Six ways to put two sides in one frame.
Same idea, different shapes. Every demo works on a phone — try Phone view.
Pick the format for the job.
| Format | Best for | Reader does | Read time | Production effort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A · The Exchange | Flagship daily; most stories | Steps through six rounds | 90 sec – 5 min | Medium: two contributors + editor |
| B · Evidence Board | Breaking news; disputed facts | Scrubs the day’s edits; follows evidence tags | 2–3 min | Medium–high: live editor |
| C · Third Chair | Complex issues that aren’t two camps | Taps claims to see evidence strength | 3–4 min | High: needs an independent expert |
| D · Say It Better | Opinion; teaching; classrooms | Picks a stance, tests grasp, re-answers | 3 min | Medium: restatements + quiz |
| F · Key Points | Any topic; AI-built; current events | Reads titles, opens points, switches views | 30 sec – 3 min | Lowest: Claude drafts, editors review |
| E · Tap the Claim | Explainers; mobile; social share | Taps phrases inside a brief | 1–2 min | Low–medium: tag claims in a brief |
The Exchange
Verified brief, two independent openings, direct replies, a concession each, editor-written common ground and open questions — one round at a time.
Details
- Best forMost stories, every day
- Reader getsEvidence, strongest arguments, replies, agreements, unknowns
- On a phonePaired cards, one round at a time
- On desktopSynchronized side-by-side columns
The Evidence Board
Start with a visible ledger — confirmed, claimed or disputed, still unknown — then two readings of what it means. Editors update the board as facts change; earlier opinions are never silently rewritten.
Details
- Best forGovernment spending, economic data, corporate announcements, investigations
- Signature moveReplay the day’s edits; corrections stay visible
- IntegrationEach reading’s evidence tags light up on the board
- RiskNeeds a live editor to stay trustworthy
The Third Chair
For questions that don’t split cleanly in two. A third, independent expert says where both may be right, what each misses, and which claims rest on stronger evidence — without declaring a winner.
Details
- Best forComplex, multi-factor questions
- Not“The middle,” and never a referee who picks winners
- Reader doesTaps any claim to see how strong its evidence is
- RiskChoosing the expert fairly is the whole game
Say It Better
Before anyone argues back, each side must restate the other’s case — and the other side grades it. The reader takes a position, tests whether they can state the opposing view, then answers again. The product isn’t persuasion; it’s understanding.
Details
- Best forOpinion, classrooms, civic learning
- Signature moveRestatement grades: “Would you sign this?”
- MeasuresBefore/after position and ability to summarize the other side
- RiskNeeds contributors willing to be graded
Tap the Claim
One neutral brief where every contested phrase is live. Tap it and both contributors’ takes appear side by side, with an evidence note. Underlines show at a glance where the sides agree, split, or where it depends.
Details
- Best forExplainers, social sharing, phones and smart-glass-style glanceable reading
- Signature moveThe disagreement map is built into the sentence
- Reader doesFilters to “where do they actually agree?”
- RiskLight on depth by design — pair it with an Exchange
Key Points
Not an article. Each perspective gets a 1–4 word title, a one-line point, and 2–5 sentences of support — and every perspective answers the same questions, so each point sits beside its counterpoint. Switch to a spectrum or an overlap map.
Details
- Best forAny topic, on demand, with current sources
- Built byClaude with web search; editors review
- Reader doesSkims titles, opens a row, picks a view
- RiskNeeds the Standard baked into the prompt
Let readers pick the winner.
Prototype A and B on the same real, timely story and test with 18–39-year-olds. Select by learning, not clicks alone.
Measure
- Comprehension
- Perceived fairness to each side
- Completion time
- Willingness to share
- Accurate summary of the opposing argument
Compare
- A vs. B on one story
- Each against a plain article
- D and E as add-ons to A
Decide
The format that best teaches readers to state the other side wins the flagship slot. The rest become modules partners can choose.