How to make a point!

[guards]

I have noticed recently that people have been having a difficult time in expressing their opinions or views. Believe it or not, there is an unwritten etiquette needed in the field of debate. Here are some good rules of thumb:

1. Insulting the other individual will NOT get your point across!!! If anything, the other person will retaliate with a response that is just as immature in nature.

2. Be clear!!!!! Use examples, quotes, stats, studies. Don't just state " This is the way it is, because I said so"

3. State BOTH sides of an argument. A response with both sides taken into consideration will gain more reliability than a one-sided response.

4. Be prepared to defend your argument. Too many times there have been people who have posted an opinion/argument, and then whine that other's may have an opposing view.


Anyone have any other suggestions????? These are just my personal rules, but I am sure I am missing some.

 

[gymtime]

I got one. When you've been proven to be wrong by logic and not insults, admit it. Be a man.

 

[guards]

I got one. When you've been proven to be wrong by logic and not insults, admit it. Be a man.

I agree 100 %!!!!


rule #5

Know when to stop the debate.

 

[frorider6]

I got one. When you've been proven to be wrong by logic and not insults, admit it. Be a man.

I disagree. You're wrong because I say so. And you're ugly.

 

[WODIN]

Gaurds you are a bafoon!!! This is a thread is a total waste of space and even my typing is beginning to annoy me!!! I defend nothing!!!

 

[gymtime]

I disagree. You're wrong because I say so. And you're ugly.

D'oh!! WhyIoudda.....!!!!

 

[frorider6]

D'oh!! WhyIoudda.....!!!!

Homer like beer.

 

[guards]

Karma for all who posted

 

[gymtime]

Homer like beer.

Food goes in here.

(sorry guards, i know you're serious on this..........but Frorider started it!!!!!)

 

[frorider6]

Food goes in here.

(sorry guards, i know you're serious on this..........but Frorider started it!!!!!)

You're such a tattle tale!!!

(just my way of keeping an intelligent thought bumped)

 

[gymtime]

You're such a tattle tale!!!

(just my way of keeping an intelligent thought bumped)

Am not!!!.........................buttface!

 

[Crazier]

When you are trying to be intellectual to win a debate...
Spell better than a 3rd grader.
--

 

[guards]

Crazier When you are trying to be intellectual to win a debate...

Rule #6

Diction is a must!

 

[frorider6]

Rule #6

Diction is a must!

You said diction.

 

[guards]

frorider--- Love your avatar dude!!! I was the tick for halloween! Gotta love blue spandex.

 

[frorider6]

frorider--- Love your avatar dude!!! I was the tick for halloween! Gotta love blue spandex.

Way old avatar. Hit <Ctrl> and "Refresh" at the same time.

 

[frorider6]

Smith's Rules for Debates

For Proponents
Choose a definitive formulation of the thesis you are proposing, and communicate this formulation to your opponents at least several days beforehand. (Proponents and opponents should be clear about the thesis that is being debated.)

State this formulation of the thesis at the beginning and end of your presentation, and several times in the middle. (The audience should be clear about the thesis that is being debated.)

Make it clear what the theoretical background of your argument is. (E.g., in ethics: utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, etc.)

Attempt to trap your opponent, by anticipating his arguments beforehand and showing what is wrong with them.

Do not be afraid to use visual aids (blackboard, handouts, overhead projector) to make your point.




For Proponents and Opponents

Include a conclusion in which you demonstrate how you have established or refuted the thesis.

Avoid lengthy and repetitive presentations of facts or stories. Avoid mouthing a familiar party-line. Concentrate on arguments and on thinking through to basic presuppositions.

Use notes. If you attempt to write out every word of your presentation beforehand it will sound wooden.

Speak loudly and clearly, and address your remarks to the audience.

Speak confidently; always sound as if you believe absolutely in what you are saying, always maintain a consistent front.

Always prepare more notes than you think you will need. If you think you have said enough, move directly to your conclusion. Do not leave the audience with the impression that you have not said enough.

Leave your personal views and your personal experiences out of account; what is important is exclusively the quality of your arguments.

Never concede that you agree with the other side or suggest compromise positions. Preserve a clear opposition between the views of proponents and opponents throughout.

Use radical and imaginative gambits to keep the attention and sympathy of your audience. For example: pretend to agree with almost everything the opposing side says, but then reveal how what your opponents say implies that they are in fact quite wrong. Or use the method of reductio ad absurdum (i.e. show that, if the opposing side were correct, then this would have absurd consequences).

Do not use ad hominem arguments. Even morally degenerate people can have good arguments. The qualities of the person presenting an argument are irrelevant to the quality of the argument he presents.

 

[guards]

ttt

 

[Warik]

Gaurds you are a bafoon!!! This is a thread is a total waste of space and even my typing is beginning to annoy me!!! I defend nothing!!!

It's spelled "buffoon" you old fart! That'll teach you to dare oppose my logically sound guilty-until-proven-innocent idea.

-Warik

 

[bigguns7]

Don't use phrases like "experts say" or "scientists believe" or "religious scholars confirm." At least say what year they said it, and at what University they researched, etc.

 

[guards]

Don't use phrases like "experts say" or "scientists believe" or "religious scholars confirm." At least say what year they said it, and at what University they researched, etc.

Rule #7

If you are going to refer to sources, quote them, and make sure that they are reliable sources. Not just some dude on the net.

 

[bouncer]

Guards I'll say this one last time

IF I WANT YOUR OPINION I'LL FUCKING GIVE IT TO YOU........

Bouncer

 

[guards]

Bouncer:

Sir, yes, sir. Sir, may I please have another???

 

[guards]

Wait a minute.....back up the train. It is YOU who would be calling ME sir....


Your opinion for the day= Guards is GOD!

 

[guards]

Bouncer.......That is all, dismissed.

 

[bouncer]

FUCKING HAS BEEN CIVIE

Bouncer

 

[guards]

hanging head in shame

Yes, sir.

 

[spongebob]

smith&wesson