How to argue

There is no one way to construct an argument. It varies for every motion, and
argument.
A statement claimed An argument has a
as true logical explanation for
the statement claimed
as true
Debate is fun. Debate is fun
because…
All arguments contain one
or more premises and one
or more conclusions.
Are generally accepted truths—this is the foundation of your argument and
this is where you will derive your conclusion.
Is an idea that you can logically derive from the premises you use.
Slavery makes people do things that are against their will.

Making people do things against their will is morally wrong.

Therefore, slavery is morally wrong.

Not all that seems logical makes sense. Flaws in logic are what we call
fallacies.
 Pinnochio always lies.

Pinnochio said that the sun rises in the east.

Therefore, the sun rising in the east is a lie.

 1. Idea
2. Analysis
3. Example
4. Conclusion
the concept or proposition that you seek to prove
 How
Why
So what
Can be recent news, statistics, case studies, or other facts that illustrate
and support your idea.
This wraps up your argument and ties it back to the motion.
 Your arguments does not have to rigidly follow this structure. Sometimes
examples can precede the analysis or can even be cited during the analysis.

The important thing is for you to recognize the elements of a full argument.
How to disprove arguments
• A body of ideas that seeks to disprove something
• We shouldn’t eat in McDo because...
• We shouldn’t buy shoes because...
• We shouldn’t study because...
• “Body of ideas”
• Coherent premises
• “Seeks to disprove”
• Not inherently conclusive
• Saying “shoes are bad” does not make it true immediately
• Procedural; demands rigorous analysis
• Substantive
• He /she said this, therefore...
• Deconstructs and destroys the opponent using their own material
• Technical
• He/she didn’t say this, therefore...
• Implies vagueness and lack of strategy from your opponent
• “Premise x is false.”
• “Assuming it’s true, outcome y does not happen”
• “Assuming outcome happens, outcome is not good”
• “Assuming outcome is good, it does not accomplish goal z”
• Premise <-”Reframe” the bias a judge has for the argument
presented
• Analysis <-Prove lack of causality between premise and
conclusion
• Example *Generally, non-priority
• Conclusion <-Prove conclusion does nothing significant for
opponent’s case
• Rebuttals on Premise
• Reduces friction between your speech’s premise and the opponent’s
premise (danger of rejection)
• Important to clarify what things your house will not concede to (strategic
concessions)
• Rebuttals on Analysis
• Point out logical fallacies to lessen credibility
• Prove that x =/> y, or x => y but also z
• ...therefore x is not a problem, or x can be solved by better means, or x is self-
resolving, etc.
• Rebuttals on Example
• Provide counterexample to concretize your rebuttal (danger of
deadlock)
• Be prepared to say “regardless if example x or y exists, action
should be (insert melons here)”
• Rebuttals on Conclusion
• Conclusion is wrong, or is not the conclusion wanted
• Ask “Did the argument accomplish its goal?” and “Is the
argument consistent with the standards set?”
 Argument-rebuttal chain
Think of one argument for the motion and rebut previous speaker
Follow the argument structure!
Idea
Analysis – HOW WHY SO WHAT
Example
Conclusion
Matter Quiz
6-17-2015
 1
What are the three branches of government in a presidential system of
democracy?
(Legislative, Executive, Judicial)
 2
Who is the commander-of-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines?
(The President/P-Noy)
 3
This is the act of hunting and punishing criminals—usually killing them—by
an entity that claims to uphold justice separate from the local police force
without due process?
(Vigilantism)
 4
Which human rights violation is Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte accused
of?
(Extra-judicial killings)
 5
Which Asian country did just recently lower their voting age from 20 to 18?
(Japan)
 6
While Jejomar Binay is facing plunder charges and Duterte accused of human
rights violations, what issue is probable presidential candidate Grace Poe
currently facing?
(citizenship)
 7
What are the two religious denominations under Islam?
(Sunni and Shia)
 8
It is social stratification based on personal merit which includes a person’s
knowledge, abilities, and effort.
(meritocracy)
 9
It is a system that classifies society hierarchically based on race.
(apartheid)
 10
Who was the iconic political figure that fought against the racial
classification and discrimination in South Africa during the 1990s that
eventually became its president?
(Nelson Mandela)