by new hope and happiness 39 Replies latest watchtower bible
I would love to be able to debate some of the issues on this site.
This is the first site i have debated on.
I would like to debate with credibility.
I think i debate on only what i feel secure about, and that is a good start.
But on this thread i would appreciate some tips on how to constrctively debate on a thread.
I'm an English/History teacher so I do this stuff all the time-
The way to structure a written arguement:
Introduction Main topic: state argument and delineate your main points
Body paragraphs:
Topic/point
Explain topic/point
Evidence to back up
Explain evidence
Link to next point
Repeat TEEEL structure for each point in the body of your argument
Conclusion: pull all your points together and show how they support your argument.
Hope this helps.
We also have some legal professionals on this site, and they'd be able to construct a higher level argument than the basic structure I propose for high school students. Mind you, the structure's the same, but the level of analysis and discussion would be deeper. Then there's all the techniques of persuasion too.
Nice example, Julia. It works for high school and college as well.
Sure does! Works for any written argument really, and the further you get in your education the more adept you become, and you can really make the genre work for you, and go as deep as you like.
Thanks Julia.....i think your advice might be what it takes as someone credible enough to do lectures. I have noticed in your posts a pleasant personality and i think this is important. I noticed a lot of debating on this site can become controversial, and i love it when posters use comedy to get there message across.
Also a pleasant debate requires thinking on each posters viewpoint. Thinking is its own reward. Something we were denied as witnesses.
Amen. And never forget humour, and another thing I've learned from life in general is not to take yourself too seriously...because other people sure as hell don't!
OMG I mean "you" as in second person plural hypothetical, not "you" as in you, New Hope and Happiness personally!
thought I'd clear that up.
We probably all need to consider avoiding the logical fallacies used and taught by the Watchtower.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda#Techniques
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logical_fallacies
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fallacies
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/rhetorical-fallacy.php
At any rate JWN is a great place for learning, developing and moderating - because one is challenged to communicate in a clear, understandable and correct way - especially when misunderstood, or when others have a different viewpoint.
Yes, one must carefully consider their written word here, as you saw with my use of the word 'you' which can have multiple connotations. The main point with an argument/discussion is to back up your points with solid evidence, and if you can include a reference to it ie who wrote it, which book or site, that shows you are not just making assertions and have researched and thought out your thesis.
