What balance should I strike in the interviews between self-assertiveness and intellectual flexibility?

This is one of the most common problems facing Oxbridge interview candidates, especially in the arts and humanities. On the one hand it is a well known fact that Oxbridge tutors appreciate candidates who can express and defend a clear intellectual position. It is therefore essential that candidates do not display excessive intellectual temerity and formulate clear opinions with a view to convincing others.On the other hand, it is less well known that Oxbridge tutors are looking for candidates who are able to adapt their opinions when presented with new evidence and contrasting viewpoints. This is because the interviews are designed to be simulations of the tutorial system, and tutors are no enthused by the prospect of three years of tutorials with a student who is unable to change their mind under any circumstances. Consequently the interviewer will drop hints that they are looking for you to reconsider your original argument, hints to which you should respond. Candidates are best advised to use these as opportunities to adapt their original position, rather than abandoning it entirely, an option that demonstrates intellectual flexibility whilst maintaining elements of intellectual self-assurance - a combination likely to impress an interviewer.