You two have done an incredible job! Bravo!
Jan | Homepage | 08.21.05 - 4:37 pm | #

Excellent job, guys - keep up the great work!
Rebecca | Homepage | 08.21.05 - 4:38 pm | #

What if I'm not a blogger? Can I still use it on my website if I give you credit?! Let's debate this small point endlessly!
Wayne | Homepage | 08.21.05 - 8:19 pm | #

I know you were only jesting, but no, let's not debate this small point endlessly. Feel free to use it, Wayne, provided you give Alex and I proper credit.

God Bless Your Work!

Brett Harris | Homepage | 08.21.05 - 8:20 pm | #

Thanks
bob | 08.22.05 - 4:39 pm | #

Great job! I think the points you brought up were eloquently stated. Perhaps it might be helpful to also talk about the Rogerian form of argumentation (although it is by no means perfect, he has some interesting points). One of the things I like about him is he thinks, whenever you can, you should grant your opponents position as valid and well-thought. I've noticed when I preface my point with such an approach the person visibly thaws. By being gracious I give them the incentive to actually listen to what I'm saying and not just try to disagree. It?s only a thought.
Elizabeth Pearson | 08.22.05 - 4:40 pm | #

What a great resource this is! Thanks so much to all involved. I am going to take you up on your offer and reproduce these on my blog. (Just let me know if I misunderstood...)

Thanks!
Julie D. | Homepage | 08.23.05 - 10:16 am | #

This is a superb summation of good rules for civilized debate, onloine or off. I am particularly fond of Number Five, because its violation irritates me so intensely.

"I'd take Professor Dinwiddie more seriously if she hadn't mispelled
'frisson'."

This is especially annoying when I myself disagree with the Professor, when her arguments are full of holes, and my putative ally carps about spelling and grammar rather than driving a dune buggy through them.

Glad I saw the link on Dawn's site.
Joseph | 09.14.05 - 5:54 pm | #

Nice Job....it appeals to the factors that some of the worst violators need some rules to follow, others see this as common sense....thanks for the common sense in verbal, injectable form!
Larry | Homepage | 09.29.05 - 3:16 am | #

a small solecism: "commissioned us (Alex and I)" should be "commissioned us (Alex and me)"

respectfully, etc.
Jeffrey Jones | Homepage | 10.04.05 - 6:53 am | #

You fellows are absolutely refreshing, and so is your Blog. As a middle aged boomer, and blogger I have become disillusioned with the mass media, and pop culture presentations of youth, and the large numbers of young people who subscribe to those ideas. Unfortunately there was a similar misdirection of youth when I was coming of age as well. It's wonderful to see intelligent young men wanting to engage in serious debate, and publishing their thoughts.
Beau | Homepage | 10.09.05 - 1:09 am | #

wonderfully written and very helpful to those who have never taken debate.
Ella | 12.27.05 - 1:45 pm | #

First of all, I'd like to say Nice Job! on the guidelines. They are clear, precise, and apply to most any blog. Second, I do have a question though. What is the ettiquette on replying to another's post or reply from one blog on one's own blog? Thanks!
Rachael | Homepage | 01.13.06 - 10:19 pm | #

Thanks, Rachael! Regarding the etiquette of replying to someone else's post on your own blog — that should be completely fine as long as you provide a link to their original post.

If you're responding to another person's comment on someone else's blog... You'd probably want to respond in the comments section there, or — if your response is to something that would change the subject of the discussion — comment and let them know that you responded on your blog, and provide a link.

Hope that helps! God bless!
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 01.13.06 - 10:39 pm | #

Well done. I do have one thing I'd add. Never enter into an argument unless your are willing to listen to the opposing side. You may not agree with it. But you want them to listen to your side, show the same courtesy and listen to their points fully before responding. This is especially true in blog discussions. While you may still disagree with their overall premise there are things to be learned in how they present their arugment. Further, by listening to their objections to your argument you can strengthen you case for future such discusssions.

One of my favorite ways to hone debate skills is to read editorials and essays that you disagree with. Then begin to look at their postion and formulate your arguments and mentally critique them. There's no better way to prepare then to know the opposing sides views and being able to articulately and calmly state them. Practicing ahead of time will aid that tremendously.
Spunky | Homepage | 02.24.06 - 5:08 pm | #

This is a great guide, guys. I don't know if the kudos of complete strangers matter to you but, for what it's worth,

Bravo!!
Tulip | Homepage | 07.12.06 - 2:48 pm | #

This is such an awesome resource for witnessing aswell.I find that sometimes,mostly at school,one has to "debate" a certain topic let it be abortion or any other controversial topic with people.It gives an opportunity tonot only show the love of Christ but to bring your point out aswell.
Cristina | Homepage | 08.08.06 - 3:43 pm | #

Nicely stated; with one caviat; I have no objection to rude language OR crude language.

I have an objection to it's usual intent, which is to cause an opponent to lose their temper and blow the arguement.

But that particular tactic is just as easily employed without profane or scatalogical commentary - and is often more effective for it.

I personally would discourage the intent without requiring people to refer to a pile of steaming bovine excriment as ... a pile of steaming bovine excrement.

"Polite" is not always respectful, nor is respect for the ideas of others enhanced by treating idiotic positions as being worthy of respectful treatment.

Of course, I do not approve of IP banning either. I prefer to allow idiots to be exposed by contrast.

Oh, and thanks to you two for maintaining the great art of debate and reminding folks it's an art that requires concious practice.
Bob King | Homepage | 08.09.06 - 8:43 am | #

Defined debate rules work well for schoolboy debating contests. But not all that well elsewhere.

With respect to the blogosphere, the problem with rules is that when he who has the power to apply the rules applies them unjustly or oppressively, or even slavishly, the rules become just as bogus and just as obnoxiously offensive as what they purport to police. And I don't see you promulgating any rules for that.

The bottom line is he who owns the blog can delete anything he doesn't like. Or, freedom of the press belongs to he who has a press.


Zeb Quinn | Homepage | 08.20.06 - 9:29 am | #

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photographs | Homepage | 05.09.07 - 7:56 am | #