TruthAboveAll
Well-Known Member
For those wanting to debate...
When some of the threads get heated around here, there seems to be a lot of insults, irrationality and even name-calling. Personally, I came here to enjoy the mostly reasonable, civil discussions taking place.
Since so many reference "debating" issues and refuting positions, presenting evidence or facts, etc. I thought I'd share some of the "transferable" rules of competitive debates (CD). Typically debates are physical presence activities, and there are tons of rules and guidelines that simply don't apply in our forum format.
Here are some in a Reader's Digest condensed form:
- ...bad language is not permitted.
- Props not permitted. (In on-line forums like this I should think links to information sources, interesting notes, etc. should be totally acceptable.)
- If a definition is unreasonable or irrelevant then the opposition may challenge the definition.
- You are expected to sum up your argument, and refute the arguments of the opposition.
- Rebuttal is vital in any CD. Any argument left unchallenged is allowed to stand.
- Rebuttal basically involves ripping the opposing sides argument apart and exposing its weak points. However don't forget to make your own argument and ideally use that to rebut.
- Be careful to avoid leaving statements hanging in mid-air. If you say something important back it up. Just because you know something is true and where it came from that doesn't mean others know where it came from and why it's true.
- *Heckling is also common in some CDs. This involves ... good humoured mild abuse ... [but] there is a fine line between heckling and barracking.
- *Barracking is rudely heckling, distracting, insulting, etc. as disagreement without validly participating in CD format.
- *Respect the speaker (aka writer in these forums).- Members may bring up a (motion or) issue which they wish to see debated. (Part of the reason why staying on subject is important. Deviating too far off the original specificity of the issue is distracting and unproductive.)
- You don't have to be a genius for facts and figures to do well. If you can remember an example, or fact which you researched, to back up your argument use it. (In CD's, 'if you think you need a fact, figure or detail but cannot come up with one, try making one up. It can be risky if you get caught by the opposition who actually knows what they are talking about, and is not a substitute for good research.)
- If you can use humor it can be extremely effective in a debate. Don't go over the top. While humor helps most participants will not be impressed by stand up routine with little substance. Remember, while you sincerely try to use humor, it may fall flat in reality.
* These items refer to the audience in competitive debates. Since these forums are totally open, we all make up the audience. At HOP, the heckling, barracking "audience" is the people who jump in to interject an insult, a compliment, or other commentary without contributing to or participating in the debate itself.
I've experienced some frustration, and thought that passing this along might help us all to "share the road" so to speak.
When some of the threads get heated around here, there seems to be a lot of insults, irrationality and even name-calling. Personally, I came here to enjoy the mostly reasonable, civil discussions taking place.
Since so many reference "debating" issues and refuting positions, presenting evidence or facts, etc. I thought I'd share some of the "transferable" rules of competitive debates (CD). Typically debates are physical presence activities, and there are tons of rules and guidelines that simply don't apply in our forum format.
Here are some in a Reader's Digest condensed form:
- ...bad language is not permitted.
- Props not permitted. (In on-line forums like this I should think links to information sources, interesting notes, etc. should be totally acceptable.)
- If a definition is unreasonable or irrelevant then the opposition may challenge the definition.
- You are expected to sum up your argument, and refute the arguments of the opposition.
- Rebuttal is vital in any CD. Any argument left unchallenged is allowed to stand.
- Rebuttal basically involves ripping the opposing sides argument apart and exposing its weak points. However don't forget to make your own argument and ideally use that to rebut.
- Be careful to avoid leaving statements hanging in mid-air. If you say something important back it up. Just because you know something is true and where it came from that doesn't mean others know where it came from and why it's true.
- *Heckling is also common in some CDs. This involves ... good humoured mild abuse ... [but] there is a fine line between heckling and barracking.
- *Barracking is rudely heckling, distracting, insulting, etc. as disagreement without validly participating in CD format.
- *Respect the speaker (aka writer in these forums).- Members may bring up a (motion or) issue which they wish to see debated. (Part of the reason why staying on subject is important. Deviating too far off the original specificity of the issue is distracting and unproductive.)
- You don't have to be a genius for facts and figures to do well. If you can remember an example, or fact which you researched, to back up your argument use it. (In CD's, 'if you think you need a fact, figure or detail but cannot come up with one, try making one up. It can be risky if you get caught by the opposition who actually knows what they are talking about, and is not a substitute for good research.)
- If you can use humor it can be extremely effective in a debate. Don't go over the top. While humor helps most participants will not be impressed by stand up routine with little substance. Remember, while you sincerely try to use humor, it may fall flat in reality.
* These items refer to the audience in competitive debates. Since these forums are totally open, we all make up the audience. At HOP, the heckling, barracking "audience" is the people who jump in to interject an insult, a compliment, or other commentary without contributing to or participating in the debate itself.
I've experienced some frustration, and thought that passing this along might help us all to "share the road" so to speak.
