Comment guide
How to argue your point
For good introductions to argumentation, read the University of North Carolina’s Writing Center Handout and Argument on the Changing Minds website.
Logical fallacies are all too common in comments: the following websites describe several types of logical fallacy. Using any of these fallacies detracts from anything useful you may be trying to say and destroys what you are trying to say.
Fallacy – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Logical Fallacies: The Fallacy Files
Top 20 Logical Fallacies – The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe
Fallacies: The Nizkor Project
Logical Fallacies
Some simple rules
- Keep comments on-topic. Any that veer off the topic may be deleted.
- Be prepared to learn or even change your opinion.
- Remember that your opinion may not be entirely correct and respect the right of others to hold different opinions. If you have evidence to back up your opinions, share it with everyone.
- Be clear on what point or points you are addressing. Quote what someone else has said so it is clear exactly what you are responding to. Using the <blockquote> tag helps (see below).
- Don’t just cut and paste someone else’s words to save you from forming the argument or rebuttal for yourself. However, if you do quote someone else, provide a reference to the website, paper or article.
- Do not resort to ad hominems — if you can’t address specific points raised without attacking the author, don’t bother commenting. All an ad hominem does is tell the reader that you don’t have an answer so are resorting to insults instead to trying to win them over with your reasoned arguments. You don’t win; you just look ignorant.
- Try to write in sensible sentences and with at least half-decent grammar, punctuation and spelling. Readers are more likely to read and understand your points if they are clearly written and presented. The Plain English Campaign provides free guides that are well worth reading.
- Don’t post anonymously — it makes it very difficult for others to work who is saying what. Anonymous posts are more likely to deleted even if you say something intelligent, constructive or relevant. I may delete anonymous comments and edit or delete any replies.
- I reserve the right not to edit or delete stupid, ignorant, insulting or bigoted comments, but to make fun of them and possibly add them to my list of Accolades and Quackolades.
- Nothing on this website should be construed as medical advice. If you have a medical condition or think that you might or are worried about your health, consult your properly medically qualified GP, not a Quack. To find out whether someone is a proper medical doctor in the UK, check they are on the General Medical Council’s List of Registered Medical Practioners.
HTML tags
The following HTML tags can be used in comments. Using them (particularly the <a> tag) can make your comment more readable and help get your point across..
Italics: <em>your words here</em> or <i>your words here</i>
Example: It is very helpful to emphasise some words
Bold: <strong>your words here</strong> or <b>your words here</b>
Example: But not others
Block quote: <blockquote>your words here</blockquote>
Example:
It is useful to put what someone else has said in blockquote.
URL link: <a href=”http://www.example.com”>Example website</a>
Example: Information on what HTML tags are allowed in comments can be found on this page.
All <a> tags automatically have a rel=”nofollow” attribute added.
- Be clear on what point or points you are addressing. Quote what someone else has said before addressing it so everyone is clear what exactly you are responding to. Using the <blockquote> tag helps (see below).
- Don’t just cut and paste someone else’s words to save you from forming the argument or rebuttal for yourself. However, if you do quote someone else, provide a reference to the website, paper or article.
