⬅️ Back to 60.10 Argumentation · Sister MOCs: Argument Anatomy (MOC) · Fallacies & Bad Faith (MOC) · Rhetoric & Persuasion (MOC) · Psychology of Belief (MOC) · Argumentation Library (MOC)
The operating procedure, in order. Each step links to the folder note that covers it and the book sections behind it. Long-form version: Debate University Course.
For asynchronous, document-first, or publishable exchanges, use Written Debate - History, Famous Exchanges, and a Practical Method and instantiate Written Debate Document. The written format adds fixed rounds, exact-target replies, source and version rules, an answer-status ledger, and a closing synthesis.
Before anything else
Build the tree. Debate - Argument Tree gives you the C / R / O / RR grammar — claim, reason, objection, reply — and a reusable template. Everything below hangs off that skeleton.
0⃣ Frame — What are we actually arguing?
Most debates are lost here, before a single point is made.
- Debate University Course > Proposition — pinning down what’s on the table
- The Practice of Argumentation - Effective Reasoning > Chapter 3: The Emergence of Controversy (Page 67) — issues, stasis, presumption, burden of proof
- Shifting The Burden (Fallacy) — refusing to carry a burden that isn’t yours
- Written Debate Document > Round 0 — Joint Protocol — freeze the resolution, scope, burdens, round rules, and source standard before either side writes its case
- Debate Tactics > Accusing the other of having no position — mixed vs. unmixed controversy
- Internal Critique — when to argue from their premises instead of yours
- Debate University Course > Taking a Position
1⃣ Research — Do your homework
- Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > 15 DO YOUR HOMEWORK (Page 248)
- The Practice of Argumentation - Effective Reasoning > Chapter 5: Argument Schemes (Page 115) — know which scheme you’ll be running
- Chapter 4 Evidence in Argumentation (Page 95)
- Fast self-falsification pass — pre-commit disconfirmers, attack the three load-bearing claims, and narrow or drop what fails
- Self-Falsification Protocol for Debate Prep — the full claim-by-claim audit and falsification register
- Debate University Course > Opposition Research — research the person, not just the position
- Argumentation & Influence NOTES > Research
- Argumentation Scheme — the scheme catalogue
2⃣ Organize — Build the case
- The Practice of Argumentation - Effective Reasoning > Chapter 7: Case Construction (Page 172)
- Chapter 4 Evidence in Argumentation (Page 95)
- Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > BEGINNING, MIDDLE, END (Page 134)
- Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > 7 THE RULE OF THREE (Page 127)
- Debate - Argument Tree — outline first, visuals second, triggers instead of memorization
- Written Debate - History, Famous Exchanges, and a Practical Method > How to build a written debate document — turn the tree into a traceable written exchange
- Argument Structure — make sure the skeleton is valid before you dress it
3⃣ Present — Win the room
- Presenting Your Case — the folder’s core note (sympathy → facts → conclusion)
- Debate University Course > Opening Statement
- Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > 1 WINNING OVER AN AUDIENCE (Page 16)
- Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > 2 FEELINGS, NOT (JUST) FACTS (Page 32)
- Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > 3 SHOW YOUR RECEIPTS (Page 53)
- Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > 6 MAKE THEM LAUGH (Page 110)
- Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > 10 SETTING BOOBY TRAPS (Page 165)
- The Practice of Argumentation - Effective Reasoning > Chapter 9: Language, Style, and Presentation (Page 220)
- Presenting Your Case > Nonverbal Devices · Rhetorical Triangle
4⃣ Attack — Take the case apart
- Attacking An Argument — the folder’s core note (refutation by target type)
- The Practice of Argumentation - Effective Reasoning > Chapter 8: Attack and Defense (Page 197)
- Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > 4 PLAY THE BALL ... AND THE MAN (Page 72)
- Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > 9 THE ART OF THE ZINGER (Page 150)
- Refutation by target → statistics · authority · analogies · definitions · ad populum
- Attacking An Argument > Anatomy of Refutation · Attacking An Argument > Attacking the Conclusion
- Debate Tactics — the aggressive toolkit (info dump, going meta, the loop of pain)
5⃣ Defend — Hold the line
- Defending Your Case — the folder’s core note
- The Practice of Argumentation - Effective Reasoning > Chapter 8: Attack and Defense (Page 197)
- Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > 8 JUDO MOVES (Page 138) — turn their force against them
- Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > 5 LISTEN, DON’T (JUST) SPEAK (Page 92) — critical vs. empathetic listening
- Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > 11 BEWARE OF THE GISH GALLOPER (Page 178)
- Verbal Judo — deflection, reassurance, LEAPS
- Defending Your Case > Counterattack · Defending Your Case > Winning the Argument · Defending Your Case > Going for A Tie
6⃣ Close — Land it
- Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > 16 THE GRAND FINALE (Page 270)
- Debate University Course > Closing Statement
- Presenting Your Case > Driving Home the Conclusion
- Debate University Course > What Winning Looks Like · Debate University Course > Aftermath
Active practice case
- Does Morality Require Religion - Master — objective morality and religion; four-cue live map, strongest theistic reply, positive moral premise, and counterargument branches.
- Morality and Religion - Practice — closed-note speaking reps and a short answer rubric; use this before adding more research.
Live Skills
The things that only matter in real time.
- Debate University Course > Open Discussion — where the judo happens
- Debate University Course > What Makes a Good Question · Attacking An Argument > Questioning · Attacking An Argument > Answering
- Socratic Questioning — questions as the whole strategy
- Debate University Course > Conceding Points — conceding well is a weapon
- Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > 12 CONFIDENCE IS EVERYTHING (Page 199) · Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > 13 KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON (Page 218)
- Win Every Argument - Medhi Hasan > 14 PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT (Page 230)
- Predictive Model — anticipating the next move
- Debate University Course > Debate Moderation
After the Debate
- Debate University Course > Applying Debate Skills in Real Life
- Written Debate Document > Round 6 — Joint Synthesis or Decision — agreements, concessions, remaining cruxes, further research, and verdict
- Debate University Course > Relationships · Debate University Course > Community Management
- Debate University Course > Improving Your Skills
- Argumentation & Influence NOTES — the counterweight: argue to learn, not to win
Base index
Argumentation.base (file not included in this release)