I thought this would be very interesting.

Is there any way you argue? Any certain things that seem to work or tips that you have for other people? I thought this would be something to cool to read about. ;)

Originally posted by Joe
I thought this would be very interesting.

Is there any way you argue? Any certain things that seem to work or tips that you have for other people? I thought this would be something to cool to read about. ;)

there is a heap of stuff here for more formal types of arguments but useful nevertheless http://www.philosophy.unimelb.edu.au/reason/critical/argument_mapping.html

but for me the main things are to never get personal i.e. insult the individual, and make sure you have as many facts and external evidence to support what you are saying rather than relying on personal opinion only. Of course this evidence will be interpreted in a particular way, but the point is to make the interpretation as convincing as possible by making sure that you have as few obvious holes as possible. and also you gotta listen to and consider the opposing points of view, because thats the nature of critique and counter-critique.

SCREAM IF ITS POSSIBLE

I like my arguement hot and to the point (kind of the same way I like my women)....:rockman: :rockman: :kader: :kader:

Originally posted by rhizome17
there is a heap of stuff here for more formal types of arguments but useful nevertheless http://www.philosophy.unimelb.edu.au/reason/critical/argument_mapping.html

but for me the main things are to never get personal i.e. insult the individual, and make sure you have as many facts and external evidence to support what you are saying rather than relying on personal opinion only. Of course this evidence will be interpreted in a particular way, but the point is to make the interpretation as convincing as possible by making sure that you have as few obvious holes as possible. and also you gotta listen to and consider the opposing points of view, because thats the nature of critique and counter-critique.
Yup.
Though I'm not always good at it, it's best to keep your cool and stick to the debate at-hand.
Besides what rhizome said, I'd say it is best to lay out all your points systematically with, where necessary, corresponding evidence. Follow this with your conclusion/wrap up summarizing your argument. This will be helpful to both yourself, to make sure your points match your--well--point:crazyboy:, and, obviously, for whoever is reading it.

That was attempted to be verry simple, did it make sense?

I should talk to my friend who is trying to start a debate club at my Uni. Did you guys have debate teams in high school?


edit:
or you can be like me, and take any chance you can to jump on other people's slip-ups:kader:. This technique can be modified to work well whether you know what you are talking about or not :D .

i take my shoe off, and chuck a hissy and wave it around at the enemy like a communist :D

nah, i used to go on Yahoo chat rooms and bag the utter **** out of people (H) .... haha ... i pissed so many people off.

anyway, compare me to hermolt and you have the classic way of arguing, good and bad :hump:

----

if your gonna argue, provide solid facts, references and dont be unsure about your arguement ... i learnt that from hermolt as well :hump:

Actually, having re-read my original post, I must offer some proviso's because it looks as if I am completely reasonable and dry all of the time. What I wrote basically holds for when I am debating or arguing etc. topics like current events. But of course the context is always important, and I will be the first to admit that in more intimate surroundings, and on domestic issues, e.g. gf's etc., it is not always the easiest to maintain a cool and rational head. So in those situations, if i don't think I am keeping a grip, and want to f*cking scream, I might let one go, but then retreat and cool down.

So of course the context of the argument/ discussion is relevant.

Not sure which one Joe was referring to at the start of this thread so thought I better offer the other side too.

Say it, how you see it!

it does depend on what you are arguing ... if i am arguing with my parents im am going ot say things differently than if i am arguing with a friend ... but i normally stick to the one point that makes my arguement right .. ;) other wise your arguing with no basis to your argument ...

how do you argue joe ?

I'm assuming we're talking about head-to-head arguments. Well, I agree with LB's and rhizome17's points, but I'd like to add a couple thnigs myself.

- One important thing I try to establish from the beginning is that when someone is talking, the other has to listen and stay quiet, only interrupting to make short comments or interjections.
This is the most difficult and simultaneously the most important aspect on a debate. There is always the tendency, as tempers begin to fly, to raise your voice and start invading your opponent's speaking space. This has the result of turning the argument into a useless discussion, obstructing your thoughts and sagacity, leaving you with the feeling that nothing was accomplished, and that you had done better if you hd stayed at home watering your plants.
If your opponent is smart, he'll "win" the discussion easily.

- Another thing is to ALWAYS keep you head cool and NEVER get personal. When you insult someone, even if you had the reason on your side, you always lose. Always.

- This one comes from my personal hand-book of guerrilla discussion tatics. (6)
I try to stay very calm, although I employ very strong words. I also use various tactics to keep everybody's attention at all time (making strategic pauses, talking in a low voice and switching to higher tone, etc.), emphasize my strong points and my opponent's weaknesses and, although it depends on the character avaliation I am making of him, I try to get him nervous to the point of mking him lose his temper.

I boil in very few water, so this has been a hard task to keep myself cool at all times, but I'm making some progress. Being a mod here has also helped me to some extent: I never reply when I am seriously pissed, rather go do something else and come back 30 minutes later.;)
Right now, I only lose my temper sometimes when I'm discussing very personal issues with my family and gf. Still, I'm more calm than I was 2 years ago.

Just one word. How will you win every debate. FACTS!

Winning an argument is simple:
You must be right.
Who's right?
The guy with the biggest gun.
:kader:

be brief

Originally posted by INFESTA
- Another thing is to ALWAYS keep you head cool and NEVER get personal. When you insult someone, even if you had the reason on your side, you always lose. Always.

I boil in very few water, so this has been a hard task to keep myself cool at all times, but I'm making some progress. Being a mod here has also helped me to some extent: I never reply when I am seriously pissed, rather go do something else and come back 30 minutes later.;)
Right now, I only lose my temper sometimes when I'm discussing very personal issues with my family and gf. Still, I'm more calm than I was 2 years ago.

i gotta take u'r advice :o

i get heated easy myself ... :o

arguing is good tho ... to settle disputes, its challenging when they get heated :D

SHUT THE F*CK UP!

NO YOU SHUT THE F*CK UP!

NO YOU!

NO YOU!

IM TELLING MOTHER!

:kader: (H)

you've got ot be provocative !!
you ***ing morons !!!!

;) :D