Use Stories Instead of Facts to Make a Better Argument Photo: fizkes (Shutterstock) In the midst of a debate, reciting facts and hard data isn’t the failsafe strategy we often expect it to be. This applies especially to political debates, largely due to broad polarization of the American public as misinformation forces more people than ever into their chosen spheres of reality. Advertisement If you feel like you’re hitting a brick wall as you verbally grapple with someone close to you, there’s a better strategy to help break through the seemingly implacable disconnect: illustrating your point with a story. A good deal of research indicates how a poignant or gripping anecdote can change hearts and minds by prompting empathy, rather than combativeness.