1. Attack arguments, not people.  You are never arguing with that person's ability to have an opinion, you are arguing with the claim itself. 

 

2. Engage with different perspectives other than your own. If you want your argument to be recognized by others you have to also recognize others. If someone disagrees with you, deal with it maturely.

 

3. If you make a claim, be prepared to provide evidence for reasons your argument should be accepted. Additionally, make sure your resources actually support your argument. Use your sources critically and evaluate them for bias.

 

4. Rules of Evidence (Cont.)

If online, link to the direct version of your evidence, not evidence that has been altered by additional opinion.

 

5. Slurs and insults should always be avoided. Additionally, improper labeling should be looked out for. Don't call someone negative names/terms because you disagree with their argument.

 

6. Focus on the argument at hand. When debating, it's very easy to get off track and bring the argument to a different focus other than the original debate. This is a logical fallacy called a "Red Herring". Avoid these to argue more effectively.

 

7. Constructive Criticism is constructive. If you disagree with someone's point of reasoning or conclusion, offer how it can be improved or alternative lines of thought.

 

8. Identify your assumptions. They may be invisible to us, but they undergird our worldview. Once you identify your assumptions you are able to recognize any bias that could permeate and complicate the argument.

 

9. In fair fights, don't interrupt, but listen. Your ideological opponents want to feel like they’ve been heard. In talking about their own views and experiences, people engage in what psychologists call "active processing." The idea is that people receive opposing arguments more effectively when they come to the conclusion themselves

 

10. If the argument isn't fair, know when to exit. You can't change everyone's mind, however, you can say farewell to a conversation going nowhere. Let the other person know politely that you are exhausted, if perhaps not convinced. If someone else chooses to leave, let them. It still doesn't define a winner or loser.  Keeping the rules of exit fair encourage healthy entrances to debate.