argueand

Argueand is a neologism used to describe a form of discourse that combines argument with collaborative resolution. The term signals an approach where participants present opposing viewpoints while actively seeking common ground, rather than pursuing victory or dominance in a debate.

Etymology and usage. The word is a portmanteau of argue and and, intended to emphasize that productive discussion proceeds through both critical challenge and bridging statements. In practice, an argueand style asks for clear claims, supporting evidence, explicit counterarguments, and explicit moves toward synthesis or agreement.

Applications. Argueand appears in multiple contexts. In education, instructors may promote argueand techniques to teach critical thinking, requiring students to map claims, evidence, and potential compromises. In online deliberation and debate platforms, features aligned with argueand include structured turns, argument maps, citation tagging, and explicit consensus-building steps. Some writers use argueand as a discourse strategy to model civility while preserving rigor.

Variants and interpretation. As a framework, argueand can function as a methodological principle, a debate format, or a rhetoric cue indicating that the goal of the exchange is joint understanding rather than single-sided persuasion. Critics argue that the emphasis on synthesis could dilute strong positions or lead to ambiguity if not carefully moderated.

See also. Argumentation theory, debate platforms, discourse analysis, critical thinking.