10 - 12 years: Basics of Argumentation and Persuasion

Discover Your Hidden Potential: The Basics of Argumentation and Persuasion

In today's world, where opinions and ideas are constantly in motion, the ability to argue and persuade is key. Whether it's school debates, conversations with friends, or expressing your opinion on social media, having strong argumentative skills will help you succeed in many areas of life. If you are between the ages of 10 and 12, this is the ideal time to start developing these important skills. Let's look at the basics of argumentation and persuasion that will open the doors to your personal and professional growth.

Why is Argumentation Important?

Argumentation is not just about convincing someone of your opinion, but also about developing critical thinking. It helps you:

Express your opinions clearly and accurately.
Understand different perspectives and ideas.
Develop the ability to analyze and evaluate information.
Build confidence when speaking in public.
Improve your communication skills.

The Basics of Argumentation

To become a good arguer, it's important to master a few basic steps:

Choose a topic: Select a topic you are interested in and want to discuss. It could be something like "Why should schools focus on sports?"
Do your research: Gather information and facts that support your opinion. Credible sources are key.
Formulate your opinion: Clearly and concisely state what you think. For example: "I believe that sports should be part of education because it improves health and teamwork."
Present evidence: Support your opinion with specific facts, statistics, or stories that show why your opinion is correct.
Be open to discussion: Listen to others' opinions and respond to them. Argumentation is about dialogue, not monologue.

Persuasion: The Art of Influencing Others

Persuasion is not just about making someone believe you. It is the ability to motivate and inspire others. Here are some techniques that will help you:

Build a connection: Be empathetic and try to understand the other side's perspective.
Use examples: Tell stories that demonstrate your opinion in practice.
Be persuasive: Use clear language and express your thoughts with conviction.

Conclusion: Discover Your Potential!

Developing argumentative and persuasive skills is a pathway to discovering your hidden potential. These skills will help you not only in school but also in your personal and professional life. Start with small steps, practice, and don't be afraid to express your opinions. The more you try, the stronger you will become in argumentation and persuasion. Discover your potential and become a voice that others listen to!

Get personalized recommendations for your growth – choose your answers

Imagine that your friend insists that the best food in the world is something you don't like. How would you react? I would try to explain to him why I think differently, but I would respect his opinion.
I would say that he has bad taste, and I would try to convince him that my favorite food is better.
I would change the topic because it doesn't matter.
I would ask him why he thinks that, and I might consider his opinion.
I would nod even though I don't think so, to avoid an argument.

If you had to convince someone to join your group for a school project, how would you do it? I would explain to him the advantages he would gain if he joined.
I would say that the others in the group already want him and expect his participation.
I would offer him something in exchange, for example, help with homework.
I would let him decide for himself and wouldn't make a bigger deal out of it.
I would try to convince him by saying that everyone else already agrees.

Imagine that you want to convince your parents to let you sleep over at a friend's house. What would you do? I would prepare a list of reasons why it's a good idea.
I would tell them that everyone else can and that it is unfair.
I would try to win them over by doing something they wanted from me beforehand.
I would wait for the right moment when they are in a good mood.
I would tell them that if they don't allow me, I will be very disappointed.

If you had to convince a classmate to help you with an assignment, how would you do it? I would say that he is very good in the subject and that his help would be very beneficial to me.
I would suggest that if he helps me now, I will help him another time.
I would try to make it clear to him that he would be a bad friend if he didn't do it.
I would ask him if he could give me a little advice, and I wouldn’t force him.
I would ask someone else if they seemed unwilling.

Imagine you have a new classmate who is shy. How would you persuade her to join a group game? I would tell her that the game is really fun and that she will enjoy it.
I would ask her if she wants to join, but I would leave the decision up to her.
I would suggest that it would be strange if she remained sitting alone.
I would suggest that she first just watch and then decide.
I wouldn't want to push her, but I would try to motivate her by showing her how much fun everyone is having.

If you wanted the teacher to adjust the rules in the classroom according to your suggestion, what would you do? I would prepare good arguments for why my proposal is better.
I would say that most of the class agrees with me.
I would try to find a way to show that my proposal will help everyone.
I would explain that other classes already have similar rules.
I would try to convince the teacher that it is advantageous for him as well.

If you had to convince someone to trust you, how would you do it? I would show him that he can rely on me in small matters.
I would tell him that trust is important and he should trust me.
I would try to act in a way that he/she sees that I am sincere.
I would ask him why he doesn't trust me and try to fix it.
I would be careful not to lie to him, even in small things.

If you had to convince someone that your favorite movie is really good, how would you do it? I would tell him what the reviews are like and why it is popular.
I would describe to him the best scene in a way that would capture his interest.
I would try to explain to him how I feel when I look at him.
I would suggest that we watch it together so you can form your own opinion.
I wouldn't want to force him, but I would give him a reason why it's worth watching.

Imagine you have to explain to your younger sibling why it's important to follow rules. How would you do it? I would give him an example of a situation where the rules were broken and something bad resulted from it.
I would tell him that rules exist to protect and ensure safety.
I would ask him what he thinks about the rules and try to explain their significance to him.
I would suggest that if the rules are not followed, there may be problems.
I would show him how following the rules can help him in everyday life.

If you had to convince someone who thinks the opposite of you, how would you do it? First, I would try to understand his opinion, and then I would explain my perspective to him.
I would try to find common points on which we agree.
I would use facts and examples that support my opinion.
I wouldn't want to force him, but I would give him space to think about my arguments.
I would tell him that we don't have to agree, but we can exchange views.