Points to a Successful Argument

     What exactly is an argument? Most people seem to associate the word argument with two people shouting at each other, but there is more to an argument that just that. Argumentation is all around us in everyday life, even if we don't always notice it. A few examples constitute of: public debate, negotiation, internal argument, and even visual argument in the forms of bumper stickers, posters, etc. Arguments are much more than just a simple shouting match!

     According to Perspectives on Argument, a good argument should contain most, if not all, of the following: an issue, an arguer, an audience, common ground, a forum, and audience outcomes. I believe the 2 most important factors are the issue and the common ground between the two opposing sides. The issue is the most important part of an argument, because without an issue there wouldn't be anything to argue about in the first place! A common ground for the two differing sides also plays a huge role in an argument as well. It gives both parties an area of the subject matter to hone in on, something that they both could relate to. Without a common ground, arguments usually tend to instead turn into fights with nothing being resolved as a result of that.

     Although I am not one for arguing much myself, a good argument can certainly grab my attention. A good example of this would be the Presidential debates of the 2008 elections. I was flipping through the channels trying to find something to watch and stumbled upon the debate and was quickly drawn in.  While at the time I certainly didn't know a great deal about politics, my attention was certainly captured as both John McCain and Barack Obama exclaimed good points to the issues they were discussing. Their argument was a success as it produced a change in the audience, me, and made me want to explore further into politics.

      Arguments aren't just a verbal fight, they are much more than that. The two opposing sides are trying to sway the other to share their same point of view. This needs to be done however in a respectful manner. While one side doesn't agree with the other it doesn't mean that they are wrong or that their ideas are worthless, you need to be respectful to their point of view, even if you don't agree with it. The arguers both need to have an open mind to attempt to see the other side of the issue so that a compromise might be in near future.