How to approach discussions
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With whom can we have discussions?
Anyone – as long as that person is engaged and focused on your discussion! It’s important that whoever you are discussing things with isn’t distracted by other things. You should also be sure that it is somebody who is open to having a discussion.
Is there anyone with whom we cannot have discussions?
It’s not a good idea to launch into a discussion with someone you don’t know, or someone who is not expecting a conversation. Keep your discussions to people you know, and who are ready to talk. Avoid trying to discuss things with people who are busy doing something else.
When can discussions happen?
At any time! It’s important that all participants in a discussion are available to engage. Meal times are a good time to discuss things because you are likely to be having conversations naturally as you eat. You might decide to have a specific time set aside for a discussion about an interesting topic, but it’s a good idea to make sure your discussions don’t become a chore! Discussions are supposed to be fun and interesting!
How long do discussions take?
That’s entirely up to you. Often, you will find a discussion takes you in interesting directions and onto topics you might not have considered before. That’s why it’s important to have the input of a discussion partner.
How many people need to be involved?
Ideally, a discussion takes place with two people, but it’s fine to use more. If there are more than four people in a discussion, then it can be difficult to keep track of what’s going on. A discussion is difficult to have by yourself, but it is still possible if you take time to consider different points of view. See the next point for more details about this!
How can I have discussions by myself?
This can be tricky, but it’s a useful skill to master, especially when preparing for debates or written arguments. The best way to begin is to consider the question at hand, and then make sure you think about what would make people agree or disagree with it. This can be trickier with a ‘discussion’ question because there are not always clear sides to the discussion.
Let’s take an example:
The discussion point is ‘Imagine that all electricity suddenly stopped!’
First, consider different points:
What would happen?
1. The internet would stop.
What would be good about that?
What would be bad about that?
2. Phones wouldn’t work.
What would be good about that?
What would be bad about that?
3. All factories would have to stop.
What would be good about that?
What would be bad about that?
You can go through as many points as you like, but normally three or four are plenty for a discussion.
How does a discussion end?
A good discussion might never end, but it’s important to find a place to stop. You may reach a conclusion – something as simple as, “It would be a bad thing because…” or, “it would be a good thing because…” If you can’t reach a conclusion, which is difficult when discussing with others, sometimes it’s more sensible to decide on your own conclusion and end the discussion nicely with a statement such as, “I guess there’s no simple answer.” This is a perfectly acceptable end to a discussion. You may have to agree to disagree with the person or people you are talking to.
Remember, it’s important to keep discussions friendly!