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Steelman

Three short lessons on the oldest rule of a fair argument: say the other side back until they nod, find what you agree on, and only then answer. A parlour game for two chairs.

For grown-ups, from what DebateForge teaches children at Spark & Anvil.

  1. Lesson 1Say it back until they nod
  2. Lesson 2Find the shared ground
  3. Lesson 3Then answer
At the table · two people, 12 or older, and anyone who wants to watch

Two chairs, one question

You'll need: two chairs facing each other and a question you honestly disagree on.

  1. Pick a small, real disagreement: a house rule, a film, where to go on holiday.
  2. One person says their view in under a minute. The other says it back until they get the nod.
  3. The listener names one point they agree with and one thing they learned.
  4. Only then does the listener answer. Swap chairs and do it the other way round.

Print the guidebook (all lessons + the table activity) →