createblog.com -> debate forum, is it getting out of hand? Options

[AmesBond]

I know this debate forum is new and a rising popularity amongst you strong spirited debators, but is it riling the masses? Whatever happened to civility and etiquette? What about properly evidenced statements and arguments?

[sadolakced acid]

I don't think it's out of hand. but maybe some people go too far to prove that they're right. Just a little too far.

well it's debate; what are you going to do, state your opinion and leave?


OMG that is SO wrong. that's just bleh. i'm not using any facts to support my non-existant argument. i mean, how can you not think that's wrong...

ugg... can't bear myself to write more that two lines of that.


there is freedom of speech. and there is also the fact that is is a debate forum.


http://debate.uvm.edu/code/001.html

I'd like to point this out:
* RESEARCH: SCAN AVAILABLE LITERATURE AREAS

now, i know that this forum isn't a formal debate. but everyone should have facts to support thier opinions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

and just because i want to, i'm going to write a debate forum 101.

1. CREATING A TOPIC- there are three steps to creating a topic in debate.

A. Chose a topic. a topic must be conteversial. it must be debatable. there must be more than one side to it.

B. Search for the topic in the forum. because no repeat topics allowed. If it's there, then just go post in that one and revive it. If it's not, then you can procede to step C.

C. create a setup. Introduce your topic. explain it, and ask a question (that will have more than one answer, and is controversial.) after this, you may add your argument. if it's a short setup and argument, then simple separate them with a couple of <enter>s and a row os symbols ~~~~~. If your setup and argument combined are very long (over 1.5 screens, etc. whatever you count by) you might want to consider double posting your argument. (gasp! a double post! it will make the topic much easier to understand and read if you do it. )

0. ARGUMENTS- research your position. You can have an opinions as long as you back them up. the web is a good way to quickly find information, but becareful of your source. If possible, use .edu or .gov . neither are expecially better, but they are a bit better than a .com or .org (anyone can make an organization. the KKK could have a website.)
preferable ones are PDF documents; because these are usually academic papers. keep links to your argument so you can put them in your post if asked. support your arguments at all times!! (with mostly correct facts- some errors are going to happen. )


1. ETTIQUETTE-

A. Read the setup, and preferablly the entire topic before posting. If this isn't possible (15 some pages in some topics) then at least read the last full page, plus the page your post would go on. So you can get an idea of what the argument has turned towards.

B. keep a cool head. keep your personal attack to a certain level. Don't just blatanly flame someone because they have a different opinion than you- how bout only flameing if they don't read the topic, or they presitantly insist thier blantatly wrong information is right (unless they're trying to support it) . and example is this - " these are my facts: the moon is made of cheese., the cow jumped over the moon, therfore cows jump over cheese.)

C. dO nOt tYpe LyKE dIs. you will be ignored ( by me at least) do not type in 1337. or something like that. try not to use chat speak like "u can clearly c in this pic"

D. don't jump into a debate without an idea of what's been debated and what's being debated. Read the setup. skim the topic (as much of it as possible). be sure to include recent pages.

E. censor cussing. if possible, leave it out. sometimes it's hard not to use these words- so censor them. the best way is just use the leading letter...



NOTE: i love not being a mod. becuase i've just told people they can double post and cuss (very occasionally, and only if you really really have to.)
this debating 101 does not represent the views of createblog, or it's mods. they may still choose to warn you, etc.