Blogger: Mary Keeley
How could anyone stateside miss the US federal and state mid-term election that was held two days ago. Lots of controversy surrounded debates and races, and I’m fairly confident none of you misses the barrage of negative campaign ads. Now is a good time to address tackling controversial topics in positive ways, while those combatant ads still are fresh in our minds.
You might be feeling a little squeamish about broaching this topic. Most writers and bloggers would prefer to avoid polarizing subjects because we want to be popular, and we certainly don’t want to lose followers or readers. But the truth is people love controversy. You only have to think about the newsy items your eyes are drawn to when your browser pops up on your screen for confirmation.
You’re going to be confronted with conflicting views at some point, either from comments on your blog or with your social media followers. Someday you also may have to defend the faith you weave into your books. Applying some or all of the following tips, depending on the circumstance, will help you deal with controversial subjects well.
- Use a journalistic approach. Ease into your discussion by presenting both sides of the conflict evenly and without bias. Your readers will sense you are fair and trustworthy. Draw your conclusion from the abundance of facts and data your provide.
- Offer thought-provoking insight. Approach the topic from a different angle or by using an anecdote or your personal expertise on the subject to prompt readers to view the controversy from a perspective they may not have thought of before.
- Paint opposing views in a positive light as much as possible. It shows you are respectful of others’ views. Readers will want to continue reading what you have to say.
- Be the voice of reason. In other words, don’t approach the topic with your gloves on, ready to put down any opposing view in a split second. You may be absolutely sure your position is the right one, but approaching a delicate subject with an authoritative, my-way-or-the-highway attitude will cause you to lose followers. They may want to glean from your knowledge and information on the subject, but you’ll lose them if you are unreasonable in your delivery. Openly show respect for your readers’ intelligence.
- Humor eases tension. A witty comment that pokes a little fun at the whole topic often serves to reduce the stress of the moment. But be sure the object of your fun relates to the topic and not those holding the opposing view.
Obviously, if you are trying to win your readers over to your view, you first need to be able articulate your view clearly and knowledgeably. Study and research and know the facts for your side of the argument, but also learn the basis for opposing views before you address the topic in your writing so you’ll be ready to give a compelling response to their comments.
If you have found yourself in the midst of a discussion on a controversial topic on your blog or social media or in response to something in your book, how did it go? What do you dread about approaching a controversial topic on your blog and social media or in your book?
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Haven’t really had that experience while blogging, even though I did open some topics I thought might be controversial on my blogs.
The reason is probably that I write on a focused topic (Christian marriage), and have been doing so for a while now. People know what to expect, and as long as I don’t do something like promoting bigamy, they’ll listen, with or without comment, and they won’t leave. It’s a matter of trust, and consistency of message.
I did run into it with the story, “Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart”. Because it involves a ghost (well, several), a relative-by-marriage suggested that my turn to necromancy did not become the family reputation.
My retort was that the ghosts were a narrative device to pull the story forward and encourage the protagonist’s introspection, and that it was a STORY, for Pete’s sake, with as much reality as talking lions or Klingons. (“The Lion, the Witch, and the Battle for Kronos” is in outline stage.)
He did not deign to reply, and severed contact with me..and thus was I introduced to a particular corner of religious orthodoxy.
But it was the only negative comment I received, and by his own admission he finished the thing in one sitting, so I guess I came out ahead, at least in a literary sense.
I’d never introduce controversy for its own sake, because I believe it’s impolite to hit people just to see how they react. But I certainly won’t shy away from it if it’s part of the story.
“Emerald Isle” includes abortion, the IRA, and Catholicism…all pretty controversial within the evangelical world. (Yes, the IRA, not the IRS…I didn’t want to deal with REAL evil.)
And my WIP, “The Last Indian War”, has a multitude of whack-a-mole-like controversies popping up…beginning with the title, which does not refer to residents of the Asian subcontinent of that name.
And – last thing, I promise – you’re right about taking a journalistic approach. I recently read a history of an aspect of the Pacific War in which the author pilloried the performance of Frank Jack Fletcher’s command of American carrier forces in the war’s first year.
The time during which Adm. Fletcher was in active command was not central to the narrative, and his actions were certainly controversial (though I tend to feel correct), but the author’s tone grew so snide and strident that I got disgusted, and abandoned the book.
I felt that the author broke the implied bargain he made with me, that in writing a history he would be dispassionate, and fair.
Thanks for those great examples, Andrew. Those previous experiences and your wealth of knowledge equip you to respond reasonably with compelling facts. Has it become easier for you to be that voice of reason the more times you’re involved in these kinds of discussions?
That’s an excellent question, and I had to give it some thought.
Certainly, graciousness in conversation is a habit, and a skill which can be learned, just as one can learn to restrain the urge to lash out, even in the presence of strong emotion.
I suspect that there is also a genetic component (albeit one that I have nurtured). As an Asian largely raised in a Western environment, I was always different, and that difference included a distaste for the in-your-face paradigm that became popular over my lifetime.
While I certainly have the skills to be decisively confrontational in certain situations, I see no need for confrontation and controversy in public and private discourse. If reason does not prevail, shouted imprecations certainly won’t. No one’s mind was ever changed by public revilement and humiliation.
It seems, from where I stand, that the West’s often rough-and-tumble exchange of ideas often brings the most virile, and not the best or most beneficial, to the top. This seems very prevalent in the controversies that erupt between Christian denominations.
It’s an oddly Darwinian model, which irony is not lost on the astute observer.
How a writer tackles a controversial subject is often what makes me end up respecting them and tossing their book. I remember reading a book on sleep habits for babies when my little ones weren’t sleeping. I was interested to hear some suggestions and open to new ideas, but the hardnosed “my way or the highway” style that the author used to relay the information made me furious. I ended up using info from his book, but not being able to recommend it to anyone without mentioning “He’s kind of a jerk” take the info you like and don’t let him browbeat you. I had the same experience with a writing book on outlining. I used some of the author’s info, but he spent so much time trying to force the reader to take up his views rather than giving out new info, that I never finished the book, even though I agreed with some of what he said. So for me, you need to be gracious and respectful in how you express your opinion or I am likely to throw out your book.
Ha ha, it is “respecting them OR Tossing their book” oops.
Kristen, thanks for offering concrete examples that support the need to be respectful of readers and opposing views when addressing something controversial. It takes setting a deliberate mindset to maintain a fair and reasonable tone.
I think I read that book, and it absolutely contradicted every piece of advice I’d read in the book I’d read just before.
I threw out both books, and consoled myself with the fact that whatever I did, some “expert” would say I was 100% right, and another would say I was 100% wrong.
So I decided to follow good old-fashioned gut instinct. I suspect sometimes the same is true in writing …
I have never really been in the middle of public controversy through writing. And I’ve only written one blog post that I thought might spark it … on girls and modesty. The page views are still filtering in on that post which blesses my heart tremendously.
But I have received controversial comments in person from a few relatives over homeschooling, my writing topics … when people don’t understand, I listen and then I briefly explain that I felt the Lord leading me that direction. And that usually halts the discussion. 🙂
What do I dread about approaching a controversial topic? That I get terrified and nervous … trembling and a sickness at my stomach … 🙂
Shelli, I hear you. You aren’t alone in your dread of controversial topics. But as our world and culture are becoming more polarized, the chances we’ll be pressed into such a discussion become greater, and we need to be ready. I hope these tips will help all of us. This verse in 1 Peter is ringing in my ears:
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
I love that verse, Mary … “gentleness and respect.”
I don’t like controversy! 🙂 But, I know it’s a part of life—both real life and writing life. Your suggestions for handling it make a lot of sense, and they respect the reader/listener which is imperative when conveying controversial ideas. I really like your suggestion to present both sides as objectively as possible. When I feel passionately about something, this can be hard to do,but it’s essential if I want people to actually listen.
I haven’t faced a lot of controversy in real life or writing life. But, listening to others without interrupting them to present my opinions has helped in times when I’ve faced it.
Jeanne, that’s an excellent point. When in a verbal conversation about a controversial topic, it’s so important to not interrupt the other person. We may even win over our viewers and/or listeners to our point of view as a result of our respectful decorum.
Good tips, Mary! I HATE controversy, though, yes, it’s sometimes unavoidable. As Christians, I think it’s important that we’re respectful of other people’s views whether we’re the writer or the reader. I notice, especially online, how people are quick to view opposing thoughts as personal attacks against themselves. I think it’s important to rein in that automatic response and behave in ways that reflect well on Christ.
Amen, Jennifer. We need to keep in mind that whatever the controversial topic is, we are reflections of Christ. This should direct not only what we say in response, but also how we respond. You hit on a key factor that we need to retrain our natural instinct and not see opposing views as personal attacks on us and our views.
If only each and every journalist, blogger, and commenter could read and FOLLOW these recommendations! The world would be a much better place.
I second that motion, Sarah! Let’s add “Facebooker” to your list, too.
I regularly see Facebook updates from authors who are so passionate about their politics that they post 5-second video snippets of politicians making statements that have been taken out of context.
My opinion of these authors plummets because I sense they are running on emotion and they aren’t willing to listen to other points of view.
I love Mary’s fourth point: Be the voice of reason.
Amen and amen!! Or just posts that insult politicians – not their policies, but their persons. If we bristle when people insult “our” candidates, we shouldn’t insult theirs. Common courtesy and respect.
Sarah, it does appear that civility has become highly undervalued. But this presents an opportunity for us as Christians to shine our light.
Sage advice. I sometimes avoid saying things that I know deep inside need to be said, because of my dislike of making anyone angry or upset. But staying too “nice for the sake of nice” doesn’t do anyone any good, and can be boring besides. I can see how following your tips will lessen the likelihood of a topic bursting into flames.
Jennifer, I agree and know about that which you speak. What we “know deep inside that need[s] to be said” could very well be God’s prompting. It’s important to not ignore that. Handled well, the blog post or comment on social media may garner lots of interesting conversation, whereas avoiding the controversy could result in very little engagement.
I blog about political issues from time to time, not on my writing career blog, but on my general blog (covering life, liberty, and the pursuit of topics that interest me). In fact, on Monday I made a prediction post about the election just passed:
http://davidatodd.blogspot.com/2014/11/election-predictions.html
And then today I blogged about how I did on those predictions.
http://davidatodd.blogspot.com/2014/11/how-my-predictions-worked-out.html
I’ve never had much readership, so for all I know I’m mainly arguing with myself. The only thing I dread with what I call “message writing” is that my writing won’t stack up, and that my words will detract from the message.
Thank you for your list of good points, Mary, and everyone else for their comments. I dislike controversy intensely and would love to avoid it. It’s helpful for you to point out that it is inevitable, especially as we interact with the public. My WIP deals with a highly flammable area – the Middle East – and contemplating publication makes me anxious even now. I know I am better able to respond well if I concentrate on respecting the person I’m addressing and not taking opinions personally.
That iS the key, Betsy, and something for all of us to remember.
It helps to double check your own resources, particularly on a controversial subject. While writing about Navy SEALS, I took the Public Affair’s Officer hard statistic about divorce rates and used it in my book. I didn’t double check it–it came from an authority.
When the book was released, a newspaper editor in Coronado black balled me because of that stat, “I’d never print that in my paper.”
I double checked then, and found the divorce rate ran 10-15% what I’d used, to 5% over; thus I was in the ball park, but probably should have gone with the lower number.
All those numbers were horrifying, btw.
A special forces wife told me later my number was matched by her experience over 20 years in special forces–they had no friends from the beginning that were still married.
But, my damage was done, so I went back to my website and wrote about all the ways the military has tried to combat those high divorce rates, providing links and other resources for those who might be in a difficult military marriage.
When all was said and done, I’m sorry I used the higher number, but I think providing additional resources actually was a benefit.
So, check and double check. And remember that while journalists are taught to be unbiased, we’ve all got biases. The trick is to be respectful of other peoples’ opinions, even when you disagree. My editors used to say, “you can have an opinion, but until you are able to articulate the other side’s viewpoint intelligently, you shouldn’t write the article.”
Important topic, Mary, thanks for discussing. (Michelle returns to reposting and retweeting, where she can’t possibly get into trouble, right?)
I’ve decided to not contribute to this posting.
My comments might be construed as too controversial.
Then again . . . some may find them humorous because “comedy is simply a funny way of being serious.”
I’ve been traveling all day and therefore missed this discussion. Bummer.
Great words, people. And wonderful wisdom, Mary. Thank you.