There exists a debate at universities around the country about the need for and use of “trigger warnings.” That is, warning students when the instructor might be bringing up content that would trigger a negative response based on previous trauma audience members have experienced. Knowing what you do from the text about “trigger words,” argue either for or against professors using trigger warnings in class, being careful to give reasons for your claims.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers should make clear the definition of “trigger words,” indicating that they are words
that induce strong emotion depending on the audience members’ personal experience. It would
recognize that there are some common trigger words and the negative impact that they have on
the ability of a listener to continue to listen to/learn from a presentation. In the context of the
chapter, arguments for trigger warnings might center on maintaining an environment where
students can prepare themselves for difficult topics instead of being blindsided by them therein
increasing their ability to stay with the material and learn. Arguments against trigger warnings
would suggest that even a warning might block students’ ability to learn and process material,
and that they might shut down even before trying to engage in the discussion. Some also argue
that it might cause instructors to avoid difficult topics that might be usefully discussed.