Civil discourse is the engagement in discourse (conversation) intended to enhance understanding; Civil discourse exists as a function of freedom of speech. It is discourse that "supports, rather than undermines the societal good." An example of civil discourse was the "robust, honest, frank and constructive dialogue and deliberation that seeks to advance the public interest" by an assortment of national leaders in 2011 during a conversation at the U.S. Supreme Court. In contrast, uncivil discourse is "language characterized as containing direct insults, willful misattribution of motive without due reason, and open contempt."