Question

Social media is notorious for mismatches between intention and result. Someone expresses a strong opinion on social media — to a wide and often unknown audience — and that text occasions unpleasant, angry, or uncivil responses. What advice for achieving effective rhetoric would you give to those who are communicating on social media? When are risks worth the potential consequences? Use examples (both effective and ineffective ones) from various social media to illustrate your advice. Be sure to provide DETAIL and CONTEXT for each example AND explain WHY it is ineffective/effective.

Answer 1

The correct answer to this open question is the following.

The advice for achieving effective rhetoric that I would give to those who are communicating on social media is first and foremost, to be respectful, to control their emotions, and whenever they express opinions, please support them with arguments.

There are risks worth the potential consequences when you are referring to controversial issues such as politics, religion, race, or sexuality.

For example, US politics in these electoral times. If you are going to express a comment on social media, be constructive. You have all the right to criticize this politician or the other. That political party or the other. But you can express critics with respect, purpose, and arguments. There is no need to be rude and aggressive. That only reflects anger, frustration, and pain.

The same when we are talking about race. Come on, this is a delicate topic in the US at this very moment. You have the right to express yourself, but please, be part of the solution, not part of the problem. How to do this? Share smart opinions conducive to generate understanding, not to destroy other people. There are thousands out there that only destroy in anonymity. You, you are so smart and have good things and smart things to add to the social comment. So do that.