Elements of DebateHence, for all practical purposes, the term proof means those items of evidence and reasoning which tend to make an audience agree with the assertions.

The Debater’s Guide

PropositionsA judgment expressed in a declarative statement. In a debate it appears as an affirmative statement of the question to be resolved. Question: Should UNCW have a football

team? Proposition: Resolved: UNCW should

have a football team.

Types of PropositionsProposition of Fact: that a fact is/is not true or that an event did/did not take placeProposition of Value: makes an evaluation or judgment about an issue or event based on criteriaProposition of Policy: declares that a certain action should or should not be taken

IssuesIssues: a conclusion that must be proven in order to establish that a proposition be adopted Issues arise when there is an actual or

anticipated clash between two or more claims

Issues can arise around facts, values or policies

ArgumentsAn assertion that implies and demonstrates the result of reasoning or proof. Reasoning Evidence Toulmin’s Model

Toulmin’s ModelClaimData/

GroundsWarrant

Backing

Qualifier

Rebuttal

EvidenceEvidence: matters of fact or opinion offered as support or proof of assertions advanced in the debate Types of Evidence Qualities of

Evidence

Definitions“Definitions, then, are not just meanings of words we look up in dictionaries. Definitions are kinds of arguments, and they have serious consequences for the direction as well as the destination of any practical reasoning.” Corbett and Eberly : The Elements of Reasoning.

Definitions . . .

Types of DefinitionsFormalCommon UsageAuthorityExampleOperationalFunctionalNegationComparison/Contrast

PresumptionPresumption: a statement or belief that is granted without argument Technical

presumption Conventional

presumption Ideal and Real

The Level of DisputeWhat aspects of the case are beneath the “level of dispute”?

Claim

EvidenceReasoning

ApplicationWork with a partner to diagram and complete a Toulmin model for one of the following claims: Wikepedia is a viable source for our

debates. Wikepedia is not a viable source for

our debates.

Toulmin’s ModelClaimData/

GroundsWarrant

Backing

Qualifier

RebuttalWikepedia is a viable source of information for our debates.Wikepedia is not a viable source of information for our debates.

Next TimeStock IssuesThe Role of ResearchApplication workshop Have some evidence/resources we

can work with on your topic!