
Introduction
5 Principals to a Better Argument
3 Dimensions of Arguing
We believe that American civic life doesn’t need fewer arguments; it needs Better Arguments. This meeting is designed to help foster a conversation that prompts participants to engage one another directly about differences in opinions, beliefs, and experiences related to the discussion topic. In offering this Better Argument, our goal is
We believe that American civic life doesn’t need fewer arguments; it needs Better Arguments. This meeting is designed to help foster a conversation that prompts participants to engage one another directly about differences in opinions, beliefs, and experiences related to the discussion topic. In offering this Better Argument, our goal is not necessarily for you and your fellow participants to change your minds about a topic. Rather, we hope that every participant gains additional nuance and increased understanding of the many ways that the topic manifests itself. In turn, we aim for participants to be able to rely less on one side of the narrative and instead to be able to navigate issues based on the insights gained from diverse perspectives. In this sense, arguments don’t have to drive us apart. Better Arguments can bring us together.
3 Dimensions of Arguing
5 Principals to a Better Argument
3 Dimensions of Arguing
HISTORY
Today’s civic arguments are rooted in a historical context. Remember, arguments—being able to reckon with differences and forge joint paths forward—are critical to a healthy American civic life. Today’s civic and political debates are rooted in our history, and many of them can be boiled down to a finite number fundamentally Ameri
HISTORY
Today’s civic arguments are rooted in a historical context. Remember, arguments—being able to reckon with differences and forge joint paths forward—are critical to a healthy American civic life. Today’s civic and political debates are rooted in our history, and many of them can be boiled down to a finite number fundamentally American tensions such as liberty versus equality that require constant negotiation.
EMOTION
A Better Argument is one in which all participants use emotional intelligence. This means that each party must seek to understand why the other party is taking a certain stance—rather than negating that party’s point of view. Each side must step up to take responsibility for its own piece of the issue to create a new, more productive cycle.
POWER
A Better Argument requires being honest about power. In many spaces of civil discourse, participants do not enter as equals; they enter reckoning with imbalances. These inherited inequalities need to be named before a Better Argument can take place. An important part of the Better Arguments process will be to account for these realities.
5 Principals to a Better Argument
5 Principals to a Better Argument
5 Principals to a Better Argument
TAKE WINNING OFF THE TABLE - Conventionally, parties enter an argument with a goal of winning—or at least reaching resolution. Instead, the goal of a Better Argument should be framed as reaching deeper insights, developing more nuanced understanding, and relying less on assumptions.
PRIORITIZE RELATIONSHIPS AND LISTEN PASSIONATELY - A Bet
TAKE WINNING OFF THE TABLE - Conventionally, parties enter an argument with a goal of winning—or at least reaching resolution. Instead, the goal of a Better Argument should be framed as reaching deeper insights, developing more nuanced understanding, and relying less on assumptions.
PRIORITIZE RELATIONSHIPS AND LISTEN PASSIONATELY - A Better Argument foregrounds relationship and requires that all parties are truly listening to one another. Participants should listen to learn, not to win.
PAY ATTENTION TO CONTEXT - A Better Argument acknowledges the complex realities surrounding any debate, including cultural context. Understanding these realities makes an argument more accessible. Any Better Argument should begin with specific questions that help establish a shared understanding of the context in which participants are entering the conversation.
EMBRACE VULNERABILITY - In civic life today, many Americans engage only with circles that confirm their own worldviews. One major reason why this withdrawal occurs is because entering a space of argument means making yourself vulnerable. At the Better Arguments Project, we commend your willingness to take this risk, and we believe that when one person takes the leap, others will follow.
MAKE ROOM TO TRANSFORM - A Better Argument is a transformational experience for all involved. Because it does not aim to win or reach resolution, the goal of a Better Argument becomes simply about changing how we engage with one another in order to build a community.