With what degree of confidence do people express their beliefs? To state the facts is what one who wants to get to the truth strives for. The article below will reveal the meaning of the statement and give practical advice from psychologists on how to convincingly argue your position.
What is stating?
Often in a dispute you need to convince your opponent that you are right. To do this, you need to be confident in the truth of your judgments, and even better, provide an objective argument to your judgments. Firmly establish any position. At the same time, to state objective events and describe phenomena recognized by society means stating facts.
The peculiarity of such a presentation of information is the absence of its “coloring” in one or another emotion. What does it mean? A statement is a presentation of "dry" information without expressing a subjective attitude to its content. The knowledge of the area in which the discussion is being conducted allows a person to appeal with facts. However, sometimes the simple confidence in communication, as well as the use of phrases such as “everyone knows …”, helps to look convincing.“the generally accepted fact is…”, “there is no doubt that…” and other phrases that help to start a convincing argument.
Etymology of the word
Statement - a word derived from the French "constater" - to establish, to assert. Indeed, to state a fact is to affirm a judgment. In some cases, make it public. However, the statement of information does not always lead to its public approval and recognition. Just look at the pages of history. So, for example, for adherence to heliocentrism and stating the fact of the Earth's rotation around the Sun, researcher Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake.
Usage examples
This word can be used in scientific, journalistic, artistic and other texts. For example: “The field officer stated the death of his comrade” or “And you look bad today,” Ivan Vasilievich stated.
Ascertain - a word that is more common in official business texts, news bulletins, expert opinions. However, the authors of literary texts resort to using this, not always appropriate, word to emphasize the importance of the dialogue between the characters, to establish an official business atmosphere of the story.
Convincing others
In order for others to listen to your speech with interest, to believe you, it is not enough just to state. A synonym for this word is to call, to convince. The more factual information in your speech, the more credibility you will inspire, even if the facts are not completelyreliable. There are a number of recommendations that psychologists advise to apply in order to gain confidence during public speaking, including when arguing your own opinion.
Use Body language
Use "body language" is the main advice of psychologists. Experts are convinced that gestures, as well as intonations, can influence the perception of listeners and interlocutors.
Also, experts strongly discourage the use of distractions that people usually use to relieve tension. This can be active walking back and forth during a monologue, shaking your arms or legs, twisting your hair. Anything that can distract the interlocutor from the topic of the dialogue harms your persuasiveness.
A straight back is something to strive for, not only during public speaking. Good posture improves the speaker's inner concentration, and also attracts the attention of the listeners, reduces the speaker's fatigue level and helps to maintain intonation.
Eye contact
In order to communicate convincingly, to state the facts that require understanding of the interlocutor, it is necessary to keep eye contact with the opponent. This does not mean at all that the person opposite needs to be drilled with a look. On the contrary, focusing on certain words in your speech, you should see the reaction to these words in the listener's facial expression, keep in touch with him. Therefore, try to periodically catch the eye of your listeners, communicate with them through visualcontact.
Intonation
It is intonation that allows you to color the speech that others perceive by ear. Make sound accents at important places in your speech, help yourself with gestures, and then your persuasiveness will increase. It is not at all necessary to overlap or tear the vocal cords. Take short pauses during which you can take a deep breath and continue your persuasive story. This technique also helps to focus and gives the brain the necessary portion of oxygen at a critical moment in public speaking.
Fill in the gaps
The main enemy of persuasiveness is long vowels, which are usually used to fill the pauses between words. It is important to remember that the use of parasitic words does not decorate our speech and does not give it individuality, but, on the contrary, irritates listeners. This may cause a failed dialogue. In most cases, it's better to remain silent than to say a long "uh".