I’m a sucker for a good debate on Facebook, and I have a set of guidelines that I follow to get the most out of the debate. Sadly, most Facebook debates just become arguments, and there is a difference. In fact, the majority are just people dropping in to deliver their own talking points. But if you’re interested in having substantial discussions, here are a few tips that I use.

A quick guide to successful debating on Facebook:

1.) Disagreement is not an attack.
2.) Choose your battles wisely.
3.) No one is required to recognize your authority without proof of said authority.
4.) Seek to understand, not score points.
5.) If you’re arguing on another’s page, respect that person’s right to say stop.
6.) If you must continue, take it to your own page.
7.) It’s okay to let someone else have the last word.
8.) Argue the statements on the screen, not what you think the other person meant.
9.) It’s okay to ask for clarification.
10.) Always remember that you could be wrong.