How to Argue: Powerfully, Persuasively, Positively

Product Author Bios

Jonathan Herring understands the components of a good argument. He is a lawyer and eminent legal academic (at Exeter College of Oxford) and has written over twenty books, including best-selling textbooks on criminal law, family law, and medical law and ethics.

The ability to persuade, influence and convince is a vital skill for success in work and life. However, most of us have little idea how to argue well. Indeed, arguing is still seen by many as something to be avoided at all costs, and mostly it's done poorly, or not at all. Yet it's possibly the most powerful and yet most neglected asset you could have. Discover the art of arguing powerfully, persuasively and positively and you'll have a head start every time you want to:

• Get your point across effectively
• Persuade other people to your way of thinking
• Keep your cool in a heated situation
• Win people over
• Get what you want
• Tackle a difficult person or topic
• Be convincing and articulate
• Have great confidence when you speak

Table of Contents

Introduction     v
Part 1: The ten golden rules of argument
Chapter 1  Golden Rule 1: Be prepared     3
Chapter 2  Golden Rule 2: When to argue, when to walk away     15
Chapter 3  Golden Rule 3: What you say and how you say it     25
Chapter 4  Golden Rule 4: Listen and listen again     41
Chapter 5  Golden Rule 5: Excel at responding to arguments     53
Chapter 6  Golden Rule 6: Watch out for crafty tricks     65
Chapter 7  Golden Rule 7: Develop the skills for arguing in public     89
Chapter 8  Golden Rule 8: Be able to argue in writing     95
Chapter 9  Golden Rule 9: Be great at resolving deadlock     103
Chapter 10  Golden Rule 10: Maintain relationships     111
Part 2: Situations where arguments commonly arise
Chapter 11  How to argue with those you love     121
Chapter 12  How to argue with your children     131
Chapter 13  Arguments at work     145
Chapter 14  How to complain     153
Chapter 15  How to get what you want from an expert     165
Chapter 16  Arguing when you know you’re in the wrong     175
Chapter 17  Arguing again and again     183
Chapter 18  Doormats     195
Chapter 19  How to be a good winner     205
Chapter 20  To recap     211
Index     215