The argument presented in the prompt assumes that the objective of a discussion of controversial topics is to change someone’s core beliefs. On the contrary, a discussion is, at its core, an open exchange of information in which both parties have the opportunity to express their respective opinions and listen to opposing views. Discussions are both teaching and learning opportunities in which one’s core beliefs may be challenged, but not necessarily changed.
1
However, the opportunity to hear an opposing point of view allows someone to fully explore whether or not they have considered all facets of not only their beliefs, as they relate to the topic being discussed, but also their belief system. By engaging with another person with the objective of changing their beliefs, a person is not engaging in a discussion at all. In fact, one could characterize that as a lecture. Furthermore, core beliefs are built over time through experiences, such as discussions with those that we disagree with. Therefore, people can and do change their beliefs.
The author of the prompt fails to recognize a discussion as an opportunity to both teach and learn. To accomplish this, one must be open-minded and willing to fully engage in the discussion. Often, it takes an opposing view to force oneself to examine the essence of their beliefs. Many beliefs are built as an emotional response to a situation, rather than a logical interpretation of the complexities surrounding the issue. In an open discussion with respectful parties, one can begin to unravel their beliefs and logically examine them on their merits. In doing so, you also allow your belief system to be challenged, which can catalyze a re-examination of your beliefs and the experiences that shaped those beliefs, allowing you to understand your thought-process before committing to an idea or feeling.
2
Whether or not a person with a contrasting view changes their mind is of no consequence. If you avoid conversations with those that have contrasting views, then you are susceptible to surrounding yourself with only those people that agree with you. By doing so, you forego the benefits of an open discussion and may create an environment conducive to “groupthink”. Groupthink is an environment in which individuals surround themselves with only those people that agree with their views.
3
Any individuals that disagree with the group consensus are ultimately shunned. Groups that suffer from groupthink fail to see the validity in contrasting views and can end up escalating their commitment to an unhealthy or unproductive goal because their objectives are never challenged.
Unfortunately, it is evident that the author of the prompt sees the objective of a discussion as an opportunity to change someone’s core beliefs. That is not the case. In fact, that viewpoint contradicts the true nature of a discussion and fails to see the benefits of engaging with someone with contrasting views.
- Discussing controversial topics with those with contrasting views is not useful because very few people change their mind when questioned about their core beliefs 66
- Discussing controversial topics with those with contrasting views is not useful because very few people change their mind when questioned about their core beliefs 65
- Science and technology will one day be able to solve all of society s problems 50
Grammar and spelling errors:
Line 3, column 93, Rule ID: WHETHER[7]
Message: Perhaps you can shorten this phrase to just 'whether'. It is correct though if you mean 'regardless of whether'.
Suggestion: whether
...of view allows someone to fully explore whether or not they have considered all facets of not ...
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Line 9, column 1, Rule ID: SENTENCE_FRAGMENT[1]
Message: “Whether” at the beginning of a sentence requires a 2nd clause. Maybe a comma, question or exclamation mark is missing, or the sentence is incomplete and should be joined with the following sentence.
...mmitting to an idea or feeling. 2 Whether or not a person with a contrasting view...
^^^^^^^
Line 9, column 1, Rule ID: WHETHER[7]
Message: Perhaps you can shorten this phrase to just 'Whether'. It is correct though if you mean 'regardless of whether'.
Suggestion: Whether
...mmitting to an idea or feeling. 2 Whether or not a person with a contrasting view change...
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Transition Words or Phrases used:
also, but, furthermore, however, if, may, so, then, therefore, in contrast, in fact, such as, on the contrary
Attributes: Values AverageValues Percentages(Values/AverageValues)% => Comments
Performance on Part of Speech:
To be verbs : 17.0 19.5258426966 87% => OK
Auxiliary verbs: 8.0 12.4196629213 64% => OK
Conjunction : 16.0 14.8657303371 108% => OK
Relative clauses : 16.0 11.3162921348 141% => OK
Pronoun: 49.0 33.0505617978 148% => Less pronouns wanted
Preposition: 75.0 58.6224719101 128% => OK
Nominalization: 10.0 12.9106741573 77% => OK
Performance on vocabulary words:
No of characters: 2512.0 2235.4752809 112% => OK
No of words: 479.0 442.535393258 108% => OK
Chars per words: 5.24425887265 5.05705443957 104% => OK
Fourth root words length: 4.67825486995 4.55969084622 103% => OK
Word Length SD: 3.12406767138 2.79657885939 112% => OK
Unique words: 219.0 215.323595506 102% => OK
Unique words percentage: 0.457202505219 0.4932671777 93% => More unique words wanted or less content wanted.
syllable_count: 772.2 704.065955056 110% => OK
avg_syllables_per_word: 1.6 1.59117977528 101% => OK
A sentence (or a clause, phrase) starts by:
Pronoun: 6.0 6.24550561798 96% => OK
Article: 6.0 4.99550561798 120% => OK
Subordination: 2.0 3.10617977528 64% => OK
Conjunction: 2.0 1.77640449438 113% => OK
Preposition: 9.0 4.38483146067 205% => Less preposition wanted as sentence beginnings.
Performance on sentences:
How many sentences: 23.0 20.2370786517 114% => OK
Sentence length: 20.0 23.0359550562 87% => OK
Sentence length SD: 55.6743162473 60.3974514979 92% => OK
Chars per sentence: 109.217391304 118.986275619 92% => OK
Words per sentence: 20.8260869565 23.4991977007 89% => OK
Discourse Markers: 4.73913043478 5.21951772744 91% => OK
Paragraphs: 6.0 4.97078651685 121% => OK
Language errors: 3.0 7.80617977528 38% => OK
Sentences with positive sentiment : 13.0 10.2758426966 127% => OK
Sentences with negative sentiment : 5.0 5.13820224719 97% => OK
Sentences with neutral sentiment: 5.0 4.83258426966 103% => OK
What are sentences with positive/Negative/neutral sentiment?
Coherence and Cohesion:
Essay topic to essay body coherence: 0.395341520681 0.243740707755 162% => OK
Sentence topic coherence: 0.125507025182 0.0831039109588 151% => OK
Sentence topic coherence SD: 0.0900704952628 0.0758088955206 119% => OK
Paragraph topic coherence: 0.224068144644 0.150359130593 149% => OK
Paragraph topic coherence SD: 0.0735559139034 0.0667264976115 110% => OK
Essay readability:
automated_readability_index: 13.7 14.1392134831 97% => OK
flesch_reading_ease: 51.18 48.8420337079 105% => OK
smog_index: 8.8 7.92365168539 111% => OK
flesch_kincaid_grade: 11.1 12.1743820225 91% => OK
coleman_liau_index: 13.11 12.1639044944 108% => OK
dale_chall_readability_score: 8.32 8.38706741573 99% => OK
difficult_words: 112.0 100.480337079 111% => OK
linsear_write_formula: 14.5 11.8971910112 122% => OK
gunning_fog: 10.0 11.2143820225 89% => OK
text_standard: 14.0 11.7820224719 119% => OK
What are above readability scores?
---------------------
Rates: 66.67 out of 100
Scores by essay e-grader: 4.0 Out of 6
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Note: the e-grader does NOT examine the meaning of words and ideas. VIP users will receive further evaluations by advanced module of e-grader and human graders.