In a debate, while the other person is speaking, the listener should jot down notes about what the speaker is saying. write out a counterclaim to state in response. move around and try to distract the speaker. use the time to visualize winning the debate.

the listener should jot down notes about what the speaker is saying.

In a debate, one of the worst thing the listener can do while the speaker speaks is to try to come up with counterclaims to win the debate. While this seems counter-intuitive, focusing on giving an answer often means the listener is not paying attention to the speaker, and analyzing his points properly. It is also unfair to try to distract the speaker by moving around or being disruptive. The correct thing to do is to pay attention and take notes. This way, you can really listen to the speaker and understand what he is saying.

in the quotation from passage, connie willis states that literature is a way for authors from the past to communicate with readers of today. we can read their stories, books, and other texts to learn lessons about life. willis refers to these lessons as messages “from beyond the grave.” willis has a favorable viewpoint about the timelessness of literature.