The Magic Word 'Because': How to Give a Reason for What You Think

Mia says, 'Pepperoni pizza is the best!' Jake says, 'No it's not!' Neither one is talking, they're just bouncing 'yes it is' and 'no it's not' back and forth. Then Mia tries something new: 'Pepperoni is the best pizza because it's the only one my little brother will actually eat, so our whole family agrees on it.' Jake stops. He can't just say 'no it's not' anymore, he actually has to think about what Mia said. That's the power of one small word: because.

- What an opinion is, and how it's different from a fact - Why the word 'because' makes people actually listen to you - How to turn 'I like it' into a real reason someone can think about - How to disagree with someone without being mean

A fact is something that is true for everyone, like 'a dog has four legs.' An opinion is what one person thinks or feels, like 'dogs are better than cats.' Both people can be right about their own opinion at the same time! The trick isn't proving your opinion is the only true one, it's helping someone else understand why you think it.

When you just say 'I like it' or 'that's dumb,' the other person has nothing to think about, they can only agree or argue back. But when you add 'because' and a real reason, you give them something to actually consider. Compare these two: 'Recess should be longer.' (Nobody can respond to this except 'nuh-uh.') 'Recess should be longer because ten minutes isn't enough time to even finish one game of tag.' (Now there's a real reason someone could agree with, or explain why they disagree.)