CHAPTER 3

THE SUBJECT OF ARGUMENTATION

THE SUBJECT OF ARGUMENTATIONPROPOSITION “An expression in words of an act of

judgement.”An act of judgement is a mental

assertion of something true or untrue.

It is expressed in a complete statement with a subject and a predicate.

It allows an affirmance or a denial.

THE SUBJECT OF ARGUMENTATION

Illustrations: The Filipino woman of yesterday was

better than the Filipino woman of today.

Capital punishment should be abolished.

City mayors should be elected by popular vote.

CLASSES:

PROPOSITION

PROPOSITION OF FACT

PROPOSITION OF POLICY

CONCERNED WITH THE TRUTH OR

FALSITY OF AN ACT OF JUDGEMENT

IS THIS ASSERTION TRUE?

CONCERNED WITH THE WISDOM OR UNWISDOM, THE EXPEDIENCY OR

INEXPEDIENCY, OF A COURSE OF ACTION.

SHOULD IT BE DONE?

Classes:

THE SUBJECT OF ARGUMENTATION

Illustration:

PROPOSITION OF FACT 1. Resolved, That elective city mayors

are more efficient than appointive ones.

2. Resolved, That the Chinese are a menace to our national security.

THE SUBJECT OF ARGUMENTATION

Illustration:PROPOSITION OF POLICY 1. Resolved, That the Filipino woman

should be disfranchised. 2. Resolved, That the term of office of

the President be six years, without re-election.

Why is it important to know proposition?

THE SUBJECT OF ARGUMENTATION

Proposition may not be formally expressed.

Proposition must always be expressed in the introduction, in public discussions it is not always advisable to do so.

THE SUBJECT OF ARGUMENTATION This is especially the case when one is

to present views in a specific problem to the readers whose prejudices and beliefs are know to be opposed.

In public discussions on questions of national importance, it is advisable that the arguer first present the problem in the form of question.

THE SUBJECT OF ARGUMENTATION The arguer may disclose his stand

on this questions after he has carefully prepared the willingness to his audience to listen to him.

But in a formal contest debate, it is imperative that the propositions be always expressed in the form of a resolution.

THE SUBJECT OF ARGUMENTATION

The Forms of the Propositions:

A. In a Club.B. In a parliamentary body.C. In a Municipal Council.D. In a court of Law.

In a Club

Such as literary society, a fraternity and a class organization.

The proposition is presented in the form of a motion from the floor.

THE SUBJECT OF ARGUMENTATION

In a Parliamentary body Such as the House of a

Representatives.

The proposition is presented in any one of the following forms:A bill, a resolution, or a motion.

In a Municipal Council

Such as Municipal Council of the City of the of Manila.

The proposition is presented in any one of the following forms:

an ordinance , or a motion or a resolution.

In a court of Law The is presented in the forms of a

pleading.

Pleading may found in:1. Complaint2. Information 3. Petition 4. Motion

Characteristics of Proposition Good for Debate

Propositions

Speakers The audience

Occasion Their education

Training Experiences Likes and Dislikes Interest Idiosyncrasies

May be chosen because it is timely, its discussion is profitable or it is best adapted to the interest of the debater or audience.

A proposition should satisfy the following requirement:

A. The proposition must be in the form of an assertion

-In a form of affirmation

-Declarative

-Positive

B. The proposition must express only one act of judgment.

-Must express single idea-A proposition must NOT express TWO acts of judgment.

Resolved, That the Philippines establish a unicameral legislature and that the Speaker of the House of the Representatives be elected by direct popular vote.

C. Must be susceptible of only one interpretation.

-The words used in the Statement should be clear.

-Must use clear definition of words and double meaning word must be avoided.

D. The proposition must be unprejudiced.

-There should not be a word of praise or blame.- Avoid offensive words.

E. The proposition should avoid abstraction and generalizations.

-The Idea must be Concrete and specific.-Must avoid Generalization.

F. The proposition must be concise and simple.-Unnecessary information should be omitted.- Words should be understandable to the audience and both debater.

Resolved, that the women should organize a civic club.

Resolved, in order to serve the end of justice and meet public demand, retail trade be nationalized.

G. The proposition must be debatable.-The statement must not expedient , wise or obviously true or false.-Must allow enough opinions to rise.

H. The burden of proof shall fall on the affirmative side.

-Affirmative side must take the burden of proof from the opposing side.

-Resolved, That to be honest is to be honorable.-Resolved, That China is bigger than Japan.

Resolved, That the Filipino woman should be granted the right of suffrage.

I. A proposition must be interesting. -A proposition must be within the comprehension of both audience and the speaker.

Resolved, That coronary thrombosis is curable.

A. The proposition must be in the form of an assertion

B. The proposition must express only one act of judgment.

C. Must be susceptible of only one interpretation.D. The proposition must be unprejudiced.E. The proposition should avoid abstraction and

generalizations.F. The proposition must be concise and simple.G. The proposition must be debatable.H. The burden of proof shall fall on the

affirmative side.I. Must be interesting.

Thank you!