Let's Talk

The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, but the practice of free speech requires more than just the right to be free from censorship. To realize the First Amendment’s ideal of a robust culture of free speech, we must boldly engage with words and ideas we may find offensive, listen respectfully, and — if necessary — explain why we disagree. FIRE’s Let’s Talk program provides the right conditions for these big conversations — empowering students to talk to anyone and everyone on their campus about any and every idea.

Let’s Talk Start-Up Guide

It is essential to create spaces on our college and university campuses for healthy and productive conversations. If professors and students, who dedicate their intellectual efforts to the exploration of the world and its many complexities, cannot discuss or even disagree about difficult and uncomfortable topics, who can? FIRE’s Let’s Talk program provides you with tools to work toward a more intellectually open campus environment.

Get Started with Lets Talk

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Let's Talk Toolkits

Civil Discourse Games

Interested in sparking conversations on campus? Check out these civil discourse games, which offer a great way to launch casual discussions about difficult topics. Learn more about how you can have fun while having tough conversations.

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Cognitive Behavioral Theory for Civil Discourse

Cognitive distortions, or bad mental habits which can be gently challenged and can be disproved factually, pose obstacles to intrapersonal and interpersonal communication alike.

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Three Steps to Civil Discourse

When emotional temperatures spike, the group could be heading into a “bad faith” argument situation that will only make the experience unpleasant for everyone.

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Join the Dialogue Movement Today!

Let’s Talk is based on the premise that the skills involved in civil discourse are like muscles we’ve allowed to atrophy in an era of extreme partisanship and toxic polarization. FIRE’s civil discourse programming offers ways to practice those skills and build those muscles back up again so we can regain a pluralistic society that rewards viewpoint diversity. We’re proud to support independent Let’s Talk groups committed to dialogue across differences. These groups are FIRE’s partners on the ground and help FIRE stand up for free speech on campus. If you're interested in joining this growing movement or starting your own Let’s Talk group, contact William Harris at will.harris@thefire.org today.

Pluralist Lab Resources

Conversation Guide

Interested in a half-day or full-day civil discourse accelerator? The Pluralist Lab format offers a deep dive into learning and applying research-backed methods for fruitful dialogue. Learn more about how you can have conversations in this unique format.

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Triadic Illumination Exercise

This format is designed to foster deep, meaningful dialogue on divisive issues through a signature method called “Triadic Illumination” — a conversation structure that invites students to explore not only their own views but also the motivations and reasoning behind opposing perspectives.

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Topical Questions and Responses

Triadic Illumination questions are purposely broad and prompt participants to pick a response that most fits their own view. These views are often (but not always) more extreme than their own, but that’s the point! The idea is that, through discussion, participants are able to discuss the nuances that exist within these polarizing topics.

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We realized that there is a need on campus for a space outside the context of a classroom for ideas to be contested and for people to freely express those ideas without fear of social ostracization or outright censorship or repercussions from the administration.

Freely Express Yourself

Student Story

Bobby Ramkissoon is the co-founder of The John Stuart Mill Forum at The College of Wooster. His group’s first meeting focused on the central topic of whether or not there "should be limits to free speech,” which launched participants into a thoughtful and nuanced conversation about some of the hottest topics on university campuses today. The conversation had such an impact that it was featured in an article in The Atlantic magazine, which explored the efforts of students across the country to promote civil dialogue on university campuses.

Resources for Your Group

Let’s Talk groups have no formal connection to FIRE and will vary in size and structure. But they are united in their mission to promote free, fruitful, and civil discussions. The art of civil conversation is an important tradition of a free people: the fulcrum on which a democracy can stand — or topple to the loudest and most illiberal extremes. FIRE’s Let’s Talk program gives students the resources they need to start, maintain, and grow the openhearted and open-minded culture our democracy needs now.

Dealing with Disruptors

What happens when someone attends one of your meetings, not to participate, but to shut it down? Check out these steps for dealing with disruptors.

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Heat Levels For Discussion

This brief handout outlines FIRE’s heat levels, which are designed to help leaders guide their discussion group towards constructive conversations.

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Illustration of two human figures, one orange and one blue, with strings in their heads and coming out their mouths while looking at each other.

Think Clearly, Speak Clearly

When you get your student group together for a fair and free discussion, make sure the conversation focuses on content rather than conceit!

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Let’s Talk Leader Moderation Guide

A key part of being a Let’s Talk leader is recognizing when to intervene during a heated discussion. FIRE has created this Leader Moderation Guide to prepare leaders for their role as moderator and to give them the tools to diffuse tensions in conversation.

Learn to facilitate Lets Talk conversations

Materials for Hosting Let’s Talk Events

Let's Talk Flyers

Tell your peers about your group! Add your organization's details to these flyers and use them to spread the word about Let’s Talk and upcoming events you’re hosting on campus.

Spread the Word

FIRE Legal Director Will Creeley speaking at the 2024 Free Speech Leadership Summit

Sample Speaker Letter

Thinking about inviting a speaker to campus for a public event? Use this sample speaker letter to draft your speaking request and bring the wider community into your Let’s Talk programming!

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