Q&A for How to Always Win an Argument

Stay cool and don't succumb to their level. Keep level-headed even when the person shows his bad temperament.

I think you've already won. If victory has such benefit, the argument seems almost trivial. Point out flaws in the situation, not the person. Lead the conversation where you want it to be and keep it there. Do it for yourself or those you care for.

Presuming that you are correct, try to find academic sources to back your claim/argument. Once that is done, the teacher should acknowledge that you are correct. If your teacher is persistent, you can consider taking this to your parents, department chair, principal, etc.

Make sure not to lose your cool, or let their insults get to you. People will often be angered when losing and start calling you names. Just ignore these comments, or let them know they are being really immature.

Blow it off. Just let it roll it off your back.

Reconsider your stance. Make compromises. You want your parents on your side: they'll be useful allies later in your quest.

You will still wake up tomorrow. Sometimes winning isn't everything. If you're striving to win every argument, what a selfish prize to have.

In the end, there is nothing that is right or wrong since perspective cancels all lies. Try to focus on the opinion based aspects of your argument and elaborate on them. Being persistent, loud and saying the same thing over and over can wear down your opponent, no matter how wrong you are.

Simply ignore him/her.

Perhaps you could register it as an emotional support animal?

You forget about this person and find more intelligent people to interact with. Let's say you ran a race and took first place. This is a verifiable fact. But some neighbor of yours says, "I don't believe you." Whatever he believes doesn't suddenly change the fact. Just because your someone claims you have lost doesn't mean you have, and it doesn't change your own opinion. If you care for this person, gather your patience and try once more to calmly explain what's what. If you don't care or it doesn't work, move on to more intelligent people to talk with.

Just say, "I'm sorry, I wasn't even looking at you," or, "I'm sorry, I was just lost in thought, I didn't mean to make a face." If the person is a parent, teacher, or other authority figure, make sure you're being respectful when you apologize.

Reconsider your stance. If you feel you are still right, try to explain your point of view from the start. Having an argument is not (necessarily) like mathematics. It is possible that both sides have a valid point of view.

If you didn't have much time to plan, go for quality of arguments over quantity. Focus on getting a few solid arguments to use and perfect them. Keep using them throughout the debate, further explaining the same point a little more deeply each time.

Just calmly explain your side and try to poke holes in the logic of the person you're arguing with. However, if you're arguing about something huge and idealistic that there is inherently no way to prove, i.e. the existence of God, you're unlikely to change someone's mind.

You cannot win an argument if you already believe the other person is smarter than you. You are smart. Make sure your facts are correct, and win!

Think about what mistakes you have made, notice your argument's pattern, try to come up with a solution for next time. You can also try to asking yourself if the argument was worth it. It is okay to lose, but it is not acceptable to lose without learning.

Tell them that's not a good enough reason, because in arguments you need reasons.