Discourse, Debate, Dialectic: The 6 Forms of Rhetorical Combat

[Cosimo de' Mecici Groyper]

READ THE POST BELOW. IT HAS BEEN FORMATTED IN A BETTER FASHION

[Cosimo de' Mecici Groyper]

I HOPE THIS A BETTER VERSION
I have recently made a revelation about the art of Discourse, Debat and Dialectic. What I have "Discovered" is that most of us and most politicians in general, approach debate either in a far too specalized sense, leaving us vulnerable to being exposed in the order of battle or focus far too much on the "Facts" so to speak. As we know, people are irrational and often superficial and emotionally driven. When you enter into discourse with someone in front of others, you'll learn pretty quickly that Rhetoric is a type of metaphysical combat, difussed through words, motifs and presentation and that just like in physical combat in a standard martial art, there are different forms you can take. I have decided to list the somewhat arbitrary but still very prescient and divinely ordained 6 forms of Rhetorical Combat. Consider it to be of use.


Form 1-The Dance(Famous Practicioner-Trump during the 2016 GOP Presidential Primary)
What is "The Dance"? The impetus for even writing this thread is something I noticed when looking at debates between one or more people of different ideological leanings or even petty interests. If one person has to defend themselves against many and does it very well, the art of rhetoric becomes a dance. Picture the combatants soul's leaving their bodies and when you engage in rhetorical techniques in this form, every soul is wielding swords and you are trying to master the art of metaphysically outmanuvering and crippling your opponents one by one. This is by far the most superficial and least dignified form you can specalize and take it as an introduction to Rhetorical Combat, that you can employ towards groups of your enemies in any discord server or public forum. How do you do it? Theres a couple of things to remember:

Know your opponent: You need to know your opponent's personal past, things that they have done, things that they have promised yet failed to deliver on. You need to accurately surmise superficial things about themselves such as how they look, how they talk, their height, etc. You need to be fluid, flexible and yet quick on your feet. Here is a master class example of such a thing:https://youtu.be/ou0Qmcdfn04?t=684 Trump is accused of acting like a junior high student by Senator Rand Paul during a Republican presidential debate, attacking people on superficial things such as his height, looks, etc and questions if he's qualified. Instead of rhetorical launching a nuclear bomb at Rand and hurting himself or looking unhinged in the process, he engages in a light yet very effective and campaign destroying jab, stating "I never attacked him on his look and believe, theres plenty of subject matter right there." Unlike several people I have seen online who I admittedy agree with, Trump doesn't get too aggressive or triumphant and appears jovial, funny and apt with a response. He doesn't appear overly juvenile and rude but also doesn't appear to be some posh arrogant run of the mill politician lecturing you about decency either.You need to respond quickly: Because its a dance of swords and everyone is out trying to get you, when someone gives a rhetorical swing at your head, you need to know something about them that stings, use it immediately and then move on to the next opponent. It becomes a formulaic dance, as you eliminate or humiliate your opponents one by one.

Form Two-The Rapier(Famous Practicioner-Skakespeare, Ancient Greeks, Count Dooku)
"The Rapier" is a form meant for the higher classes. It is supposed to convey yourself as that of a higher class, dignified, calm, magnimous, elegant, while belittling your opponent in a way that also highlights the attributes that can said of yourself. This is most effective against one single combatant and is arguably the first proper classical style of rhetorical combat you can learn(The previous form is more of a simplistic tutorial to learn to debate people). There are several things you need to know about this form.
Once again, Know your Opponent, even more this time.-You need to know your opponents background, their accomplishments, their failings, how people perceive them. You need to make it clear in framing that your opponent has "Fallen off" so to speak, is past their prime or has regressed in character. You want to appear like you viewed the the person highly and that currently they are failing to live up to their name. A good example would be here: [color=var(--link-primary)]https://youtu.be/_QZY1VWJ8Eg?t=95 I understand citing capeshit is a bit soy but I think it conveys the point very well. Dooku's entire persona is that of a refined elegant man who likes to contrast himself with less capable or experienced combatants. 
Paralipis:Appeals to dignity-You need to appeal to dignity alot. You need to appeal to rules, customs, make yourself seem like you are someone who respects the institutions and established powers therein and that your opponent is violating or not playing fair, even if they aren't. An example, should any Amarnite run for President or Senate, would be something like this: "I don't think talking about what my opponent did in the past is relevant to this conversation. Quite frankly, any of us could be condemned by such a metric. Lets focus on the issues and stay focused on the topic at hand." Another example comes from Shakespeare. Marc Antony criticizes the conspirators who killed Caesar using this method "I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts. I am no orator, as Brutus is, but as you know me all, a plain blunt man." By feigning humility at an apt time, you paradoxically look more noble and high class than by triumphantly stating your virtue.
Don't be too aggresive. Make your opponent seem unhinged or savage.-Alot of Amarnites do often revel in appearing like a revolutionary ready to destroy the entire standing world order. Examples would be things such as "You have one year". That I think, if you desire respectability, is a mistake. Not that you neccesarily need respectability but if you're trying to win over starry eyed suburban housewives or win over the audience of an Oxford Lecture, making your opponent lose your cool is the best way to do that. Be careful, refined and elegant and make your opponent feel unhinged, savage or acting in bad faith.[/color]
Form Three-The Shield(Famous Practicioner-Jimmy Carter most attorneys) "The Shield" is by far the most defensive and probably the 2nd most tactical form on this list. Its also the easiest to learn. It involves a few things.

Do not overextend yourself. Focus on defense until you get an opening.-An example of this would be the 1976 Presidential Debate between Jimmy Carter and President Gerald Ford. During the first presidential debate between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford in 1976, Carter, who was relatively unknown on the national stage, adopted a calm and affable demeanor. Ford, on the other hand, was more experienced but was perceived as having made controversial statements in previous interviews. Carter, instead of aggressively attacking Ford, appeared measured and repeatedly emphasized his outsider status. He strategically chose not to engage in direct confrontations, allowing Ford to make unforced errors. Ford, in one instance, made a statement about Eastern Europe not being under Soviet domination, which was widely criticized. Carter's seemingly defensive posture, combined with Ford's slip-ups, contributed to the perception that Carter was composed and Ford was more prone to mistakes.
Tire your opponent out. Let them overextend themselves.-You need to be "low maintainence" so to speak. You must use the minimum level of rhetorical force and energy needed to hold your own and try to bait your opponent into losing their cool, or tire them out. Debate and Rhetoric can be mentally draining and this takes that into full effect by conserving your mental energy reserves while causing your opponent to expend theirs.

Form Four-The Houwitzer(Famous Practictioners-Colonel Nathan Jessup, most prosecutors)
"The Longbow" is the opposite approach. Instead of being defensive and waiting for your opponent to tire out, you take the form of the aggressor and attempt to overwhelm your opponent in a rapid fire rhetorical assault. You need to catch your opponent off guard. This is NOT something you can pull off consistently, especially against seasoned or mentally strong opponents. You need to use rapid fire blitz techniques. An example of this would be from the 1992 Film "A Few Good Men." In the courtroom drama "A Few Good Men," Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, played by Tom Cruise, engages in a form of aggressive questioning to challenge Colonel Nathan Jessup, portrayed by Jack Nicholson. Kaffee aims to catch Jessup off guard and elicit a revealing response. The famous "You can't handle the truth!" scene is an example of a confrontational and aggressive approach used to break down the opponent.
A few principles to remember are the following:
The element of surpise. If you are known to be an aggresive or domineering debater, this will not work.
Shock and Awe-You need to put in righteous fury when you levy accusations, bring up things your opponent has done, in a stunning display worthy of a television drama. Shock your opponent and then awe the audience
You can't do this for very long. Do this to cause your opponent to grow paranoid as a psychological warfare tactic. Then, switch to a different technique now that you've likely metaphysically wounded them and drained them of energy.

Form Five-The Axe(Real life examples-good politician)The axe is by far the most flexible and methodical style of Rhetorical Combat. The way it works is through subtle direction and manipulation of your opponent by goading them into a trap. Unlike the 3rd form where your solely focus on tiring your opponent out, this gives you the flexibility to form your own openings. Think of it like a sweeping axe trap that you set up. You lure your opponent into the walkway through subtle framing or changing the topic and then force them to defend something that is known to be extreme, unpopular or unhinged. There are few principles to know about this.
Stay Calm and collected.-You want to appear sensible, rational and principled while forcing your opponent into a trap.Liar or Lunatic?-If your opponent holds views that are unhinged, seen as morally debauched or unpopular, you can lull them into a trap where either way they're in danger. They can either recant those views and rightfully be called out as a flip-flopper or a liar or be viewed as a lunatic with dangerous beliefs.Subtly Shift the Topic-If you're debating them, you have to slowly lull them through related topics until eventually arriving at the position where they'll lose either way. Framing is important. Respond to their framing with immediate counterattacks.

Form 6-The Crucifix(Famous Practicioner-Jesus Christ, most Saints, any good preacher)
This is by far the most dangerous and risky but also the most rewarding rhetorical form one can engage in there are a few key elements one must use to do such a thing.
Emotion: Its called "The Passion of the Christ" not the "Rational Decisions of Christ" for a reason. When you engage in this form, appeal to the emotions of the audience. Appeal to their soul. Try to harness the power of something higher than yourself
Power: Inspire the audience- When you engage in this form, you have to radiate POWER. You have to put the audience into awe, make them think you're a deeply principled and higher thinking man, make them look into their soul.
Speak to the Audience-This form isn't usually meant to be used combatitively. Instead, say you're a politician who has arrived on the site of a major natural disaster or terror attack. The enemies you face are those who inflicted suffering on the people around you.A powerful example of such a form is the Paschal Homily by Saint John Chrytosom

If any man be devout and love God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord. If any have labored long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense. If any have wrought from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast. If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; because he shall in nowise be deprived thereof. If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing. If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honor, will accept the last even as the first; He gives rest unto him who comes at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who has wrought from the first hour.And He shows mercy upon the last, and cares for the first; and to the one He gives, and upon the other He bestows gifts. And He both accepts the deeds, and welcomes the intention, and honors the acts and praises the offering. Wherefore, enter you all into the joy of your Lord; and receive your reward, both the first, and likewise the second. You rich and poor together, hold high festival. You sober and you heedless, honor the day. Rejoice today, both you who have fasted and you who have disregarded the fast. The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously. The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.Enjoy ye all the feast of faith: Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness. let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shown forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set us free. He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it. By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive. He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hell, said he, was embittered, when it encountered Thee in the lower regions. It was embittered, for it was abolished. It was embittered, for it was mocked. It was embittered, for it was slain. It was embittered, for it was overthrown. It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.I think that is all for today. I bid you farewell and I hope you take what I said to heart. Have a great day and feel free to respond with your thoughts.

[JohnTrent]

[...]

To format the post for maximum readability, you would need to remove the font color [NOTE: I'm an idiot and forgot I was in Cindy Theme] and click the "Remove Formatting" button (the icon with the minus symbol) when writing this up. Will try to reply when I paste this into Sublime Text and read it through.

[Cosimo de' Mecici Groyper]

[...]

To format the post for maximum readability, you would need to remove the font color [NOTE: I'm an idiot and forgot I was in Cindy Theme] and click the "Remove Formatting" button (the icon with the minus symbol) when writing this up. Will try to reply when I paste this into Sublime Text and read it through.

Do you have any thoughts on it now?

[Illustrious]

Good job