Learn To Argue Effectively

[Music] [Music] this is the story of an AR uer Jeff loved to argue about anything and everything after all the Vikings were here before Columbus and so were the Indians and we don't know how many others so how can you say Columbus discovered America and you say Jonesville won the tournament last year oh they couldn't have oh liver worst you must be crazy to eat that stuff that's the silliest opinion I've ever heard there are 10 cars that'll hold the road better we don't need to enter a new conference that's just the coaches idea he wants a better job next year that's if you like to argue so much Jeff field why don't you go out for debate and learn something about it look all this stupid now what's a Puppet Theater had to do with debating okay Mr Evans thank you Alis we've an interesting gu B it here you'll see why in a moment now we're here today to find out how to argue is that so difficult well it isn't easy to become skilled in argumentation okay Alice now first of all what subjects are worth arguing about now let's see how many of us can recognize suitable subjects for arguments Alice oh Judy Judy where are you Judy H love oh I tying my shoe silly well now you're here listen I went out to the farm yesterday you did and what for oh look at the animals and I saw a purple cow and I Purple Cow yes and I went up to her and I said how did you talk to her why with my mouth silly answer my question I know you talked with your mouth but that's not what I mean well then say what you mean well how could you talk to a cow now said anything about talking to a crowd why don't you listen you interrupt all the time now look at here you take that and that and that well was that a good subject for argument what was the argument about yes I I guess it was whether punch talked to a cow but Judy wasn't there how would she know if there's no evidence available on your subject Why argue what would be a better subject for them to argue well Judy might try to convince punch that there is no such thing as a purple cow or that he might be more observant she might try what is a good subject for argument Jeff thought about that one he remembered some arguments he'd had you say Jonesville won the tournament last year pointless to argue about a fact that's easily checked isn't it oh liver worst you must be crazy to that stuff pointless too to argue about matters of personal taste they are seldom Changed by argument that's the silliest opinion I've ever heard why there are 10 cars that'll hold the road better arguments about opinions can be purposeful for argument often does change opinions we don't need enter a new conference and arguments about proposed actions can be purposeful if they make their points yes Jeff thought about these things well all right if it's a subject and which we can influence what others believe argument has purpose if not why argue agree fine now let's go on to another question assuming that we have a good subject for argument how should we argue well where do you think you're going well I'm going to Garden City next year with the team we're going to join the new Athletic Conference you know huh just because everybody wants to take a trip we have to join a new Athletic Conference well this is our big chance we'll put our school on the map Garden City G City go to City do you think we're blind everybody knows you're just trying to take a nice expense and get beat beat beat well anyway you'll agree we should try to put our school on the map if we can sure if we can get well let's not have the same kind of argument that they had this is a hot issue we chose it because it is a real issue here in our school right now it's a good subject for argument agreed the question is how can we make that argument profitable how can we argue so as to change opinions now let's repeat this Punch and Judy argument whenever you see anything that keeps it from being profitable we'll stop the show all right Alice oh well where do you think you're going oh I'm going to Garden St next year with the team we're going to join the new conference you know wait a minute something WR we haven't decided whether to join the new conference or not punch doesn't seem to know what he's talking about and you feel you have to know what you're talking about to argue profitably I'll say all right one be informed know your subject that's the First Essential of how to argue profitly all right Alice H just because everybody wants to take a trip we have to join a new Athletic Conference well this is our big chance we'll put our school on the map Gard city city go to Gard City what do you think we're doing Punch and Judy aren't listening to each other how can punch convince Judy if he doesn't know what Judy thinks and vice versa good point that's step two listen and understand you can't argue profitably until you know what your opponent believes all right Alice well anyway you'll agree we should try to put our school on a map if we can oh sure if we can well why can't isn't there something there I mean well sometimes when you're arguing you waste time over points you really agree on at least punch was trying there good point I wondered whether anyone would catch that find Common Ground two people in an argument usually agree on something they have to or else the argument won't convince anyone of anything and if you know where you agree you can see more clearly where you disagree isn't that important in argument uh find the issues once you know exactly where you disagree then you know exactly where to apply your information and reasoning so find the issues and work on them work on them oh I'll work on you after that Jeff thought about subjects for argument about methods of argument he watched himself too well that's silly the rehearsal couldn't be at 7: Miss alus can't miss alus can't get there by seven she likes to eat at Hansen's Resturant J Judy what' you say oh never mind if Miss ala said 7:00 I suppose we better be there then he tried to save his arguing for topics worth argument opinions proposed actions where his argument might make a difference he tried to be informed getting knowledge that would be useful to make his arguments profitable he tried to listen to understand his opponents and their positions he tried to find Common Ground from which better understanding could be reached and he tried to find the issues and attack them directly in his arguments it took time to learn to argue effectively but one day not long ago listen gang ticket sales are going swell so I guess we'll have to reserve the gym for our party wait a minute why the gym we want to use the Lodge at Langdon park that's rather expensive isn't it no it isn't besides think of all the do you know how much they charge for the lodge well no well we want our party to be informal don't we that's right we could have a good informal time at the lodge we could decorate there and they have a big fireplace where we could roast Weenies and marshmallows that's a wonderful idea so don't you think we should first find out the cost of the lodge and then decide yes Jeff is still an arguer but he is learning to make his arguments purposeful and profitable how well do you [Music] argue