How to Win an Argument
You can win an argument fair and square if you have a few facts and these techniques.
Up next in How to Improve Your Communication Skills (68 videos)
Whether you're dealing with friends, family, a lover, or co-workers, you'll benefit from the communication skills taught in this Howcast video series.
You Will Need
- The focus of an attack dog
- A good memory
- Humility
- The will to exaggerate
Steps
-
Step 1
Don't back off
Don't back down. Calmly document your points with objective facts.
-
Step 2
Disarm opponent
Disarm your opponent by asking clarifying questions and using their answers against them.
-
Step 3
Cross-examine
Cross-examine the other person and let them tie themselves up in their own logic. Once you threaten their ego, you have them on the ropes.
-
Step 4
Keep track of failed points
Keep track of your opponent's failure to rebut certain points and state these at the end as proof of their agreement with your position.
-
Make mental notes during the argument of points your opponent can't refute.
-
Step 5
Show humility
Admit your own mistakes and keep an open mind if you want to be taken seriously. Let them save face so you find commonalities that make them think your point was their idea.
-
It's best not to try to bring up something you cannot prove, or it could undermine all your other points.
-
Step 6
Use one weak position to discredit all positions
Refute their weakest point, and declare this as proof that all their opinions on this topic are faulty.
-
Did you know? Aristotle's logical works are the earliest formal study of logic.
