All-or-Nothing Thinking, also thought of as Black-and-White or Zero-Sum Thinking, comes from the idea that one "side" is right, or the winner, meaning the "other side" is wrong, or the loser. This type of thinking also usually involves absolute thinking, such as never or always, and creates a difficulty to see any alternatives in a situation or the availability of various solutions. The cognitive bias known as zero-sum bias teaches people that someone's win is directly related to someone else's loss; it creates a competition mindset and tends to blind people's thinking. When writing a paper or giving a speech on a controversial topic you must be aware of the Zero-Sum or All-or-Nothing mindset and make sure you allow for a more thorough exploration of your topic.
As a child in the 1970s, I faced challenges with reading and spelling. After being tested by the school, I was diagnosed with Dyslexia, yet at the same time, I tested with a high I.Q, qualifying me for the gifted and talented program. However, the school's all-or-nothing mentality created a dilemma: I couldn't be both struggling in reading therefor a poor student and smart enough for the gifted program. I was allowed to only take advantage of ONE program. My mother was forced to decide which path I would follow. Fortunately, she was an early childhood growth and development teacher and believed that the Montessori-style program within the gifted curriculum would benefit me the most. This program taught me various ways to study and express myself. For instance, rather than writing a paper on the Trojan War, I built a model of a Trojan horse and explained the concept verbally. Research now shows that many individuals with Dyslexia can be both poor readers and exceptionally intelligent. This raises questions about the implications of labeling individuals as having a "disability" and whether that is beneficial or detrimental. I carried my diagnosis throughout college, informing my professors of my condition to "warn" them. However, in one general education class, I chose not to disclose my diagnosis, and I was pleasantly surprised to perform well without revealing that I was "different." This led me to wonder if my own labeling had been a barrier to my success.
Opposing Viewpoints and Points of View Reference are both databases that can help you see other sides of arguments. Both of these databases are not favored by professors because they rely on opinions and personal views. If you find yourself unable to see other sides of an issue, that is what these databases are good for, not research but helping you to define various sides of a topic.
Like many polarizing topics, zoos have people who love them or hate them. Usually, there are also those who like zoos and see their benefits when done well and dislike poorly run zoos. Is there a difference between the Tiger King Joe Exotic and the San Diago Zoological Park? Finding this middle ground is often the best way to navigate through a topic to look past the all-or-nothing attitude.
This guide offers places to find topic ideas and start your research. There is a page dedicated to controversial topics
Conversations surrounding issues like child labor can quickly lead to an all-or-nothing perspective if you simply think, "all child labor is bad." When you find yourself in this mindset, it's important to dissect the different facets of the topic. For example, how do you define "child"? In our country, the legal voting age is typically 18, 21 for legal drinking, and sometimes 16 for driving. However, these age thresholds differ around the world; in many regions, you must be at least 18 to drive. In Lebanon and Iraq, girls can legally marry at just 9 years old, which means they could take on the role of heads of households at such a young age. Generally, the minimum working age worldwide is 13, although in Sri Lanka, it can be as low as 10. In Hawaii, children can engage in coffee harvesting starting at age 10, while in Oregon, with parental consent, 9-year-olds can work picking berries or beans. Many children begin working early in various jobs to support their families financially. Should this be a factor in your considerations? Therefore, if your position is against all child labor, it is essential to specify an age, consider the nature of the work involved, acknowledge global variations, and incorporate these elements into your argument.
When writing about a controversial topic try to look at all the different things people are saying "They" do. Immigration, for example, has many different elements and they are often in opposition to each other. Look for research that addresses each side of the argument. You may do a search for articles that discuss the idea that immigrants take jobs away from Americans and also find that studies show they tend to do work Americans will not do. Some think they are all criminals while others feel they offer diversity and increase our living standards.
Some topics use words that carry certain ingrained attitudes and beliefs. Suicide, for example, has a negative religious and social stigma that surrounds it so using alternative language can help you to alter your discussion about a topic. Choosing instead to use "right to die" or "dying with dignity" or even euthanasia as ways to describe assisted suicide are ways to steer your audience toward or away from your argument. Often there are many shades of gray when looking at a topic and all of your arguments may be on the same side but vary by definition. There are slight and legal differences between assisted suicide, assisted dying, and euthanasia and often it is in the definition of the topic where you can make your argument.
