Argument, don’t put opponent on defensive

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President Donald Trump has received favorable reviews for his speech before Congress on Tuesday night. His tone was certainly less belligerent, but I don’t think he did much to persuade the Democrats to accept his arguments. It was billed as a speech to unify America and the Congress, but anyone watching could see the stark contrast between the vigorous cheering, applauding, and standing ovations from one side of the aisle and the silence if not jeering from the other side.

Granted, the Democrats may have already made up their minds, but the president could have used a better strategy. As a former high school English teacher, I tried to teach my students the difference between simply stating an opinion and stating it persuasively. The key is to show an attempt to understand the views of those who disagree with you. If you insult your opposition or show that you consider their views to be utterly ridiculous, you may feel better, but you’re not going to persuade anyone.

When the president bashed the Obama administration — especially when he characterized the Affordable Care Act as a complete disaster — he put its supporters on the defensive. Instead, he could have taken the approach that Mr. Obama had noble intentions to provide affordable health care to all Americans, but unfortunately, the policy was not workable. Had he done this, his argument may have been a little more acceptable — at least not met with such hostility. His comment that the Obama administration should have learned how to negotiate did not help his cause. I’m certain that the Democrats were displeased with his comment that he wants to end the “trivial” disagreements they have had with him.

If you attempt to see where those who oppose your view are coming from, your speech has a better chance of being effective. At least it makes compromise a possibility. MICHAEL MCGRATH

Shaler