I want to learn how to argue effectively.

Hey everyone. I was just wondering.. I know many individuals on this forum have a very strong mindset and they are capable of sustaining arguments and standing their ground in them. Whether it be a political debate, or anything in particular, I've witnessed some very impressive debacles take place here.So my question is, what's the best and most effective way of being able to argue points in a debate? Because usually, I tend to just focus on using impressive terminology to try and throw the other person off, but I don't seem to really focus on the points or what's being discussed at hand. So, what are some tips or suggestions to being able to constructively attack your opponents points without resorting to insults,etc or just trying to disprove their arguments?

Sorry for the messed up text.

Simply put, you have to know what your talking about. If your at all hazy, you will lose.

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough" Albert Einstein

I am the most effective at arguing and debating on here, period. Just follow me around and you'll see how a pro does it ;)

Whatever you do, do not take any advice from LJS on this

imaps3fanboy

I dunno.

I hear he's pretty good. In fact, he's so good, arguing with him will make you insane.

Oh if you want to learn that than you definitely came to the right place.

[spoiler] not really [/spoiler]

Who is LJS

Who is LJS

Redbull1109

Who is LJS

Redbull1109

Who are you?

[QUOTE="Redbull1109"]

Who is LJS

Necrifer

Who are you?

[QUOTE="Necrifer"]

[QUOTE="Redbull1109"]

Who is LJS

mrmusicman247

Who are you?

Who isn't he?

Who am I?

Whatever you do, do not take any advice from LJS on thisimaps3fanboy

[QUOTE="imaps3fanboy"]Whatever you do, do not take any advice from LJS on thiskuraimen

OT?

Take a class, or buy a book. Most community colleges have debate and speech classes.

OT?

Redbull1109

Overt tomato. That's the nickname of this board.

Whatever you do, do not take any advice from LJS on thisimaps3fanboy

If he wants to learn to argue effectively specifically on GS OT then he should.

Depends on the standards he wants to set.

Argue like Bill OReily http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BCipg71LbI

The most important part of an argument is knowing what you are talking about. Also important is being able to effectively express your thoughts on the matter. You may meet someone who is beligerent about his or her views. In that case, remember what's important and stick to it.

Its basiclly a chess game really. I've seen certain users here who would really focus on what words you use and try to attack you by using them against you. So every single sentence and word you say can be used against you. The most important thing to argue about is simply something you know well about. The more you know about it, the more effectively you can respond.

But remember, no matter how much you think you know about something, someone out there undoubtly knows better. Therefore, you should be able to admit and acknowledge this when it shows clearly without looking like a complete dork and lose the argument. Open mindedness is also a very major issue, people usually will not like and support a person who argues one sidedly for no reason other than the fact that he is that one side. Honestly, the best thing i've come to understand when it comes to arguing is this: usually, the best thing to do is to be honest to yourself and others and understand what you are talking about.

Stand your ground firmly and furiously fling insults and mean names at them. Its alright to get creative with the names too, that shows your brain is highly imaginative and arguement is futile for you will counter everything they say. Thus pre-emptively defeating them, They will know you are not to be phucked with.

lulz.

As users have insinuated ITT, there are some nasty habits in OT that you don't want to acquire.

Take a **** or buy a book. Most community colleges have debate and speech ****s.

airshocker

coolbeans90's Brief, Simple Guide to Arguing (v 1.0a1)

Foreward:

This will not guarantee that you will win all of your arguments -- in fact you will systematically lose some arguments if you follow this guide properly.

1. Knowledge is useful:

• Knowledge is key to formulating sound premises to an argument of almost any sort.
• The stronger the premises, the harder it is for an opponent to assail one's argument on grounds of a faulty premise.
• Knowledge of any particular subject also will familiarize one's self with potential premises to counterarguments and their respective strengths/weaknesses.

In short, there is little one can do without knowing his s*** aside from ripping apart an opponent's argument - which can be surprisingly easy to do depending one their ability to do the following.

2. Think effectively:

• Apply rigorous logical analysis to what conclusions one can draw from premises.
• Think of alternative arguments one can make with the same premises.
• Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of various arguments and counterarguments.
• If one is attached to an argument for some reason, one may be tempted to find more knowledge in order to attempt to bolster it or to attack opposing arguments. This is not officially endorsed by coolbeans90. It is despicable, but effective. Don't do this. Confirmation bias makes you weaker over the long run. Acknowledge when you argument does not hold.

Using the two strategies above, one can do something which more or less stacks the deck in their favor prior to the opening shots -- choosing a side on the matter based upon the strengths of the arguments themselves. One might refer to this as using the easy side of an argument as a crutch. Others call it an effective strategy. It's more or less how I assess/formulate my positions on matters of cause/effect while dissociating any personal feelings to the extent that I can.

Whatever you do, do not take any advice from LJS on thisimaps3fanboy

lol, LJS should totally make a guide on how to argue his way. I undoublty think that a lot of people would be intrested in that :lol:

[QUOTE="imaps3fanboy"]Whatever you do, do not take any advice from LJS on thisTehFuneral

lol, LJS should totally make a guide on how to argue his way. I undoublty think that a lot of people would be intrested in that :lol:

coolbeans are you serious he asked how to win a debate, not how to do research and form a solid basis for his opinionJandurin

He wants to argue effectively.

The final paragraph kinda justifies my stance, IMO.

i.e.: Pick the stronger argument before debating.

[QUOTE="Jandurin"]coolbeans are you serious he asked how to win a debate, not how to do research and form a solid basis for his opinioncoolbeans90

He wants to argue effectively.

The final paragraph kinda justifies my stance, IMO.

i.e.: Pick the stronger argument before debating.

Remember that if you are incorrect about anything you say someone will call you out for it. I don't mean your opinion, unless it's obviously terrible, but I mean data. Start pulling facts from the air without checking them and you're done. Everyone here knows how to get to Google.

In real life, it's a different story.

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

[QUOTE="Jandurin"]coolbeans are you serious he asked how to win a debate, not how to do research and form a solid basis for his opinionJandurin

He wants to argue effectively.

The final paragraph kinda justifies my stance, IMO.

i.e.: Pick the stronger argument before debating.

o

umm

I have no excuse.

I forget who u r sometimes.

I forget who u r sometimes.

coolbeans90

[QUOTE="TehFuneral"]

[QUOTE="imaps3fanboy"]Whatever you do, do not take any advice from LJS on thisxaos

lol, LJS should totally make a guide on how to argue his way. I undoublty think that a lot of people would be intrested in that :lol:

Not really, ill admit that i've quitely backed down from some serious arguments I could have gotten into mostly because of that 'winning' strategy you speak of.

Another important OT debate tip: the plural of anecdote is data.

Another important OT debate tip: the plural of anecdote is data.

Slow_Show

Another important OT debate tip: the plural of anecdote is data.

Slow_Show

Don't argue. Ignore everything.

Also, QED is Latin for "duh"xaos

I thought the Strunk and White accepted OT meaning was "QED is a math thing, therefore adding it to the end of my rambling, nonsensical post makes it logical"?

On a related note: when in doubt, "vis-a-vis" can be used to connect any two arguments, regardless of whether they're even remotely related to eachother vis-a-vis global warming is a scam.

[QUOTE="xaos"]Also, QED is Latin for "duh"Slow_Show

I thought the Strunk and White accepted OT meaning was "QED is a math thing, therefore adding it to the end of my rambling, nonsensical post makes it logical"?

On a related note: when in doubt, "vis-a-vis" can be used to connect any two arguments, regardless of whether they're even remotely related to eachother vis-a-vis global warming is a scam.

And without accents, apparently.