Flowing, Presenting, Refuting, Rebuilding



Flowing, Presenting, Refuting, Rebuilding

 

When someone presents an argument, write down the following:

0. The number or letter of the argument

1. The tag

2. The source (usually just the name and date--though listen for the qualifications)

3. The reason, statistic or fact the evidence provides to support the tag

As you write down these parts of an argument, use abbreviations. Here is an example:

1. US. Econ. fail.

Elpha ‘03

will see 2% GNP drop.

Inflation come back

 

FLOWING YOUR RESPONSES

To write down your responses, draw an arrow to the right of your opponent’s argument and begin flowing your responses. You look at this flow to make your responses during your speeches.

 

PRESENTING YOUR RESPONSES

In your speech, you’ll use 4 step refutation:

1. STATE THE NUMBER AND TAG OF YOUR OPPONENT’S ARGUMENT

Example: Her first argument is the U.S. economy will fail.

2. TRANSITION INTO YOUR RESPONSES

Example: No, it will not.

Note: sometimes, people skip this step.

3. MAKE YOUR RESPONSES—BE SURE TO NUMBER, TAG, AND GIVE A REASON OR EVIDENCE FOR EACH RESPONSE

First, her evidence is out of date. That is late 2002 and things have changed.

Second, the economy is doing fine. According to . .

4. IMPACT YOUR RESPONSES AND MOVE TO YOUR OPPONENT’S NEXT ARGUMENT

So, the economy will not fail, it will succeed. Let’s go to her second argument . . .

Refuting an Argument

 

When you refute an argument, you respond to it--you argue against it.

 

Here’s the step by step process of doing this:

 

STEP ONE (State the number and label of the argument):

 

STEP TWO (Transfer--transition into your arguments):

 

STEP THREE: Respond and Counterargue

(Respond--“Press” the argument--point out it’s flaws)

(Respond--“Counterargue”--use evidence against the argument)

 

STEP FOUR: (Sum up and transition to your responses to the next opponent argument)

 

EXAMPLE

STEP ONE (State the number and label of the argument):

Her second argument was “SELF REGULATION WILL NEVER PREVENT INTERNET PRIVACY VIOLATIONS”

STEP TWO (Transfer--transition into your arguments):

I disagree.

STEP THREE:

(Respond: “Press” the argument--point out it’s flaws)

First, THE EVIDENCE NEVER PROVES THAT PRIVACY VIOLATIONS WILL NEVER BE PREVENTED.

The evidence just says that there is an incentive to violate privacy.

(Respond: “Counterargue”--use evidence against the argument)

Second, THE MARKET IS ALREADY GIVING THE INCENTIVE TO PREVENT VIOLATIONS

FORBES, April 17, 2000, p. 40.

The market is also making it possible for people to surf the Internet anonymously. Consumers today can block the "cookies" many Web sites send out by making simple changes to their Internet browsers. As well, vendors will enable Internet users to send e-mail anonymously. The market will provide more privacy, if that's what consumers want. The nannies worry that those on the wrong side of a "digital divide" won't know what they want. For the moment the FTC has concluded that self- regulation by the industry is sufficient to address whatever privacy concerns currently exist. That's good news. Regulations tend to outlast their usefulness. If there is a privacy problem, technology -- the market -- will solve it. If there is regulation, it will be on the books for a lifetime.

STEP FOUR: (Sum up and transition to your responses to the next opponent argument)

So, the market does encourage privacy protection and there is no proof it will never prevent violations, contrary to my opponent’s claim. Now, let’s go to her third argument . . .

 

REBUILDING ARGUMENTS

 

You rebuild your argument after your opponent attacks the argument. This is a critical skill in debate that is frequently overlooked.

 

REBUILD STEP ONE--RESTATE YOUR ORIGINAL ARGUMENT

State the number and tag of the argument you presented.

 

REBUILD STEP TWO--RESPOND TO OPPONENT ARGUMENTS USING 4 STEP

As you do, be sure to:

4. Point out what parts of your argument that your opponent did not address

5. Press (point out flaws in) your opponent’s responses

6. Respond to your opponent’s responses by referring to the argument you made in your case or with a new argument supported by analysis or evidence.

7. Extend (make stronger and develop) the argument you presented by making new arguments supported by analysis or evidence

Be Sure To State Your Opponent’s Response, Transfer, Make Your Response and make a convincing summary statement.

 

REBUILD STEP THREE: Explain why your position is stronger.

Show why they haven’t really attacked your argument; why your evidence is superior; or why your argument is logically stronger.

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