Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Preparing Good Arguments
• Part 2 of 3: How to Present Your Case
• Part 3 of 3: Understanding Your Opponent
• Tips
• Warnings

By developing the power of persuasion, you will achieve significant success in your business and personal life. It doesn't really matter whether you need to convince a customer to make a big purchase or to persuade your parents to let you stay late over the weekend. To convince anyone of anything, you need to learn how to build an argument, develop an argument, and understand the person you are trying to convince. Read on to find out more.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Preparing Good Arguments

1. 1 Do your homework. Make sure you clearly understand your own position, whether it's a subjective judgment of which movie is better - Nicefellas or The Godfather, or you need permission from your parents to come home later than usual, or you are discussing moral and ethical issues, for example, the abolition of the death penalty. Find the facts first, with no assumptions about the opposing side's position.
   • If the question is about selling something, for example, a car, you need to know everything about the car being sold. Moreover, you also need to be well aware of all the car models that can compete with your offer.
2. 2 Determine the terms of the discussion. For some questions, you need to know more than just the facts. Don't waste time wondering how beautiful or ugly the Eiffel Tower is if you need to prove its iconic status.Determine what is being discussed in the dispute. Is this a moral question? Anything aesthetic? Discussion of the rights and freedoms of the individual?
   • For example, you need to convince someone that the Statue of Liberty was "prettier" than the Eiffel Tower. To discuss this issue at a decent level, you will need to know enough about architecture and aesthetics in general, as well as collect information about each object (its height, architect, etc.). You will also need to decide on a set of criteria on the basis of which a decision is made.
3. 3 Develop evidence. Preparing good arguments is like making a table. The main thesis is supposed to be a tabletop, but legs are needed to support it, and your evidence will serve as such support. Unless you provide further evidence, your reasoning and argument will be just a piece of wood. Similar to writing an essay, you need to set a research objective, define and clearly articulate your main point or hypothesis, and collect relevant facts to prove and support it.
   • Let's say you need to prove the thesis "Contemporary art is boring." On what basis do you make such a statement? You can base yourself on the motivation of the artists, the incomprehensibility of their creations, as well as the unpopularity of such art among the "ordinary people" who make up the overwhelming part of society. Find good arguments, and your main argument will look more solid.
4. 4 Support your arguments with living examples and testimonies. To support your own position, it is better to give examples with memorable and expressive details. Let's say you want to convince someone that the Beatles are the best band of all time. In this case, your arguments will be perceived as unconvincing if you cannot remember the name of "that very album", or do not listen to other music in order to draw parallels with other famous performers.
5. 5 Give up an inch to win a kilometer. To persuade the interlocutor to your position, you can agree with some lesser arguments on his part. If you can show that you are ready to change your position and find mutual solutions, this will open the gate to agreeing with your point of view. Be ready to give in on small things, not forgetting on big things, and you will strengthen your position in the argument.
   • There is a difference between arguing and discussing. The engine of the argument is not rational thinking, but emotions supported by the self. Both people intend to prove themselves right and will put pressure on each other until someone gives in.

Part 2 of 3: How to Present Your Case

1. 1 Be as honest as you persist. Truthfulness attracts people. The worst thing that can weaken your position is trying to prove correctness from a biased point of view or, even worse, using some assumptions and ambiguities in your position. Whatever you try to prove, sincere belief in your innocence will greatly strengthen your position.
   • Self-confidence does not mean aggressiveness and intransigence. Be confident that you are right, but remain open to other points of view.
   • Behave like an expert on the dispute, using examples and strong arguments, and it will be easier for you to persuade the other person to believe you. For example, if you need to convince someone of your position on the Beatles, first prove that you are good at music.
2. 2 Emphasize personality. In logical reasoning, using an anecdote as an example is considered a mistake, but it will help to establish contact with a person at the level of feelings. To play on emotions, you can tell a joke that is relevant to the topic, and this can be an additional argument in your favor.
   • If you need to convince someone that the death penalty is "wrong," you need to turn to morality and ethics, and these areas belong to the emotional realm.Find heartbreaking stories of people who have been undeservedly sentenced to death, and tell them in an expressive manner, emphasizing the brutality of the system.
3. 3 Keep calm. Intermittent, incoherent speech will be a pitiful attempt to convince someone that you are right. Be confident in the facts and evidence that you are using to prove, and if they relate to the topic of the dispute, it will be easier for you to persuade the other person to think about the validity of your arguments.

Part 3 of 3: Understanding Your Opponent

1. 1 Be silent and listen. The person who talks more than listens does not necessarily win the argument or win the other person over to their side. Learn to listen to the person carefully to build the most effective arguments. Silence only at first glance looks like the position of the weak side, in fact, it helps to study the opponent's point of view and prepare worthy arguments to change it. Learn to recognize the goals of people, determine their views and the motives that drive them.
2. 2 Interested the person politely. Stay focused on eye contact, use even tone and voice, and remain calm throughout the discussion. Be polite and courteous - if you are asking a question, you need to be able to listen to the answer to it without interrupting the other person until they finish.
   • Establishing mutual trust is critical. You will never convince a person that you are right if they notice you have traces of disrespect for them. Therefore, show your respect for the other person and try to behave in such a way as to win respect on his part.
3. 3 Identify the opposing party's objections and their motivations. Knowing what drives a person, it is easier to provide him with what he wants. Once you grasp the motivation of the other person, rephrase your reasoning in a way that suits his position, and it will be easier for him to understand you.
   • For example, a dispute over the free sale of arms may revolve around a discussion of human rights and responsibility for acts committed. Ask the interlocutor a few questions to determine his position and thinking, and build your argumentation on those positions where there is no disagreement.
4. 4 Build the trust of the other person. Get in touch with his feelings and agree with his arguments, where possible, while not forgetting that you need to persuade the person to your point of view. Try to corner them using logical reasoning, but in a manner that will remain polite and courteous throughout the conversation. Then they will easily agree with your point of view, so as not to lose their own dignity.

Tips

• Speak politely and judiciously, but don't force people to change their minds.
• Always stay friendly and politeeven if the other side does not want to change their point of view.
• To convince someone of something, first make sure that you yourself are completely sure of it. Even if you are trying to convince someone of something that does not correspond to reality, do not lie to yourself, but find some trick to believe in the truth of the story. If the other person notices your doubts, they are unlikely to believe you. But if during the whole dispute you are 100% confident in yourself and your story, then you yourself will become an additional argument in favor of your own position.
• To maintain eye contact with a large audience, pick a few people and keep your eyes on them as you speak, alternating contact.
• Dress like you are for a victory parade. You are unlikely to be able to sell anything if you yourself do not appear to be successful.
• Faith can fade away. You may think that you have persuaded someone to your side, but after a day or two, you will find that they again returned to their point of view.
• Buy and read several books on sales techniques.

Warnings

• Some people will never change their position or views, and this is their right.Everyone has the right to be wrong (or be right in some cases).
• If the other person disagrees with you, don't argue. Explain your point of view to them logically, using strong reasons why it has a right to exist.
• Attitude towards prejudiced people. Ask some healthy questions about what they might have doubts about or they don't have a ready answer. Then explain your point of view using logical reasoning and suitable evidence. And even after that, leave it to the person to agree or disagree with your position.