2. What is Civility? Be Polite! Raise Your Hand! Before We Define It…
Take this simple test.
See if you can tell
whether the characters
you see represent civil
or uncivil behavior.
Be Polite!
Raise Your Hand!

3. Civil or
Uncivil?

4. Civil Or
Uncivil?

5. Civil Or
Uncivil?

6. Civil Or
Uncivil?

7. OK Then…
Civil or
Uncivil?

8. How About Now?
Civil or
Uncivil?

9. The three pillars of civility:
Then What is Civility?
The three pillars of civility:
• The ability to be respectful of other people while
expressing an opinion.
• The ability to acknowledge and appreciate the
fact that opinions differ among people
• The ability to engage with other people to
constructively move discussion forward
The Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics
The University of Akron

10. How Long Has There Been Incivility in America?
Mark Twain
American Humorist

11. Historical Examples of Incivility in American Politics
During the election of 1800, the partisan
press called…
John Adams a “hideous
hermaphroditical character”
…and…
Thomas Jefferson a
“mean-spirited, low-lived
fellow, the son of a
half-breed Indian squaw.”
The Seattle Times
Incivility Crisis of Politics…a Symptom of Division
Oct. 27, 2012

12. On July 11, 1804… Aaron Burr shot and killed
Alexander Hamilton in a duel.
Burr was the Vice President
of the United States.
Hamilton was the former
Secretary of the Treasury and
leader of the Federalist Party.

13. On May 22, 1856…
In a dispute over slavery:
South Carolina congressman
Preston Brooks savagely
beat Massachusetts Senator
Charles Sumner with a cane
on the floor of the Senate

14. Does it Have to Be This Way?
Click Here

15. Why is Civility Critical in a Free Society?
List and Discuss
Some Reasons:
_______________________
2. ________________________
3. ________________________
4. ________________________
5. ________________________

16. Can America be a More Civil Society?
It Starts With
YOU!

17. A Civility Pledge
Today and Every Day I Aspire to Practice the following Skills: 1. Pay Attention - Be Aware of Others & Sensitive to the Immediate Context
of Actions 2. Listen Closely - Understand Other Points of View 3. Be Inclusive - Welcome All; Don't Exclude Anyone 4. Don't Gossip - Remind Others of the Importance of this Practice 5. Show Respect - Honor Others (Especially in Disagreement) 6. Be Agreeable - Find Opportunities to Agree 7. Apologize Sincerely - Repair Damaged Relationships 8. Give Constructive Comments, Suggestions & Feedback –
No Personal Attacks (Focus on Issues) 9. Accept Responsibility - Don't Shift Blame; Share Disagreements Publicly "It's often not what you say.  It's how you say it.”
The Oshkosh Civility Project