If you are in disagreement with someone else, try to identify the root cause of the disagreement rather than simply try to impose your will.

Avoid arguments with people who are obviously not interested in ‘truth’.

Complex verbal arguments can’t be relied upon to prove anything. There are too many ways for fallacious verbal arguments to sound convincing. In general a complex verbal argument will be believed more on the basis of how it is said rather than on the basis of what is said.

You learn more by listening than by speaking. But you need to speak from time to time to expose your thoughts to hard reality.

Try to understand the other person’s point of view.

Be wary of making someone look a fool in a verbal argument involving others. You could make an enemy for life.

Other people can’t read our minds. We must say what it is we want them to know.

People will not listen if:
(a) what you are saying is of no interest to them;
(b) there is an off putting disturbance or distraction;
(c) if you are pressurising, threatening, or attacking them;
(d) if you are patronising them, putting them down, or trivialising their views;
(e) if you are not giving them a chance to express their views, or are ignoring them.

Verbal communication has three components:
(a) The words;
(b) The way the words are said;
(c) Body language.
The words are often not the most important.