Argumentation & Debate

Learning to argue constructively, effectively, and ethically

What is an argument?

What is an argument? Advancing and supporting claims in an

attempt to influence the opinions of others.

The Procedural Norms of arguing

The Procedural Norms of arguing

Cooperativeness

The Procedural Norms of arguing

Cooperativeness Bilaterality

The Procedural Norms of arguing

Cooperativeness Bilaterality Reflective judgment

Why is arguing frequently regarded as a hostile, rather than a cooperative activity?

Forms of Debate

Forms of Debate Political debate, public events

Forms of Debate Political debate, public events Legal debate

Forms of Debate Political debate, public events Legal debate Parliamentary debate

Forms of Debate Political debate, public events Legal debate Parliamentary debate Nonformal debate, scholarly debate

Forms of Debate Political debate, public events Legal debate Parliamentary debate Nonformal debate, scholarly debate Academic debate

Assumptions underlying educational debate (ED)

Assumptions underlying educational debate (ED)

ED is free of a particular subject matter

Assumptions underlying educational debate (ED)

ED is free of a particular subject matter ED is a cooperative activity

Assumptions underlying educational debate (ED)

ED is free of a particular subject matter ED is a cooperative activity ED depends upon the notion that

humans should be rational beings

Why has debate prospered in an educational setting?

Of what importance are the skills of debate to a democratic society?

Values of Educational Debate

Debate provides preparation for effective participation in free society

Voting The judicial system Organizational decision-making

Debate offers preparation for leadership

Debate provides for investigation & analysis of significant issues

CETA: Job training EPA: Nuclear regulation & the

environment Star Wars: A federal program to

develop space

Debate develops proficiency in critical thinking

Emphasizes a logical approach Emphasizes supporting evidence Emphasizes a critical search for

fallacies in reasoning

Debate integrates knowledge areas

Debate develops proficiency in listening

Debate develops proficiency in purposeful inquiry

Debate emphasizes quality teaching

Individual attention to students Tutorial help Interactive teaching (give & take) Immediate feedback to improve

performance

Debate promotes student scholarship

Debate develops the ability to make prompt, analytical responses

Debate develops proficiency in writing

Debate encourages mature judgment

See all sides of an issue Understand how inquiry and analysis

can change points of view Encourages a scientific approach to

problem solving

Debate develops courage

Debate encourages effective speech composition and delivery

Debate encourages effective speech composition and delivery

But NOT tournament debate!!

Debate develops social maturity

Tolerate disagreement without effect to personal relationships

Accept decisions without argument Learn to adapt self-expression to a rigid

system of rules and time contraints Learn debate manners Learn the value of teamwork

Debate Formats

Debate can be either team (2 person) debate or Lincoln Douglas (individual) debate.

Lincoln Douglas debate

Most often involves questions of value rather than policy--more on that later…

Affirmative Constructive 6 minutes

Cross examination 3 minutes

Negative Constructive 7 minutes

Cross examination 3 minutes

Affirmative rebuttal 4 minutes

Negative rebuttal 6 minutes

Affirmative rebuttal 3 minutes

Standard Debate1st AFF Constructive 10 minutes

1st NEG Constructive 10 minutes

2nd AFF Constructive 10 minutes

2nd NEG Constructive 10 minutes

1st NEG Rebuttal 5 minutes

1st AFF Rebuttal 5 minutes

2nd NEG Rebuttal 5 minutes

2nd AFF Rebuttal 5 minutes

Cross-examination Debate

Same as standard except that each constructive is followed by a cross examination period and time limits for all speeches are slightly reduced.

Preparation Time

Prep time is an expendable resource that allows debaters to take time-out before speeches in order to prepare.

Typical abbreviations 1AC First affirmative constructive 2NC Second negative constructive 2NR Second negative rebuttal CX Cross examination