Hey everybody...this is a direct copy and paste I got from a post at another forum I go to. I think it might be helpful / applicable to the politics forum here at hofo. It's just meant to be food for thought, these aren't hard-and-fast rules, so don't get the wrong idea. It's geared toward a debate forum, which is applicable in a lot of ways to what goes on in the politics forum.
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Tips for debating:
- Avoid the use of Never.
- Avoid the use of Always.
- Refrain from saying you are wrong.
- You can say your idea is mistaken.
- Don't disagree with obvious truths.
- Attack the idea not the person.
- Use many rather than most.
- Avoid exaggeration.
- Use some rather than many.
- The use of "often" allows for exceptions.
- The use of "generally" allows for exceptions.
- Quote sources and numbers.
- If it is just an opinion, admit it.
- Do not present opinion as facts.
- Smile when disagreeing.
- Stress the positive.
- You do not need to win every battle to win the war.
- Concede minor or trivial points.
- Avoid bickering, quarreling, and wrangling.
- Watch your tone of voice.
- Don't win a debate and lose a friend.
- Keep your perspective - You're just debating.
Some comical tips on what NOT to do:
• Turn someone's generality into an absolute. For example, if someone makes a general statement that Americans celebrate Christmas, point out that some people are Jewish and so anyone who thinks that ALL Americans celebrate Christmas is stupid. (Bonus points for accusing the person of being anti-Semitic.)
• Turn someone's factual statements into implied preferences. For example, if someone mentions that not all Catholic priests are pedophiles, accuse the person of siding with pedophiles.
• Turn factual statements into implied equivalents. For example, if someone says that Ghandi didn't eat cows, accuse the person of stupidly implying that cows deserve equal billing with Gandhi.
• Omit key words. For example, if someone says that people can't eat rocks, accuse the person of being stupid for suggesting that people can't eat. Bonus points for arguing that some people CAN eat pebbles if they try hard enough.
• Assume the dumbest interpretation. For example, if someone says that he can run a mile in 12 minutes, assume he means it happens underwater and argue that no one can hold his breath that long.
• Hallucinate entirely different points. For example, if someone says apples grow on trees, accuse him of saying snakes have arms and then point out how stupid that is.
• Use the intellectual laziness card. For example, if someone says that ice is cold, recommend that he take graduate courses in chemistry and meteorology before jumping to stupid conclusions that display a complete ignorance of the complexity of ice.
Remember, we all hold deeply rooted opinions and beliefs. so be respectful. The Golden Rule would be applicable. Don't win a debate at the cost of losing a friend!
Some other things to consider:
- If you do not want to debate, then don't.
- If you don't like the way a debate is going. Stop reading it. Just read the multitude of other topics on this forum.
- Debating is the opportunity to get information on a subject in order to help form an opinion. it is, first and foremost,
THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN!!
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Originally Posted by i0wnj00
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