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The Dummies' Guide to Debating

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This is issued in the public interest. Have a Happy Election.

Storified by Prem Panicker · Thu, Jul 25 2013 22:00:03

This is very important! Only once concede that your opponent might be right/have a valid point, and it undercuts your own position.
The use of "conceding for the sake of argument" is highly recommended here. You can always argue that you did not actually concede the point, you were merely accepting your opponent's position in order to provide counter-arguments and refutation.
For instance, you can stop an opponent in his tracks by raising your eyebrows and going, 'You, sir, are an 'autothaumaturgist'. Ideally, before you engage in debate, spend time on this site and expand (literally) your working vocabulary: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/list-of-long-words-and-their-meanings.html
And to really nail the thing, turn to your opponent in mid-flight and say: 'Sir! Please do me the courtesy not to talk when I am interrupting!' 
And preface any made-up fact with "I am surprised by your ignorance of the facts -- did you not know...'? That barb reinforces the 'fact' you just made up and leaves your opponent at a double-disadvantage.
Clearly, this is a very important tip. For best results, use profusely when you are tossing made-up facts into the debate. "Clearly, you are not aware of the fact that..."
You are sickular. Pseudo-intellectual. Chaddiwala. Fundie. Tip: The name does not have to have any recognizable meaning -- use it often enough, and it will become part of the lexicon.

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