Talking Points
Arguments & Conversation Guides for Productive Political Dialogue
Move beyond shouting past each other—these talking points help you find common ground, ask better questions, and have conversations that actually go somewhere
How to Use These Talking Points
Find Common Ground
Start with what you agree on. Most topics have shared values buried under partisan talking points.
Ask Questions
Use the bridging questions to move from "my side vs. your side" to "how do we solve this together?"
Reframe
Reject false dichotomies. The "productive framing" shows how to escape unproductive arguments.
Ground Rules for Productive Conversations
✅ DO
- →Ask genuine questions to understand, not to trap
- →Acknowledge valid points from the other side
- →Focus on specific policies, not character attacks
- →Look for win-win solutions
- →Be willing to say "I don't know" or "That's a good point"
❌ DON'T
- →Assume bad faith or question motives
- →Use labels like "socialist," "fascist," "snowflake," or "deplorable"
- →Whataboutism or changing the subject when challenged
- →Treat politics like team sports
- →Expect to "win" the conversation
Ready to Have Better Conversations?
These talking points are starting points, not scripts. Adapt them to your conversations. The goal isn't to convert everyone to your view—it's to find common ground and make progress.
Democracy requires citizens who can disagree productively. Let's prove it's still possible.