2006-08-10 18:35:45 · 10 answers · asked by Atty 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Be logical and take your feelings out of it, if possible. Use the facts and back them up with good arguments. That is the best you can do. Remember that. Argue with facts, not feelings.
2006-08-10 18:42:05 · answer #1 · answered by Adam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People lose debates because they fall into word traps built by the other party. Word traps are designed to enable them to control you. Instead of fully responding, you need to learn "cutoffs" which are quick short responses designed to discredit the word trap, then quickly engage, with your own word trap. This technique will often work, because most people involved in argumentation and debate only lightly understand this technique. If you discredit without quality, your response benefits your counterpart, so you MUST learn to discredit with believability. A great example was the famous Jimmy Carter/Ronald Reagan debates. Carter would say some pretty trappish statements designed to control Reagan's thoughts, but Reagan would say things like "now there you go..." and a second time he said "There you go again". Very calmly, and in a very condescending fashion whereby the audience viewed Reagan as being confidently superior and therefore in a superior level of knowledge, whereas the truth was that he admitted in later years that this was a technique designed to thwart controlling comments and then to take control. That is what a debate is all about. Making your point is fairly easy, but making sure that the other person doesn't control your actions is a whole different kettle of fish. Quickly discredit with confidence and do the same to the other person. Good lesson here.
2006-08-11 01:45:37 · answer #2 · answered by aminomaniac 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I'm in the middle of a heated argument and I feel like I'm close to losing my temper, I'll do the following:
1. Correct their English - it's arrogant and annoying and will get their mind thinking in another direction. Women especially hate this.
2. Yawn while I'm talking to them - as if what they're saying is boring and unimportant.
3. After they spew a long, drawn-out sentence and think they're making a point, come back and say "huh?" as if you didn't hear them - that way, they'll either have to repeat the entire thing, or say 'oh, nevermind.'
4. Tell them you could have a more intelligent conversation with a wall - straight to the point and insulting. I love it.
5. Remind them to brush their teeth because their breath smells like warm garbage - another great insulting comeback. Another one of my favorites.
6. Tell them you're getting bored and are ending the conversation. Explain how you prefer to have a challenge when you're arguing and they're just not coming through for you.
I've lost my temper a few times while arguing, especially when I start to lose...but that's where the insults and annoyances come in. Even if they're winning the argument, you can still belittle them and come away a winner - you just take a different road to do it.
2006-08-11 01:48:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you come across someone that is truly trying to be mean to you and get a rise out of you, the best thing to do is just get away from that person. Tell them that you feel that you'd rather not talk about the issue at hand and simply walk away. Be polite, but get away. And sometimes you might come across a person that really is sincere and just wants to talk to you. While you might not agree with this person, it's best to listen to them and then politely say That you would like to take the 5th on this one.
2006-08-11 02:07:50 · answer #4 · answered by SecretUser 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Consider everyone right and no one is wrong. If that doesn't work, then take a deep breath and consider you'll loose the debate if you don't keep a cool head and listen to the facts that are not presented well.
2006-08-11 01:46:59 · answer #5 · answered by sakura4eternity 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure you're in a situation where the other person has to... or has agreed to... listen to your whole point, and will not speak until yo'ure finished... and you will do the same for them... When you feel like you're able to get your entire point across... you'll find it hard to get upset... if the other person isn't willing to take this approach... they're not worth having the discussion with...
2006-08-11 01:57:52 · answer #6 · answered by wannabesparky 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep your cool. Listen to what the other person is saying and don't take anything they say as personal. Pay close attention to detail so you will have a calm and collected answer when it is your turn to speak. Don't interrupt the other speaker, but if they interrupt you, ask them very nicely if they wouldn't be so rude as to interrupt, please. I hope this helps.
2006-08-11 01:50:55 · answer #7 · answered by organic gardener 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By remembering that by "losing your head", will only make you look "too emotional".(and you'll regret it later, if you do lose you head)..it's better to keep your cool, and argue the facts, in a professional, but determined manner.
2006-08-11 01:44:50 · answer #8 · answered by bikerbun 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't take anything personal. Look at the points the other person is making as facts. Take careful note and make sure you rebut each one with solid facts.
2006-08-11 01:39:32 · answer #9 · answered by sshazzam 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when someone is going on and on on a topic and you disagree, ask them what is your source?
Keep asking them why do they feel like that, and by whose authority did they come to that conclusion,,
and then say.. you are "PROBABLY RIGHT" AND SMILE,
2006-08-11 01:45:07 · answer #10 · answered by Maureen K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋