QUESTIONING

When asking questions of your opposition your major aim is to elicit a contradiction. You do this primarily by getting him to make two contradictory statements. Since he is likely to be looking out for this possibility, it is better to hide the conclusion toward which you are driving. In addition, you might ask leading questions, surreptitiously introduce the premises you want brought out, and mix up the order so that it is not apparent in what direction you are going.

While a verbal admission of a contradiction is the most effective way of refuting an opponent, it is not always possible to obtain one. The next best thing is to point out, if possible, a contradiction or inconsistency between the spoken word and behavior.

If you cannot elicit the contradiction in a formal or informal way, proceed next to try to get your opponent to become angry.

If you find that you are succeeding in your questioning and that your opponent knows this, then you may find that he refuses to accept anything you say without qualification.

Another way of obtaining an answer you want is to ask a loaded or complex question, a question so phrased that any answer given is incriminating. Actually, a complex question is several questions in one.

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