How to Argue Your Point

<h1>How to Argue Your Point</h1>Author: <a title="Peter Harris" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/peter-harris/52221.htm">Peter Harris</a> Most of us are never taught how to argue your point effectively so we can reach a productive outcome.  Often times we argue in a destructive manner and don't resovle our conflicts because of it.  Until you discover how to argue your point effectively you can cause significant damage to your relationships, both business and personal.  Here are some guidelines on how to argue your point.
1.  Keep the argument targeted on the specifics.  Always stick to the key points of the argument.  This is not the time to bring up past events or situations.  Stay in the present.  
2.  Only discuss the facts of the present argument.  Be sure you understand the facts of the present dispute and only discuss those facts. 
3.  Don't take the argument personally.  It is easy to let our emotions take over and let the argument get personal.  Focus on the facts and the main goal of the argument - that is to reach a resolution.
4.  Appreciate the fact that disagreements will happen and there may be more than one point of view.  Yours is not the only point of view.  If it was you wouldn't be having an argument.  Don't deny the other party there feelings or thoughts.  They are just as important as yours.
5.  Remain open and accepting of an opposing view.  Keep an open mind when engaged in an argument.  There will ultimately be view points that you don't agree with.  Again, it's not personal.  Everyone has a right to their own view.  Accept that and arguing will become much less stressful for all those involved.
6.  Be sure that you understand what the argument is about before engaging in the argument.  Don't get drawn into a heated debate until you have all the facts of the situation.  It is too easy to take a defensive posture when you don't have all the facts.  No one wants to be made a fool of.  When we are caught off guard we have a tendency to act like we know more than we do to save face.  It's better to listen to their side, ask questions and don't comment until you know the whole story.
7.  Always question a faulty premise.  If an argument or fact doesn't seem right don't be afraid to question it.  Don't accept it at face value just because the other person says it is so. 
8.  Recognize how precise language can be.  Be careful of the words that you use.  Some words have a very specific meaning while others offer various interpretations.  You want to speak as precisely as you can to be sure your meaning is clear.
9.  Use affirmative statements when arguing, not passive.  Passive arguments are not convincing.  They make your point of view seem weaker and insignificant.  Passive statements cause you to appear less confident in your conviction for what you are arguing. 
10. Explain your thoughts and views clearly while staying focused on the present argument.  This is easiest to do if you remain calm, don't get frazzled.  Think before you speak.  Remember point #8 (how precise language can be).  Your point can be argued and accepted much easier when your thoughts are clearly expressed. 
Keeping these 10 points in mind will allow you to argue your point most effectively and help you achieve much greater success in your relationships. About the Author: Are you interested in learning more about how to argue your point in a relationship? Click here to receive my new free ebook: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.whymenleaveus.com/reactnegativeemotions">Argue Your Point</a> 
 
Peter Harris is a health care professional and author and writes frequently about relationships.Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/dating-articles/how-to-argue-your-point-498079.html" title="How to Argue Your Point">How to Argue Your Point</a>

Most of us are never taught how to argue your point effectively so we can reach a productive outcome. Often times we argue in a destructive manner and don't resovle our conflicts because of it. Until you discover how to argue your point effectively you can cause significant damage to your relationships, both business and personal. Here are some guidelines on how to argue your point.

1. Keep the argument targeted on the specifics. Always stick to the key points of the argument. This is not the time to bring up past events or situations. Stay in the present.

2. Only discuss the facts of the present argument. Be sure you understand the facts of the present dispute and only discuss those facts.

3. Don't take the argument personally. It is easy to let our emotions take over and let the argument get personal. Focus on the facts and the main goal of the argument - that is to reach a resolution.

4. Appreciate the fact that disagreements will happen and there may be more than one point of view. Yours is not the only point of view. If it was you wouldn't be having an argument. Don't deny the other party there feelings or thoughts. They are just as important as yours.

5. Remain open and accepting of an opposing view. Keep an open mind when engaged in an argument. There will ultimately be view points that you don't agree with. Again, it's not personal. Everyone has a right to their own view. Accept that and arguing will become much less stressful for all those involved.

6. Be sure that you understand what the argument is about before engaging in the argument. Don't get drawn into a heated debate until you have all the facts of the situation. It is too easy to take a defensive posture when you don't have all the facts. No one wants to be made a fool of. When we are caught off guard we have a tendency to act like we know more than we do to save face. It's better to listen to their side, ask questions and don't comment until you know the whole story.

7. Always question a faulty premise. If an argument or fact doesn't seem right don't be afraid to question it. Don't accept it at face value just because the other person says it is so.

8. Recognize how precise language can be. Be careful of the words that you use. Some words have a very specific meaning while others offer various interpretations. You want to speak as precisely as you can to be sure your meaning is clear.

9. Use affirmative statements when arguing, not passive. Passive arguments are not convincing. They make your point of view seem weaker and insignificant. Passive statements cause you to appear less confident in your conviction for what you are arguing.

10. Explain your thoughts and views clearly while staying focused on the present argument. This is easiest to do if you remain calm, don't get frazzled. Think before you speak. Remember point #8 (how precise language can be). Your point can be argued and accepted much easier when your thoughts are clearly expressed.

Keeping these 10 points in mind will allow you to argue your point most effectively and help you achieve much greater success in your relationships.

Are you interested in learning more about how to argue your point in a relationship? Click here to receive my new free ebook: Argue Your Point

Peter Harris is a health care professional and author and writes frequently about relationships.

Rate this Article:

4 / 5 stars - 1 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Related Articles
Related Q&A

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/dating-articles/how-to-argue-your-point-498079.html

Article Tags: How To Argue Your Point

Latest Dating Articles
More from Peter Harris

Why California Singles Should not be so

By: Francis Githinji | 06/07/2009
The more you meet many California singles from your city or town, the more you get to enjoy the best of dating and relationships. The singles in California are rising in dreadful numbers. These have been attributed to the many facts that have made them to find scant dates. For anybody who wants to meet singles, anytime that he or she so wishes, the choice is arguably his and there is nothing much that can come out of that.

Lesbian and Gay Cruises Redefining the California Singles Scene

By: Francis Githinji | 06/07/2009
The California singles dating scene for both gays and lesbians has received a huge boost from the cruise franchise. They now have a better chance to start towards fulfilling their needs and having the best in their lives come their way. The many cruise destinations for gays and lesbians have attested to the fact that it is finding huge response from the gay men and women, where they are redefining their lifestyle and having the best of intimate unwinding experiences they have ever had in their lives.

Cruising all the way to Relationship Glory in California Dating

By: Francis Githinji | 06/07/2009
Every year, families in California engage in a vacation to their destination of choice. They are occasions organized and prepared to the last detail. Even couples in California dating instances, those who are yet to marry but have healthy dating relationships are also involved in vacations, sometimes with their dates.

California Online Dating Services

By: Francis Githinji | 06/07/2009
If you are looking for relationships, commitments, love, friendships, sex partners, flings, married women or gays and lesbians, California online dating avails them to you. It doesn’t matter where you are in California, you can access them. You need your laptop or PC and you can let the online intimate services carry you away.

California Dating Sites that Just Make a Relationship Thrive

By: Francis Githinji | 06/07/2009
If there is a better place to be and enjoy the most out of a relationship, it is a place where you are both free and ready to enjoy each other’s company. California dating sites are immense and if you want to enjoy the most of what they offer, you should choose the best you can enjoy the most, for an affordable price.

Why a Cruise is Ideal for all California Singles

By: Francis Githinji | 06/07/2009
Many California singles are living empty lives without real adventure and perfect relationships. Most of them are spending their life behind their laptop screens devouring the Internet and entering the cyber world any time they are free from their jobs and are at home. Rather than start relationships and start enjoying their union, they are slowly becoming social dwarfs and going out to bars and clubs or any other place of social gathering is no more.

How to Go Searching For California Singles

By: Francis Githinji | 06/07/2009
If you are looking California singles, you have a dozen ways of meeting the ones you want. Many singles have are not taken the initiative of what they have within their lives to meet the kind of singles they want. There is nothing like saying you cannot find a person to start dating and changing your relationship. If you were dating but broke up you can attest to the fact that finding singles is not hard, finding the right person is.

Chartering a California’s best for as a Dating Excursion

By: Francis Githinji | 06/07/2009
If you are in search of a better California dating site that you can believe in, then overnight chartering in South San Francisco is the best thing you can have next to your partner. You have a chance to have the wildest time in your life through spending your evening in a boat. You might have been already beaten and spent by the weather in the City anywhere in California and you are ready for wonderful chances to start unwinding.

How To Get Back With Your Ex Girlfriend

By: Peter Harris | 06/07/2009 | Dating
How to get back with your ex girlfriend is not easy to do; it can be very difficult and emotionally draining. This often goes against every instinct that we have. If you want to be successful in winning your ex back then you must resist the "normal" instincts that you have and follow the free advice on how to get your ex back presented in this article.

How Do I Win My Ex Girlfriend Back? Consider Time And Space

By: Peter Harris | 06/07/2009 | Dating
Have you been trying to win your ex girlfriend or boyfriend back into your life? How do I win my ex girlfriend back is a difficult problem to solve if you attempt it without any thought or simply by acting on impulse. You need a well thought out plan and in many ways discipline to make this work. This article will provide effective and proven methods that can help you win love back into your life.

How Do I Get Back Together With My Ex Girlfriend?

By: Peter Harris | 06/07/2009 | Dating
If you've recently broken up with your girl you have likely asked yourself how to do I get back together with my ex girlfriend? There are many situations and scenarios that can dictate what your approach should be. Let's consider the following example of Paul and Danielle.

Free Advice On How To Get Your Ex Back - 10 Steps

By: Peter Harris | 06/07/2009 | Dating
Losing someone that you've had a serious relationship with can be painful. If you are missing your ex you can get them back into your life. You just need to know what and how to do it. This article outlines free advice on how to get your ex back. Following the 10 steps below can dramatically increase your chances in winning your ex back.

How Does Creatine Work?

By: Peter Harris | 25/06/2009 | Supplements & Vitamins
If you have asked yourself how does creatine work and are considering using this supplement to augment your bodybuilding routines this article will help clarify exactly how CM works and what it can do for you.

Negative Side Effects of Creatine

By: Peter Harris | 21/06/2009 | Supplements & Vitamins
The negative side effects of creatine are not absolute and can vary greatly among its users. Because it is naturally occurring in the human body it is believed not to have any risks; however, this is not necessarily true.

How Long Does It Take For Creatine To Work?

By: Peter Harris | 21/06/2009 | Supplements & Vitamins
Many bodybuilders and weightlifters take creatine as a supplement to their workouts and dietary regiment. Most accomplished bodybuilders would agree that supplementation is a necessary part of the sport if you want to achieve success. It is natural to ask how long does it take creatine to work as you want to see results. Keep in mind that creatine, although good, is not in and of itself a sure fire way to achieve the growth that you want.

How To Use Creatine

By: Peter Harris | 21/06/2009 | Supplements & Vitamins
Many bodybuilders and athletes often ask how to use creatine. Creatine has fast become a popular, almost mainstream supplement that is readily accepted for use, especially with weightlifters and bodybuilders. Like many other supplements if you aren't using it correctly the effectiveness of the supplement will be compromised.