The standard, commonly encountered argument form that follows a recognizable structure (claim, evidence, conclusion) about a general subject. It’s the workhorse of debates, essays, and everyday persuasion when done competently.
Example: "He presented a general argument for exercise: it improves cardiovascular health (evidence: these studies), boosts mood (evidence: these surveys), and increases lifespan (evidence: this meta-analysis). It was straightforward, evidence-based, and effective."
by AbzuInExile January 31, 2026
Get the General Argument mug.A structured, conventional debate on a broad topic, following established formats and norms, with the goal of persuading a third party or exploring the strengths of opposing viewpoints. Think presidential debates or high school forensics.
Example: "The general debate on the new city budget was civil and informative. The mayor presented her proposal, the council outlined counter-proposals, and they argued over line items and priorities within the agreed-upon framework of civic improvement and fiscal responsibility."
by AbzuInExile January 31, 2026
Get the General Debate mug.The idealized, normative practice of science: forming hypotheses based on observation, testing them through controlled experiment and peer review, and revising conclusions based on evidence. It's the slow, collective, self-correcting process of building reliable knowledge about the natural world, warts and all.
Example: "The discovery of the structure of DNA was a triumph of general science: decades of work in chemistry, biology, and physics; data from X-ray crystallography; model-building; and a competitive but ultimately collaborative race that yielded a foundational truth."
by AbzuInExile January 31, 2026
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