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Communication Skills
Argumentation Techniques
I've trained 100s of Executives on how to handle arguments.
Want to stand out?
Master these 13 argument types: 🧵
Want to stand out?
Master these 13 argument types: 🧵
1/ Appeal to Common Sense:
How to identify: The arguer tries to persuade you to accept or reject a claim based on what is apparently "common sense."
Look for keywords like
"Obviously,"
"Naturally,"
"Everyone knows," or
"That's just the way it is."
How to identify: The arguer tries to persuade you to accept or reject a claim based on what is apparently "common sense."
Look for keywords like
"Obviously,"
"Naturally,"
"Everyone knows," or
"That's just the way it is."
Examples:
“People who go to Ivy League schools obviously get a better education.”
"Everyone knows Lily is a perfectionist"
"No one got the raise this year. That's just the way it is."
“People who go to Ivy League schools obviously get a better education.”
"Everyone knows Lily is a perfectionist"
"No one got the raise this year. That's just the way it is."
2/ Appeal to Ridicule:
How to identify: The arguer tries to persuade you by misrepresenting an argument in a way that it appears
- stupid, or
- unworthy of serious discussion.
Look for keywords like
"foolish,"
"stupid,"
"ridiculous," or
"crazy."
How to identify: The arguer tries to persuade you by misrepresenting an argument in a way that it appears
- stupid, or
- unworthy of serious discussion.
Look for keywords like
"foolish,"
"stupid,"
"ridiculous," or
"crazy."
Examples:
'If Einstein is right that would mean that when I drive my car it gets shorter and heavier. That's crazy!"
"It was ridiculous to go with a candidate with the least qualification"
'If Einstein is right that would mean that when I drive my car it gets shorter and heavier. That's crazy!"
"It was ridiculous to go with a candidate with the least qualification"
3/ Self-Sealing:
How to identify: When the arguer uses an unfalsifiable assertion that cannot be refuted by counter-arguments or proof.
Most superstitious beliefs are based on self-sealing, which is why people hesitate to let go of them.
Ex: "Wherever you go, there you are”
How to identify: When the arguer uses an unfalsifiable assertion that cannot be refuted by counter-arguments or proof.
Most superstitious beliefs are based on self-sealing, which is why people hesitate to let go of them.
Ex: "Wherever you go, there you are”
4/ Appeal to Emotion:
How to identify: When someone employs emotion instead of logic to win an argument.
Media often use emotional appeals to persuade and manipulate.
Ex: FOMO - "You only live once!”
How to identify: When someone employs emotion instead of logic to win an argument.
Media often use emotional appeals to persuade and manipulate.
Ex: FOMO - "You only live once!”
5/ Appeal to Authority:
How to identify: When an arguer insists that a thing is true solely because an expert says so.
But just because an authority or expert says something doesn't make it true.
Ex: Warren Buffett says:
“Bitcoin has no unique value, it’s a delusion."
How to identify: When an arguer insists that a thing is true solely because an expert says so.
But just because an authority or expert says something doesn't make it true.
Ex: Warren Buffett says:
“Bitcoin has no unique value, it’s a delusion."
6/ Appeal to Popularity:
How to identify: When someone tries to convince you to believe something because most people believe it.
Wide acceptance does not imply validity or truth.
Ex: “50 Million people can’t be wrong!”
How to identify: When someone tries to convince you to believe something because most people believe it.
Wide acceptance does not imply validity or truth.
Ex: “50 Million people can’t be wrong!”
7/ Circular Logic:
How to identify: When an argument presupposes what it is seeking to establish.
This fallacy is often quite humorous.
Ex: “I know he isn't lying since he said so.”
How to identify: When an argument presupposes what it is seeking to establish.
This fallacy is often quite humorous.
Ex: “I know he isn't lying since he said so.”
8/ Appeal to Motive:
How to identify: An appeal to motive happens when you attack the arguer's motives rather than the argument itself.
Motives can lead to bias, but it doesn't mean an argument is wrong.
Ex: "You're telling people to invest in Bitcoin because you own it!"
How to identify: An appeal to motive happens when you attack the arguer's motives rather than the argument itself.
Motives can lead to bias, but it doesn't mean an argument is wrong.
Ex: "You're telling people to invest in Bitcoin because you own it!"
9/ Appeal to Consequences:
How to identify: A belief must be true or untrue if the implications are good or unfavourable.
Ex: “The stock market will go up this year; a lot of people would lose money if it didn’t.”
How to identify: A belief must be true or untrue if the implications are good or unfavourable.
Ex: “The stock market will go up this year; a lot of people would lose money if it didn’t.”
10/ Appeal to Coincidence:
How to identify: When someone claims that something happened due to coincidence, despite strong evidence.
Ex: "Sure, the product wasn't profitable this quarter, but it's still a great product"
How to identify: When someone claims that something happened due to coincidence, despite strong evidence.
Ex: "Sure, the product wasn't profitable this quarter, but it's still a great product"
11/ Appeal to Antiquity:
how to identify: "When someone claims that something is correct or right because it has always been done that way.”
No one will confess they've spent centuries mindlessly believing or doing dumb things.
Ex: "We have to comply with our manager's orders"
how to identify: "When someone claims that something is correct or right because it has always been done that way.”
No one will confess they've spent centuries mindlessly believing or doing dumb things.
Ex: "We have to comply with our manager's orders"
12/ Appeal to Credentials:
How to identify: When someone ignores an argument because the person making it lacks qualifications in the field.
A valid point does not require a Ph.D. or a multi-billion dollar enterprise.
Ex: "He's just a junior co-ordinator"
How to identify: When someone ignores an argument because the person making it lacks qualifications in the field.
A valid point does not require a Ph.D. or a multi-billion dollar enterprise.
Ex: "He's just a junior co-ordinator"
13/ Appeal to Ignorance:
How to identify: When someone claims that a conclusion is true due to a lack of proof.
Ex: "You can prove that you're innocent, therefore you're guilty to me"
How to identify: When someone claims that a conclusion is true due to a lack of proof.
Ex: "You can prove that you're innocent, therefore you're guilty to me"
Conclusion:
Disagreements can occur for many different causes.
The best way to prevent unnecessary argument is to,
1st- identify the type of argument.
2nd- refocus on the issues
3rd- clarify your positions, and then
4th- come to a better resolution
Disagreements can occur for many different causes.
The best way to prevent unnecessary argument is to,
1st- identify the type of argument.
2nd- refocus on the issues
3rd- clarify your positions, and then
4th- come to a better resolution
TL;DR (1)
1/ Appeal to Common Sense:
2/ Appeal to Ridicule:
3/ Self-Sealing:
4/ Appeal to Emotion:
5/ Appeal to Authority:
6/ Appeal to Popularity:
1/ Appeal to Common Sense:
2/ Appeal to Ridicule:
3/ Self-Sealing:
4/ Appeal to Emotion:
5/ Appeal to Authority:
6/ Appeal to Popularity:
Tl;DR (2)
7/ Circular Logic:
8/ Appeal to Motive:
9/ Appeal to Consequences:
10/ Appeal to Coincidence:
11/ Appeal to Antiquity:
12/ Appeal to Credentials:
13/ Appeal to Ignorance:
7/ Circular Logic:
8/ Appeal to Motive:
9/ Appeal to Consequences:
10/ Appeal to Coincidence:
11/ Appeal to Antiquity:
12/ Appeal to Credentials:
13/ Appeal to Ignorance:
Those were 13 bad argument types.
If you enjoyed reading it then consider Following me @VibhorChandel for more threads on:
-Leadership skills
-Communication hacks
-High Performing Teams.
Subscribe to My YouTube Channel
youtube.com
If you enjoyed reading it then consider Following me @VibhorChandel for more threads on:
-Leadership skills
-Communication hacks
-High Performing Teams.
Subscribe to My YouTube Channel
youtube.com
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