Sometimes a good protest is really necessary. But if you were to yell something out loud, you would find yourself wearing out your vocal cords. Do it in writing and it will be best for everyone. Here you can learn how to choose good topics to protest, find the right tone for your protest and some tips for avoiding unsuccessful protests.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Choose a topic
Step 1. Choose a topic you are well informed about
Protesting about a topic you're unfamiliar with is the best way to embarrass yourself, and you may even win favor with the cause or topic you're trying to protest. Only protest against things you are already familiar with.
- It is generally good to do some research to corroborate and support your knowledge of the subject you are already familiar with. Even if you think you're sure of what you know, rock your protest with hard data.
- Even if you feel your opinion about something is unassailable, be sure to back it up with facts so your protest doesn't end up looking silly. You may even become a heartfelt spokesperson for the protesters if you delve into the matter well.
Step 2. Choose something you count against to protest
The difference between a good protest and a whiny blog depends on what is at stake. If you want to protest effectively, there must be an underlying issue or cause behind your protest. There must be a reason to complain. Find it before you start complaining.
- The stakes when it comes to fracking and digging in the mountains is pretty obvious, but maybe it's less obvious when it comes to what dude and dude wore on the red carpet. That's not to say that you can't complain effectively about both, just that you have to go deeper.
- Protests can be cultural, political, social and address issues of class, race, sexuality and any other topic. Find out how serious is hiding beneath the surface if you want your protest to go to the bottom.
Step 3. Make a list of the negative elements
What really pisses you off about that particular topic? Before launching directly into your protest, it is good to make a list of the things that irritate you on which to then build an effective protest. The more specific, the better.
- A personal story can give a lot of drama to a protest. Do you have any personal experiences that can be used to your advantage? If you've recently been stopped and searched by a cop for no reason, adding this episode could make your protest more passionate.
- Stay focused on the subject until you find something concrete. Reality shows irritate you. So? Keep thinking about it until you find something more interesting to say about it.
Step 4. Find a weak spot
When you protest, you need to direct your protest where it hurts your target the most. Do not underestimate contradictions, errors and other logical leaps that you can find regarding the subject you want to protest.
- What is it that just doesn't make sense to you about what irritates you so much? If you can't stand the sitcom "Two and a Half Men," you might say, "She's just stupid," but keep looking for her sweet spot. Why is she stupid? What's stupid about it? How can you explain its stupidity?
- Eventually, you may find that the show you hate represents a stereotypical version of men and women. Start looking for examples that show your protest. Choose them carefully and your protest will be very powerful.
Method 2 of 3: Guessing the Tone
Step 1. Use specific examples
A bad protest will find itself repeating the same thing fifty times and will prove nothing at all. You can say in strong words why "Two and a Half Men" is the worst show ever just because "it's stupid," or you can explain and demonstrate why it's so terrible.
- Whenever you make a statement in your protest, get used to asking yourself, "So what?" And then give yourself an answer.
- Point out contradictions or logical leaps. The best way to protest is to take the issue head on by pointing out everything that is wrong, ridiculous, or terrible. Connect the dots for the reader.
Step 2. Use strong adjectives
A bad protest will say that something is "very very very stupid" while a good protest will say something more specific and precise: "The so-called humor found in 'Two and a Half Men' is so bland and immature, it makes' Beavis and Butthead 'of the lovely Shakespearean characters. The series is colossally stupid."
It is important to support your protest with specific examples. You can't say how bad something is without taking the time to prove it. Provide quotes, examples, and discuss the topic in as much detail as possible
Step 3. Use sarcasm to your advantage
Sarcasm is the favorite toy of those who protest. Make good use of verbal thrusts with copious sarcasm that embarrasses your target. Those who find themselves the object of your wrath will regret ever inspiring them if you throw them sarcasm bombs like these:
The creator of 'Two and a Half Men' says his program is 'populist.' True. The show should be credited with being so populist as to be the best show for sexists, racists, and for being able to stimulate the lowest instincts of its ape audience
Step 4. Use irony and satire to your advantage
One of the best ways to protest something by reinforcing your words is to mock it in a subtle way. If you can give an idea of your target by making fun of their style, you are a true professional of protest.
If you want to blame the cheesy style of Wes Anderson's films, for example, you might write overly cloyingly about the panda you had to take care of for a summer camp, and the Brazilian singer you caught your eye with while singing Gipsy songs. Kings at the piano
Step 5. Get the big picture
A good protest makes a mountain of a mouse. Combine the little things you notice and use them to push yourself against a broader social, cultural, or political issue. If it bothers you that your friends check Facebook every five seconds while you're out for lunch, what could it say about interpersonal relationships in the digital age? What is the final result of this centrality of Facebook? Where is this company of heads bent on mobile phone screens leading us?
There is a fine line between effective protest and exaggeration. You have to push yourself there without ever going beyond the mark. Saying that Facebook ruins dating and making relationships more difficult rather than facilitating them falls within the boundaries of good protest. Say that Facebook is probably responsible for the spread of Ebola? We are definitely beyond acceptable
Method 3 of 3: Avoiding the Most Common Mistakes
Step 1. Let it rest before making it public
Twitter and Tumblr make it easier to express yourself publicly without filters. If you have to protest harshly about a topic you are very passionate about, go ahead, but don't put it online until you've had time to think about it.
- Here's a good rule of thumb: give yourself 24 hours. If you still feel the same about that topic, with the same ardor, and are willing to support your ideas if contradicted, then post it.
- If they called you on television and asked you to defend your opinion, would you be willing to do so? If the answer is no, think twice before posting it and making it public to the whole world.
Step 2. Approach the topic from an intelligent point of view
Have you ever seen the video of protesters holding anti-Socialism placards being asked to define what Socialism is, and they can't? You don't want to end up like them. You would end up embarrassing yourself if you go out to protest about something you know nothing about. Be smart before you mess up.
I repeat, because it is never enough, if you are not informed on a certain subject, your opinion is useless. Keep it to yourself
Step 3. Don't make it personal
Personal attacks are directed at the characteristics of a certain person, not at the work or the words that this person has created. You would do well to make fun of the creator of "Two and a Half Men" for the hideous series he is responsible for, but not because "he has a fool face and dresses badly." This has nothing to do with the matter. Avoid the temptation to blame the person.
Step 4. Avoid logical jumps
Your protest must make sense, even if it is passionate. Learn the basics of an argument well and back it up with good ideas and iron logic, or your protest will fall apart. Any discussion should include:
- A clear thesis
- Some supporting evidence
- Good examples
- Justifications and supporting logic
- A summary or a conclusion
Step 5. Don't complain so much to do it
It is important to use a good protest for something that you are able to disassemble with surgical precision, not for something that only bothers you and that you simply want to gossip about.
Was the bus late again? Yes and then? If you can answer this question with a good example, which made everyone arrive late for work, then you have a good protest on your hands. If the only consequence was that it took you five more minutes to get to the bar, then forget it
Step 6. Keep it as clean as possible
Swear words are like chili: they make a dish tastier, but no one would eat handfuls of it. If you decide to slip a couple of strong words into your protest, make them make sense, don't put them in the spotlight.
