Ideas worth spreading

How to win an argument (at the US Supreme Court, or anywhere)

2,348,558 views |

Neal Katyal |

TED2020

• July 2020

The secret to winning an argument isn't grand rhetoric or elegant style, says US Supreme Court litigator Neal Katyal -- it takes more than that. With stories of some of the most impactful cases he's argued before the Court, Katyal shows why the key to crafting a persuasive and successful argument lies in human connection, empathy and faith in the power of your ideas. "The question is not how to win every argument," he says. "It's how to get back up when you do lose."

The secret to winning an argument isn't grand rhetoric or elegant style, says US Supreme Court litigator Neal Katyal -- it takes more than that. With stories of some of the most impactful cases he's argued before the Court, Katyal shows why the key to crafting a persuasive and successful argument lies in human connection, empathy and faith in the power of your ideas. "The question is not how to win every argument," he says. "It's how to get back up when you do lose."

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Learn how you can stand up and fight for our constitutional values by visiting Neal Katyal's nonprofit, the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown University.

About the speaker

Neal Katyal

Supreme Court litigator

See speaker profile

Neal Katyal is the former Acting Solicitor General of the United States and is currently serving as a Special Prosecutor in the George Floyd murder cases.

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Learn more

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Learn how you can stand up and fight for our constitutional values by visiting Neal Katyal's nonprofit, the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown University.