Initially, what would come to any individual's mind before
understanding what an argument is, is that an argument is a situation where two
or more people are holding two different views and are in a heated quarrel to
oppress each other emotionally, Psychological or even Physically. Which is not arguing
at all.
An Argument
is a formal and rational presentation of premises given to support a
particular conclusion to persuade others to accept one’s claims or position.
The 2 Main Types of Arguments
Inductive Arguments
These are the arguments that start with a particular
observation to draw a general conclusion. They mostly used this type of argumentation in science.
For example,
Premise: There has been
poor food security in Zambia from 2016 to 2021
Conclusion:
Therefore, there will be poor food security in Zambia in 2022.
Deductive Arguments
This is a type of argument that starts with general
facts that aim to prove a particular conclusion. These types of Argumentations
are mostly in Philosophy and mathematics, For example,
Premise 1:
All democratic countries have a president
Premise 2:
Zambia is a democratic country
Conclusion: Therefore, Zambia has a president
Other Types of Arguments Include
The Toulmin argument:
is a sort of argument that is broken down into several elements, such as claim,
reasons, and proof, so that one may judge how effectively the various parts fit
together.
Rogerian argument: is
used to discover the best potential solution to a problem based on all parties'
interests and needs.
An evaluation argument:
is one that is used to establish if something is "good" or
"bad."
A causal argument:
is one that is used to persuade someone or a group of people that one thing
caused another.
A proposal argument:
is one in which an individual suggests a specific resolution to a problem.
The classic Western argument:
is a type of argument which aims to persuade a group of people that an argument
is valid.
Rebuttal argument:
is a type of argument that aims to refute a notion or opinion that has existed
up to this point.
A narrative argument:
is one in which a person makes a point by narrating a story that highlights a
point directly relevant to the argument.
If you would to learn more about these types of
Arguments click here
The Importance of Arguments
· They
are utilized in negotiations.
· They
are used to figure out what the optimal solution is for a problem.
· They
are used to figuring out the extent of the truth.
· They
are used to finding a solution to a problem.
· They
are used to making a judgment.
· They
are used to justifying or explain a viewpoint or particular behaviour.
· They
are used to conveying your point of view.
How To Win an Argument?
1.
Re-examine what victory in an argument is.
Win an argument is not about humiliating your opponent no, but it’s about
getting your opponent to accept and act on what your argument is persuading or
convincing them.
2.
Don’t focus on interpersonal relationships, argue objectively address the problem, not the individual character.
3.
Know your opponent and understand what your
opponent wants and acknowledge what is positive in their argument.
4.
Do a lot of research before you engage
yourself in a particular argument, for example, your argument is based on sexual
harassment in Zambia you should know all the current statistics to do with sexual
harassment in Zambia.
5.
Do not get emotional when the other party
gets upset emotions do not validate points stay calm.
6.
When one attacks you with a general
statement demand for a specific example, for example, your opponent says political
parties in Zambia are corrupt counter this by asking which ones exactly.
7.
Point out the conditions in which you
would agree with your opponent because it might not always be that their argument
is entirely false nor can yours be entirely true no.
8.
Sometimes losing is winning, accepting
defeat and learning some things from the argument to win, also Knowledge wise.
Adapted from:
Indeed, Editorial Team (2021) 8 Types of Arguments and Their Importance. Indeed.
Retrieved here.
Hanna (2017) Types of Arguments [Video]. YouTube. URL here.
Charisma on Command. (2018). 5
Foolproof Ways to Win Any Argument [Video]. YouTube. URL here.
Charisma on Command. (2019). 7
Psychological Tricks to Win Any Argument [Video]. YouTube.
URL here.