VanityGirl here, as I continue my long run through college, I have to participate in several debates.
Now, arguing for a goal happens a lot on this site, so I thought it may be helpful to post some things about how to debate both calmy and intellegently.
Of course, this is only a helpful suggestion, if you get fired up because someone said something about your momma, then get fired up. I can't stop you.
(I know I've been guilty of getting fired up before, I'm no saint.
)
How to Argue a Point:
1)When an argument is brought up about your point, read/analyze it atleast two times before making a response.
-You want to do this to avoid putting words into your enemy's mouth. This could cause a fight, not an intellegent debate, to occur.
2)When making a response, try to appeal to what enemy says.
-When making a response, if you say something that appeals to the enemy, you may be able to sway them to your side. You must do this without hurting your own cause.
Example: You say you thought the Left 4 Dead 2 boycott was dead on arrival, you enemy absolutely disagrees. You appeal by saying, "While the boycotters made a few good and undeniable points, their boycott was going to fail because..." then give your reason.
3) Always BACK UP YOUR EVIDENCE
-Why is it that so many people say things without providing evidence?
Even in the real world, if I need some evidence, I'll whip out my iPhone and go to the site or where ever I got my fact from and show it to the person I'm having an argument with. This is important because it gives your argument legs to stand on. You can't just blurt out, "PS3 sales beat the Wii and the 360 on it's opening day" without someone saying "I want to see your numbers"
4) Keep a cool head
-The easiest way to lose a debate is by losing your head. If you're passionate about something, that's fine, but don't go from "Well I disagree with you because.." to "You're wrong you stupid n00b!" Just keep your head screwed tightly onto your shoulders and you'll be fine
5) Lose the bias
-I know, a lot of people will say, "But I'm arguing because I'm bias". Actually no, you should lose all bias if you want to be successful. Don't you think Fox News and CNN would be better stations and be more reliable if they both weren't so bias? Yeah, the same thing applies to people. A Republican and a Democrat can have a civil argument, but if they let their political bias cloud their perspectives, then the debate will "Flame ON!" ..Er, so to speak. I say this because I've seen this a lot on this site, people who try to make an argument like "Democrats R battrz tan Republicanzzzz LOLOLOL, look @ ze last prez, he wuz a douche, LOLOLOL" Even if the last president was a douche, that's NO way to go about an argument. Instead say, "I believe both parties have their pros and cons, I prefer to be a Democrat because.." then state you reasons. The quickest way to absolutely lose is by BASHING someone's beliefs. (And yes, technically, you do lose if you bash instead of engage in a level headed debate.)
6) Never flat out say "You're WRONG"
-Ok, this is a fine line, but in general, don't tell a person they're flat out wrong. If they have an opinion on something, they have an opinion. The quickest way to hurt someone's feelings and start a flame war is by saying "You know what, you're wrong". If you numbers or a quoted statements that proves your enemy is incorrect then bring it up. Say something more civil while you bring up the quote or numbers, such as "Well, my statement/numbers say something different from you, would you please tell me your source?"
***There is an occasion when a person's is being extremely douchebag-ish (for lack of better word) and on certain occasions you can say, "Look, that's wrong", but use it with extreme caution. If a person says, "All Jews should die" or says something so incredibly wrong like that, then just say you're wrong. (Better yet, ignore a biggot like that.)
7) Never Defend by Attack
-I've almost reached the point of talking to the Department of Redundancy Department, but you don't Defend by Attack. This will make your enemy bristle up and attack back, at which point neither mind will be swayed. The point of a debate is to try to get the person to see your side of things, by attacking you'll make the person see that you're a douche. I'll use my Left 4 Dead 2 boycott thing as an example.
If I were trying to sway a boycotter to see that their boycott would have never worked, I would not say, "Well you guys are dumbasses for trying! No one was going to listen to your bitchass complaints you DOUCHES"... No that's bad. You deserved to be smacked on your nose with a rolled up newspaper if you say something like that. DO NOT DEFEND BY ATTACKING.
That's pretty much all I got. If you guys can think of any more things to add, please add it. I'd love to make a list because I feel like this is important to those who wish to engage in a civil debate about something.
Now, arguing for a goal happens a lot on this site, so I thought it may be helpful to post some things about how to debate both calmy and intellegently.
Of course, this is only a helpful suggestion, if you get fired up because someone said something about your momma, then get fired up. I can't stop you.
(I know I've been guilty of getting fired up before, I'm no saint.
)How to Argue a Point:
1)When an argument is brought up about your point, read/analyze it atleast two times before making a response.
-You want to do this to avoid putting words into your enemy's mouth. This could cause a fight, not an intellegent debate, to occur.
2)When making a response, try to appeal to what enemy says.
-When making a response, if you say something that appeals to the enemy, you may be able to sway them to your side. You must do this without hurting your own cause.
Example: You say you thought the Left 4 Dead 2 boycott was dead on arrival, you enemy absolutely disagrees. You appeal by saying, "While the boycotters made a few good and undeniable points, their boycott was going to fail because..." then give your reason.
3) Always BACK UP YOUR EVIDENCE
-Why is it that so many people say things without providing evidence?
Even in the real world, if I need some evidence, I'll whip out my iPhone and go to the site or where ever I got my fact from and show it to the person I'm having an argument with. This is important because it gives your argument legs to stand on. You can't just blurt out, "PS3 sales beat the Wii and the 360 on it's opening day" without someone saying "I want to see your numbers"
4) Keep a cool head
-The easiest way to lose a debate is by losing your head. If you're passionate about something, that's fine, but don't go from "Well I disagree with you because.." to "You're wrong you stupid n00b!" Just keep your head screwed tightly onto your shoulders and you'll be fine
5) Lose the bias
-I know, a lot of people will say, "But I'm arguing because I'm bias". Actually no, you should lose all bias if you want to be successful. Don't you think Fox News and CNN would be better stations and be more reliable if they both weren't so bias? Yeah, the same thing applies to people. A Republican and a Democrat can have a civil argument, but if they let their political bias cloud their perspectives, then the debate will "Flame ON!" ..Er, so to speak. I say this because I've seen this a lot on this site, people who try to make an argument like "Democrats R battrz tan Republicanzzzz LOLOLOL, look @ ze last prez, he wuz a douche, LOLOLOL" Even if the last president was a douche, that's NO way to go about an argument. Instead say, "I believe both parties have their pros and cons, I prefer to be a Democrat because.." then state you reasons. The quickest way to absolutely lose is by BASHING someone's beliefs. (And yes, technically, you do lose if you bash instead of engage in a level headed debate.)
6) Never flat out say "You're WRONG"
-Ok, this is a fine line, but in general, don't tell a person they're flat out wrong. If they have an opinion on something, they have an opinion. The quickest way to hurt someone's feelings and start a flame war is by saying "You know what, you're wrong". If you numbers or a quoted statements that proves your enemy is incorrect then bring it up. Say something more civil while you bring up the quote or numbers, such as "Well, my statement/numbers say something different from you, would you please tell me your source?"
***There is an occasion when a person's is being extremely douchebag-ish (for lack of better word) and on certain occasions you can say, "Look, that's wrong", but use it with extreme caution. If a person says, "All Jews should die" or says something so incredibly wrong like that, then just say you're wrong. (Better yet, ignore a biggot like that.)
7) Never Defend by Attack
-I've almost reached the point of talking to the Department of Redundancy Department, but you don't Defend by Attack. This will make your enemy bristle up and attack back, at which point neither mind will be swayed. The point of a debate is to try to get the person to see your side of things, by attacking you'll make the person see that you're a douche. I'll use my Left 4 Dead 2 boycott thing as an example.
If I were trying to sway a boycotter to see that their boycott would have never worked, I would not say, "Well you guys are dumbasses for trying! No one was going to listen to your bitchass complaints you DOUCHES"... No that's bad. You deserved to be smacked on your nose with a rolled up newspaper if you say something like that. DO NOT DEFEND BY ATTACKING.
That's pretty much all I got. If you guys can think of any more things to add, please add it. I'd love to make a list because I feel like this is important to those who wish to engage in a civil debate about something.
