How to win an argument

In this post, I’m going to give you some techniques on how to win an argument regardless of which side you’re on and even if you’re on the bad side.

Before we start, I want to say that there are no right or wrong sides. I just want to talk about some persuasive techniques that can help you win an argument.

First, getting well-informed about the subject beforehand is especially important. However, in this post, we will focus more on the strategies you can use instead of your preparation.

Which are the tactics to win an argument?

Identify what is not an argument
Avoid sensitization
Ask for specific details
Be informed about your arguments
Talk about facts and not about abstract things
Specify the conditions to be fulfilled to agree with your opponent
Keep calm

1. Identify what is not an argument

The first great tactic is to identify everything that does not constitute an argument. You should know how to identify this because not everything that sounds very persuasive constitutes a valid argument.

For example, when you see an advertisement for a product and they tell you that out of ten people, nine recommend that product. That doesn’t prove anything. It’s just an argument from authority.

You have to realize that despite being attractive, you don’t have enough evidence to know whether it’s a useful product or not. Therefore, the same thing applies to discussions. If someone appeals to an argument from authority, you must expose that persuasive technique.

2. Avoid sensitization

Another common tactic that is not a valid argument but can be used against you is to get emotional about something. Often, the other person does not do this on purpose, but it usually happens when the other person gets irritated or doesn’t feel confident anymore.

When you unintentionally or unintentionally offend another person, he may say he felt offended. Obviously, to win an argument, you have to be respectful to everyone, but sometimes in the heat of the moment, it happens.

Consequently, when another person says they felt offended, you should smartly stay out of her game and say that doesn’t make them right.

Remember, you never have to be rough, and you should try to keep your charm. But be aware that by saying this, some people will get frustrated.

3. Ask for specific details

When you are discussing, asking for specific details is a fantastic way to win an argument.

People usually cling to very vague ideas with a lot of conviction. And that’s why they can’t articulate exactly the ideas they are trying to convey. This happens to me in all sorts of discussions, at work, with friends, or with family.

Therefore, when you identify this habit, you should ask for concrete examples of what the other person is trying to demonstrate. You just need to use your creativity to counteract this type of practice.

It is particularly important not to fall into the trap of fighting purely vague arguments. Because if you try to defend yourself against these types of arguments, it’s as if you accept them and let them introduce into the discussion.

So, as I said, ask the person to present exactly concrete examples.

4. Be informed about your arguments

How win an argument also involves knowing exactly what you are talking about. So, you shouldn’t waste time trying to defend things that don’t need a lot of support. You should waste time trying to defend the things that need to be shown for what they are.

You also need to know that you can recognize and agree with some of your opponent’s arguments. Sometimes it seems obvious and easy to apply, but it can be difficult when the other person is insulting you.

But you have to consider that when the other offends you, it’s probably because you are winning the discussion. That’s why you shouldn’t care what the other is talking about you.

5. Talk about facts and not about abstract things

Talking about concrete things, instead of rambling on abstract things, makes your argument much more solid. To do this, whenever you bring an argument into play, you must demonstrate it with an example.

It doesn’t need to be a super strong and illustrative example of the situation, just needs to be demonstrating what you’re saying.

It is always extremely useful to use this tactic when you want to persuade or teach something. In all our How-to posts, we have illustrated what we say with some examples so that the information is more understandable. It’s a strategy that many people use.

In conjunction with this strategy, if you add a bit of humor to something in particular that you are saying, your speech becomes even more persuasive. This happens because many people will laugh and end up getting distracted and forgetting to assess whether they agree with you or not.

6. Specify the conditions to be fulfilled to agree with your opponent

Exposing your conditions to reach an agreement with your opponent is important to win an argument. This is when your charisma has to come to the fore.

When you do it with good intentions, this is a wonderful way to reach a consensus and end the debate.

But as I said at the beginning of the post that it is possible to win the argument even being on the bad side of the situation. If you are in this circumstance, remember that you can also use these strategies to take the opponent’s focus and win the debate.

By this, I mean that when you are the one to establish the conditions to reach an agreement, this plays a lot in your favor. Your opponent focuses more on trying to meet your conditions than exactly showing that he is right.

7. Keep calm

The last tip is to stay calm during the discussion and show that you are not there to be upset.

When people get more frustrated, they raise their voices and talk faster. With that frustration, the ability to change your mind and be balanced becomes even more blocked.

This reaction becomes quite noticeable when you and another person start to run over each other’s speech. In this kind of situation, no matter how good your argument is, it will most likely not be well received.

Consequently, the first thing to do is to slow down the conversation and dictate the pace of the rest of the debate or discussion. Making it clear that it is not necessary to fight shows that you are a man or a woman with great charisma.

Therefore, the aim is to reduce the tension of the moment so that your argument is heard and accepted. An amazingly effective and proven method to apply when you feel the situation has gotten out of hand is to simply take a deep breath before you start talking. It really helps to slow things down.