Rules of engagement for online discussions

Discussions can easily become heated in online discussions.  'Flame wars' can escalate rapidly and lead to lasting ruptures within professional and social communities.  Guidelines for constructive dialogue across difference can help to reduce this risk.

Here is a set of guidelines from a blog, The Questioning Christian, that was preparing the ground for discussions about different views within the Christian church.  From the comments on the page, it was not entirely successful, but they are still worth a look:

• Take the hit
• Don't get personal, even indirectly
• Take the trouble to signal your friendliness
• Let the facts argue for themselves
• Be careful about categorical statements
• Watch your phrasing
• No-no's:  Some things not to say: babble (as a noun), disgraceful, drivel, farce, gutless, simpering , excuse, utter nonsense, wacko, whining, yahoos (in reference to people)