Disclaimer: Not sure where this goes, seeing how the debate section is mainly for debates. Nevertheless, I've been seeing a ton of crappy arguments in the debate section lately. In no way do I consider myself a fantasmal debater; however, I know **** when I see it. If you feel that there's something that could be added, feel free to leave a comment telling me what could be made better in this guide, and I might add it. What this will do is help you form the two main types of arguments, from what I learned from my Speech & Debate teacher: Attack! and Defend! _________________ Attack! In my opinion, it is much easier to attack than defend. In Attacking Arguments, what you want to do is observe the argument that the other person gave. Then, after researching the credibility of the evidence, you can then destroy the argument piece by piece. You really need to look around for the flaws in the argument, but there's no such thing as an un-breakable argument. There's always a flaw in there, and if you can find it, chances are that it will put the other person on the defensive so that you can gain the advantage. Once you've successfully attacked a post, keep pushing against the person. What you need to do is cause the other person to react to you, so you can get the leverage in the debate. I will give several progressively-harder examples that have purposely-built flaws for you to attack. You can also use these examples as what not to do, although the example 3 is fairly well made. Example 1: Example 2: Example 3: _________________ Defend! While attacking an argument is easy enough, making a defensive argument is much more challenging. You need to plug up as many holes in your older post as possible in your defense. Defending against an attacking post will put you in the place of the reaction, which you need to manuever out of as quickly as possible. Else, the person that's attacking you will quickly gain more support than you in the debate. The best way to do so is to put an attacking argument immediately after your defending argument. I will give several progressively-harder examples that have purposely-built flaws for you to defend against. You can also use these examples as what not to do, although the example 3 is fairly well made. Example 1: Example 2: Example 3: _________________ Final Note: It's much easier to start off in a debate thread by attacking, rather than defending your role. Start off by pointing out flaws in someone else's post, and then quickly taking advantage. Remember, once you've gained the momentum, keep pushing until they topple. Metaphorically speaking. When defending against an attacking post, you can opt for attacking the attacking post. However, this leaves you open to further criticism of your lack of response to their attack.
Thank you for posting this, I have seen to many opinion based attacks in the debate forum and hopefully this will help to slow them down.
i dont visit the debate section that much but now i will, that was really helpfull, and im sure every1 else thinks so too!
My opinion is the most important so I second this, bumping roche down one. good one nemi-up to para, nemi- stole a cara, nemi- is always at the bara, nemi, is a shining stara. ok i'm done.
And yet, I doubt people will actually take the time to format a proper argument. I think that they feel it's easier to post, 'Yur wrong and Im rite, and if you don't believe that im rite, then your stupid!!!'. -_-
-- Guide to Winning Arguments! -- To win an argument when DEFENDING your view, always listen to the attacker and make your point very clearly. Let them talk for a long time, and reply with a couple of sentences. If you do this, it sounds like you know exactly what you are talking about and the other person needs to talk for a long time, when of course you have it all wrapped up from the moment it starts. To win an argument when ATTACKING a persons view, again, as explained in the DEFENDING part, you do the small talk. In every argument try and add a sentence pitying their view, and explaining in a package what you feel. When they begin to shout, or are making very long versions of their view, or begin to bring up examples of something, you know you are winning. Keep up the small talk and the pity, and the argument is your oyster. ~ YMS
I love arguments and debates. It's too bad that we don't have the shoutbox anymore. I had some serious fun arguing/debating with people in there.