ArgumentsHow to Build Them

Alfred Snider, World Debate Institute

Components

• Assertion – The name of the argument• Thesis – Describe the argument briefly• Reasoning – Explain the logic behind the

argument• Evidence – Show things in reality that support

the argument• Significance – Explain why this argument is

important• Result – Explain what this means for the

decision in this debate

ASSERTION

• A complete thought• What the argument is, briefly• Rhetorically Snappy• This becomes the “name” or “label” in the

debate.• Just like in a paragraph

THESIS

• Explain the argument in one or two sentences

• Bring the audience on board with the idea

• When they understand the whole, they assemble the parts more effectively

REASONING

• Use the logical connections: causation, category

• Explain relationships between parts of the argument

• Explain “why” things happen

• The “why” can be thought of as the warrant

EVIDENCE

Explain how the abstract argument operates in reality• Example• Statistics• Narrative• Visualization• Common idea• Famous quotation

SIGNFICANCE

Explain why this argument is important, who cares?• Number• Each one is important• Time frame• Probability• Reversibility• Voluntary or involuntary• Morally required

RESULT

• What does this mean for the decision?

• How does this compare with what else is being said?

• Why is this more important than other ideas?

SO WHAT?

IF YOU AIM AT NOTHING YOU WILL SURELY HIT IT

MAKE ARGUMENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WAY PEOPLE LISTEN

MAKE COMPLETE ARGUMENTS, JUDGES WILL NOT DO YOUR WORK