Ten Ways to Change the World in Your Twenties

    Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below. Adapted from Libuse Binder, Ten Ways to Change the World in Your Twenties At the core of any good dialogue is not the ability to talk louder than another person but rather the ability to listen calmly to diverse perspectives. You can always learn more by listening to other points of view, especially those you disagree with. Spend as much time as possible listening to what other people have to say, even when you are sure of your position. Understanding and appreciating others' positions is the first step in persuading people to accept yours. Assignment: Is listening more important than speaking when you are trying to persuade others? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.