Got Any Proof?

I'm in a debate on whether spanking is an effective punishment or not. The opposition has some good points, but their only flaw is that they're not giving any accurate sources to back up their claims.

I love being in logical debates. It's fun and I can learn a lot from them. But if you're going to get into a debate, you want to have proof to back yourself up. Just because you say something is true, doesn't mean it really is. I'm not going to automatically believe you just because you said it's true, unless you're actually an expert in this subject and have discovered it yourself to be true. And even if you are an expert; if you want to convince someone of your argument, then back up your claims with some accurate sources of proof.

Not just state "Well, this has been scientifically proven..." and not give any sources.

For me, I mainly use experience as proof and if I don't know the topic very well, I'll gather up research as proof.

It's not that I don't want to be proven wrong, I don't mind that. I'm not a genius; I don't know everything. I often like being proven wrong anyways, since I can learn from it. But unless you actually give me accurate sources that back up your claims and prove your point, I won't be convinced of your views.

This is from someone who was taught how to argue well, having a parent as an attorney and also went through mock-trial debates in middle-school, when learning politics and government.

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_{And don't make your opposition do your research: "Just go Google it!" No, if you want to convince me, do your own research. :< I don't do people's homework for them.}

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