How to Win Every Argument (Even if You Are Wrong)

winning an argument is not about being right but knowing how to communicate strategically after many defeats I’ve discovered 10 powerful methods for dominating any argument and not only that I will make a tier list to help you understand which methods work best method one Judo technique there is one thing I can guarantee will happen during any discussion your opponent will attack you your arguments or both typically the discussion follows a script you both make your points and critic the others but this is where strategic thinking comes in like a judoka some time ago I read this book that explains this concept very well the best thing to do is to use his own energy against him conceding an argument here and there and then say there is one point that doesn’t convince me and I want to contest it don’t be afraid to admit where they’re right because that gives you the confidence to point out where they’re wrong with this unexpected concession you will dampen his energy we often see obession as a sign of weakness it is not it is a sign of strength and confidence it shows others that you are open-minded and that you are not an inflexible ideologue I put this method in C because it doesn’t give you real control over the discussion method two Socrates technique Socrates use this method to expose contradictions in people’s thinking making them question their own beliefs instead of jumping in with your own opinion right away you can ask questions that none judge the other person to think more critically about their stance if you are good in school you will always get a good job so you think people with high grades are automatically more competent don’t you think other skills are also needed by doing this they’ll start to see the cracks in their argument it’s a classic Socratic move solid but I’d rank it a b method three hypnotic language the words you use carry a lot of weight try swapping out you with I feel it makes you come across less defensive watch how it changes the vibe bro you small bad what I feel frustrated by your smell you’re right bro see the difference also throwing in some implied statements or rhetorical questions can get the other person to agree with you without them even realizing it saying something like of course we all know this makes the most sense it makes your point feel like a done deal and the other person is less likely to challenge it oh and don’t forget to give that in Maniac look I put this method in B method four contrast effect imagine you’re in a debate with someone who totally disagrees with you if you start with something exaggerated your next proposal will seem immediately more reasonable I’d put this method in the C category though because it’s really only useful in situations where you’re negotiating or trying to find a middle ground method five information bombing if you hit someone with a ton of facts and numbers they’re probably going to feel overwhelmed and start doubting their own beliefs have you considered the 20% failure rate the data on the current market the feedback from experts a flood of information can leave the other person unable to respond to every single statement making it seem like you are in total control of the situation this method is clearly in the a range method six Gish Gallop the goal of this method is the same as the previous one but with a Twist the information you present can be half truths or even total false this method follows brandolini’s law which says the amount of energy needed to disprove is greater than the energy needed to create it now if you’re on the receiving end of a Gish Gallop don’t waste your time trying to debunk every half-truth they throw at you instead reveal exactly the strategy they’re using then focus on the weakest argument and destroy it I put the Gish Gallop in B because the use of falsehoods can undermine your credibility method seven change of focus this method is also known as the red herring and it was made famous by the English palmist William cobit back in 1807 when you feel like you’re losing ground you throw in a distraction to shift attention away from the main issue the distracting element can easily be one of these logical fallacies I wrote about this allows you to stall and disorient your opponent so yeah I’d say this method definitely earns an a method8 coherence principle people usually stick to their views right so if you can get them to agree on a small Point first you can use that same consistency to guide them toward a bigger idea if we agree that a is true then we can’t ignore that b is The Logical Next Step once your opponent has agreed to a small point it’s harder for them to backtrack on something bigger if you find an opponent who totally disagrees it is difficult to get him to accept some points of the argument that is why I put it in B method nine rule of three people tend to perceive groups of three elements as complete and easy to understand if something happens once it’s just an isolated incident twice it’s a coincidence by the third time you start seeing it as a pattern and believe it’s true so if someone asks you why you did something give three reasons if they ask for your opinion give three points the idea is simple the number three brings structure Clarity and makes your argument more convincing that’s why I definitely give this method an a method 10 Lightning Fast jokes lightning jokes are used to throw off an opponent or shut down their argument leaving them speechless and that’s exactly what a perfectly executed replica does it takes advantage of a vulnerable moment to flip the conversation in your favor the best lines are short Punchy and said at the right moment in the argument like these that’s why they’re often called onliners I put this method on the C list because it doesn’t allow you to win the debate but it does allow you to raise the bar in the discussion in your favor each method relies on a different different communication strategy but it’s super important to keep in mind that the right approach really depends on who you’re talking to and the situation you’re in everyone reacts differently to different communication Styles in the end the ability to adapt to the situation is what will really make a difference in the success of your discussion