Managing a discussion comes down to the proper use of verb tenses, as Aristotle established long ago. This philosopher diversified three main themes that lead to verbal escalation – blaming, values, and choice. Once the cause of the discussion is determined, it becomes easy!
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If the discussion is based on determining guilt, it is best to use the past tense. If participating in a vigorous debate related to values, the present tense will best achieve the goal, and if it is about the possibility of choice, the future tense will optimally do the job, writes Baxter Communications.
It is very important to focus on the type of discussion and the verb tense that will achieve the ultimate goal in verbal competition.
The past tense is used to determine who did something, what their guilt is, and what punishment would be most effective. The present tense is an excellent ally for uniting the audience in a certain belief, identifying with the topic, or judging whether something is good or bad. If you want to make a joint decision, focus on the future or on the type of discussion that Aristotle called ‘liberating’. Such a discussion has the most pragmatic rhetoric and is most useful in a business context.
