ELTTipsHow to argue a case [Archives:2005/902/Education]

Dr. Ramakanta Sahu
University of Science and Technology,
Sana'a
It may be just a debate or a group discussion or a moot court or even a tribunal case. In any case, the ability to argue out a case is a manipulative art which we all can foster in ourselves if we bear in mind the following points:

Know the strongest arguments of your opponent

By imaginatively anticipating the other party's strongest possible case with keenness and foresight, you can prepare your strategy to counter and possibly demolish the same.

Get to grips with your facts

Your stronghold are your concrete facts. Your arguments are going to be based on these facts. So present them in a clear, logical and consistent order. Distinguish facts from interpretation, opinion, or hearsay. Beware of the assumptions the other party may make out of these.

Know pertinent examples or leading cases

Relevant examples in support of the point you are making and those that you don't make your argument sound, reasonable, acceptable and convincing. Correspondingly, a well-argued case with adequate and appropriate exemplification makes the opponent's argument appear weaker and less tenable.

Marshal your arguments

However well prepared you may be, unless your presentation is impressive, it may have little impact. So take care to cogently order your arguments and marshal your linguistic resources to present them appealingly so as to catch the audience's imagination.

Don't take your audience for a ride

Don't overestimate yourself nor underestimate the audience or the arbitrator. Cultivate a genial yet forceful personality as well as a charming style to win the applause of the audience.
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