1. Successful Campaigning: How to Win Your Arguments
Course Rep Academy
Successful Campaigning: How to Win Your Arguments

2. Learning outcomes for today
Focusing your campaign aims
Identify the components of a winning argument
Practise making a winning argument to decision makers and targets

3. What would you improve on your course?
Write down an issue on your course

4. Preparation is key when highlighting your issues
‘Better feedback’
‘The university/college to commit to a maximum of 3 weeks turnaround on written assessment’

5. Preparation is key when highlighting your issues
Ensure you are SMART:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time bound

6. The seven sins of non preparation
Unclear aims and objectives
Activity planning happening before (or without) setting an aim
Lack of evidence
Going it alone
Targeting the wrong decision maker
Messages that people don’t care about
Forgetting to monitor and evaluate

7. What makes an effective argument?
ACTIVITY
In pairs identify what makes an effective argument
Think of at least 5 things
Activity Time: 5 minutes

8. What makes an effective argument?
Have a clear ask
Back up your argument with evidence
Remind them who they’re accountable to
Explain how it will benefit them
Other people are on board
What will happen if they don’t agree?
Examples of where it’s worked well
Play to self-interest
Get people they respect on board to help

9. Now it’s your turn?
Lobbyist – make an effective argument in 3 minutes. What is your ask?
Target – don’t be too mean but think how that person would respond.
Observer – make notes on what they did well
(Lobbyists, don’t forget to tell your target who they’re pretending to be!)