Tuesday 13 January 2009

How do I bolster my arguments and demerit my opponents?

Bolster:
- Respond with hard facts even if not relevant to the question. Use terms to make opponent appear aggressive
The facts are hard and fast, since 1999 1000 Palestine nationals have died as a direct result of Israeli aggression.

- Personalise the response using emotion. Ask if it would be acceptable for them?
How Would you feel if your daughter, mother and child were one day innocently murdered without a chance for you to say good bye. Would you accept this?

- Get them to agree on something adjacent to your argument.
You do agree that the killing of young, innocent children is wrong .. DON'T YOU?
(If answer no - end of argument)
(if answer yes - use it to bring in adjacent argument)


Then why should the Israelis be allowed to murder young innocent children.
Demerit:
- Dismiss the opponents claims by showing they are not a member of the most authorative group on the subject by asking them blankly.

Are you a doctor? Well you are not exactly the most credible authority on the subject then right?
(if respond - "well I am")
Oh, so you are a doctor then?

- Dismiss the opponents claims by showing they are against something the audience supports. Ask them if that is what they really want to put them in defensive mode.

Your proposal will damage thousands of trees in forests accross the globe. Is that what you want?

So you don't believe collaboration is a good thing??

Let me know if you do not believe we are worth the £5 per week cost of additional training??

Winner:
- Gets crowd on side
- Gets the opponent to get angry

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