Arguing Online

 For this post, I am going to be looking at a recent twitter debate between a somewhat controversial right wing media outlet known for their youtube videos, mainly starring "gun girl" Kaitlyn Bennet.

Link to original tweet

Why did you choose this online argument for your assignment?

I chose this twitter argument because it's very relevant to the controversy fueled by republicans surrounding the legitimacy of the election results. I thought this interaction was very interesting because it involves people with radically different political opinions and very little filter.

Provide 3 negative examples and concerns you have with this online argument.

The first concern I have with this argument is the informal language, especially from the initial rebuttal tweet. Though this doesn't seem to be a very serious debate, the responders argument could be strengthened by using courteous language. 

The second concern I have is that none of the arguments appeal to logos or pathos. Though liberty hangout does try to appeal to ethos by attaching the Federalist Papers, a historical document, to one of their tweets, otherwise the tweets in this thread seem entirely based on opinion and personal knowledge, with no citing of sources or direct facts. Additionally, none of the tweeters really try to appeal to the audience reading it by connecting to the emotionally.

The third concern is the bias coming from both side. Since this debate really is based completely in opinions with some facts to support, both sides have bias, especially the Liberty Hangout. As I said in the beginning, this is a right wing media site and therefore they are extremely pro-Donald Trump which can be seen in almost all their tweets and youtube content. This bias shows clearly in the argument, as they are not arguing whether or not the US should be a monarchy, but rather that Donald Trump should be king. 

Create 5 rules for how people should argue online correctly.

1. Be courteous to others and keep your language PG

2. Spell out words and avoid using internet slang, be professional

3. Remember your argument and try not to stray off topic

4. Appeal to your audience (other internet users) and try to relate your argument to others. Use Aristotle's appeals; logos, pathos, and ethos.

5. Try to stay as unbiased as possible and include facts from unbiased sources. If necessary, cite your sources so the person you're debating knows their legitimate