by Marcie Maier

Created on: April 29, 2009

To understand how to debate effectively, one should examine the reasons people debate in the first place. If you can keep these three concepts in mind while in a debate, you can avoid getting in a fight.

Firstly, the obvious reason is that humans develop opinions about controversial issues on mental and emotional levels. One has to keep in mind that their opponent in the debate feels that their own contentions are valid, just as you feel about your own reasoning. Remembering that the issue you are arguing about has the potential to be personal, and that the disputant could be easily hurt if you degrade their stance on the issue. An important strategy to use in a debate that avoids confronting your opponent's opinion as inadequate is the supporting of your own opinion with facts and logic, instead of dismantling the other debater's reasoning.

Secondly, humans are, by nature, unaccustomed to dealing with contradiction of those opinions. The person you are debating will either be entirely prepared to argue the issue, or uncertain of how to defend their beliefs. The first option may seem knowledgeable, but it's important to keep in mind that even if they have prepared responses for your argument, they still have strong feelings about the issue. The other scenario is when your opponent isn't ready to handle the idea of discussing what they believe: their opinion is their own, not to be universally accepted. Keep the debate impersonal enough not to hurt their feelings, but personal enough to keep their feelings in mind when speaking.

Thirdly, humans sometimes feel they can impose on their opponent's viewpoint and change their opinion (or at least the opinions of those witnessing the debate). If this is the case, you're dealing with a person who believe their opinion holds more weight in society. The debate may never end if they're determined to impose on your stance. To avoid getting into a fight, you should stand firm on your opinion, but accept that theirs might have some benefits. This will satisfy their need to prove their point, but additionally it will allow you to express your own successfully.

Allow this guide to be flexible: if you are debating a particularly sensitive person, you should be extremely concerned with their reactions and feelings. Likewise, if you are debating impersonally, it is more prudent to make your thoughts clear and understand theirs.

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