THE IMPORTANCE OF PHRASING

Understanding the Resolution

Step One:

Resolved: Violence is a justifiable response to oppression.

Define your terms.

VIOLENCE

To be violentPhysical force for purpose of violating or

damagingIntensity or severityAbusive exercise of powerA strong showing of feeling or expression;

profanityTending to injureDestructive action

Oppression

The act of oppressing or state of being oppressed

Arbitrary and cruel exercise of powerThe feeling of being heavily weighed down in

body and mindSevere and abusive use of force or authority

Justifiable

Possible to justifyHaving sufficient groundsActing impartially or with fairnessConsistent with what is morally right and

good; righteousProperly due or meritedValid within the law; sufficient legal reasonBased on sound reasoning; reasonable

Step Two:

What is the subject(s) being evaluated?• Definition: The topic being debated. The

controversial object in the resolution. • Ask yourself: What is the thing that we

are determining to be right, just, moral, beneficial, etc.?

Example

So, what is the subject(s) in our example resolution?

Answer: Violence

Step Three:

Is the resolution comparative or noncomparative?• Definition:

Comparative means we are arguing two subjects in their relationship to each other. We are trying to prioritize between two competing issues. Both may be good, but the topic is asking which is best or preferable.

Noncomparative means we are arguing the pros and cons of a single subject or issue. Is it good or bad?

• Ask yourself: Is there one or two subjects being debated? Has the negative been given a subject to defend or is the negative’s job only to deny the affirmative?

Let’s look at some other resolutions…

• Noncomparative: People ought to follow the letter of the law.

One subject: Letter of the law

• Comparative: People ought to follow the letter of the law above the spirit of the law.

Two subjects: letter of the law vs. spirit of the law

And Some More…

• The criminal justice system ought to focus on rehabilitation.

What is the subject(s)? Answer: rehabilitation So is this comparative or noncomparative? Answer: noncomparative

What about this one?

• The criminal justice system ought to prioritize rehabilitation over punishment.

What is the subject(s)? Answer: rehabilitation vs. punishment So is this comparative or noncomparative? Answer: comparative

Example

So, is our example resolution comparative or noncomparative?

Answer: Noncomparative

Step Four:

In what context is the subject placed? Or, what are the limits within which the subject is being defended?• Definition: The boundaries on the topic

based on the situation given. These are the only conditions debaters are required to argue in the round, but you may have to point that out to your judge.

Let’s look at some other resolutions…

• Resolved: Vigilantism is justified when the government has failed to enforce the law.

What is the subject? Answer: Vigilantism Comparative or noncomparative? Answer: Noncomparative What context limits the subject, in this case

vigilantism? Or, to put it another way, vigilantism has to be defended only under what conditions?

Answer: when the government has failed to enforce the law.

Example

So, what is the context of our example?

Answer: oppression

Why does context matter?

Violence only has to be defended in the situation of oppression, not as a general concept.

This is SUPER important! Why?

Step Five:

What is the evaluative term? Does it suggest a value for the debate?• Definition: The word or phrase that will

be used to judge the subject. This usually takes the form of the verb clause in the resolutional sentence.

• Ask yourself: What am I trying to prove about the subject?

Example

So, what is the evaluative term/phrase in our example?

Answer: justifiable response

Step Six:

Who is the agent of action? Is the agent explicit or implicit?• Definition: The person, group, or

organization that would put the subject into action in the real world if the resolution were to come true. Explicit: Directly stated in the topic. We are clearly

told the actor. Implicit: The actor isn’t directly stated but is

suggested by the topic or implied.

Example

So, who/what is the agent of action in our resolution?

Answer: The person or group

being oppressed; the ones revolting

Example

Is the agent explicit or implicit?

Answer: Implicit

Step Seven:

What other actors would be involved or effected?• Definition: Other people, groups, or

organizations that might feel the impacts of the primary agent.

Thinking deeper…

When a person breaks the law, the agent of action would be the criminal.

Who else does the criminal potentially impact by his/her actions?

Example

So, who are the other actors impacted by the primary agent in our example resolution?

Answer: The oppressor (one hurting the agent)

What about third parties?

Step Eight:

Think about the function of every single word!

Resolved: Violence is a justifiable response to political oppression.Resolved: Violence is a justifiable response to oppression.

What if we made this change?

Resolved: Violent revolution is a justifiable response to political oppression.Resolved: Violence is a justifiable response to political oppression.

One final change…

Resolved: Violent revolution is a justifiable response to political oppression.Resolved: Violent revolution is a justifiable response to political oppression.

Now It Is Your Turn!

Directions: • Complete the resolution analysis activity in

groups of four.