Argument

In the workplace, classroom or lecture hall our debates are well structured, well cited and well presented. But in the real world; in the pub, over the dinner table or in the street when we argue we forget our balanced and objective arguments. We forget to back ourselves up with evidence. We forget to detach the argument from the human. Instead we quickly degenerate to pointless personal slights and arguments based on emotion and views. 

A good argument is rational, truthful, logical and follows a clear path. A bad argument attacks character, is threatening and is based upon pointless rhetoric mostly about emotions and beliefs. 

The trick to forming a good argument, wherever you may be, is to listen, keep calm and build upon your previous points. 

Remember, taking a few seconds out to quickly compose your response is more than worth it. Not only do you hit back hard the small pause might give a potentially heated opponent time to cool off; because arguing against an emotional man is harder than arguing against Socrates.