Key Debate Terms

KEY DEBATE TERMS ● Argument v. Debate ○ Arguments and debates are not the same thing, though they share a few qualities. ○ The main common quality is that both involve PERSUASION, trying to get someone to agree with a proposition. ● Basic Debate Elements ○ Proposition (Claim) ○ Side (Your version of the claim/your opinion about the topic) ○ Arguments (Reasons you have for thinking your side is the right side) ○ Evidence (Information that supports your arguments) ● Propositions ○ In argument and debate, a PROPOSITION is a specific statement that some people agree with, and others disagree with. ■ A proposition should allow both sides to provide specific and thoughtful reasons supporting their side. ○ APPLICATION: PROPOSITIONS ■ “I like chocolate ice cream better than vanilla ice cream.” ● This is NOT a proposition. There is no way to argue that “I” actually DON’T like chocolate better than vanilla. ○ This is a personal opinion. ● Can you change this into a proposition? ■ Answer: “Chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla ice cream.” ● Key difference: Instead of arguing about a personal preference, the structure of this proposition enables you to give specific reasons why one side makes more sense than the other. ○ Ex: “Chocolate has flavonoids and antioxidants, which can improve your health.” ■ How many sides are there to this proposition? ● AT LEAST two (maybe more!) ○ Ex: “Although chocolate and vanilla ice cream are both great choices, strawberry ice cream is better than the two.” ○ Main Sides to a Proposition ■ PRO SIDE: People in favor of a proposition: They AGREE with it and will try to prove the proposition is correct. ■ CON SIDE: People who are against the proposition: They DISAGREE with it and will try to prove the proposition is incorrect. ● Argument ○ In debating, the word Argument has a specific meaning: A reason your side is right. ● Evidence ○ Evidence is information that supports your argument. There are different kinds of evidence; often, we want to research information that can support our side. ● Closed v. Open Propositions ○ CLOSED Propositions: Require debaters to be “pro” or “con” ■ Ex: Strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree ○ OPEN Propositions: Questions or statements with a blank in them that require debaters to give their own individual, specific answers.