The Resolution is a statement of the topic of the debate. The entire debate is a test of the validity of this statement. Therefore, wording and semantics are crucial. A resolution is written as a declarative sentence that would allow the pro side of the argument the opportunity to prove the resolution correct and the negative side the opportunity to challenge or prove the resolution incorrect.
Resolved: Cheeseburgers are better than spaghetti.
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Affirmative & Negative
The Affirmative is the side of the debate that presents an argument to support the resolution and prove its validity. (Also would be considered the “pro” side of the issue)
The Negative is the side of the debate that seeks to challenge the or contend the resolution. (Also would be considered the “con” side of the issue)
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Value
The Value
Oftentimes, the debate will center on a value that you choose as the cornerstone of your position.
Resolved: Cheeseburgers are better than spaghetti.
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Before you can start arguing about which of these two foods is more valuable, you need to figure out what yardstick to use to measure them: Is it Good Taste? Nutritional Value? Ease of Preparation? Aesthetic Presentation? The yardstick you choose is called your Value. Some values are more…valuable than others, meaning they deserve stronger consideration in the debate. This is typically how one wins a value-based debate: by proving your value should be given more consideration by the judges.
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Criteria & Contentions
The value is achieved through certain Criteria. So if you value nutrition in this debate, what criteria will you use to prove your stance correct? (In other words, what standard will you use to judge nutritional value?) The value of Nutrition, your criterion might be the Four Food Groups, as set up by the U.S. Dept of Health, Education and Welfare.
A contention is a name for a claim made for- or against- the resolution.
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Know Your Audience
Effective rhetoricians KNOW THEIR AUDIENCE and what their audience values; therefore, they present arguments to appeal to them.
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Debate Tactics
Resolved: Cheeseburgers are better than spaghetti.
If you're debating for the cheeseburger, you might take "Good Taste" as the most important value; if you're taking the side of spaghetti, you might claim that "Nutrition" must be the value by which to measure foods.
In this debate, the affirmative might claim that if food doesn't taste good, no one will eat it. The negative might claim that nutrition is prime and that if it's not good for the body, it's not good food. From this example, you can see that the debate should go back and forth.
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Evidence
Evidence is used to backup or support your contentions/claims.
The spaghetti negative might be:
Value: Life
Criterion: Nutrition
Contention One: Spaghetti provides a high standard of nutrition needed for life.
***Evidence needed to support this contention. (Think ethos, logos, pathos!)
Contention Two: A cheeseburger is fat-filled and therefore, fails to provide nutrition.
***Evidence needed to support this contention. (Think ethos, logos, pathos!)
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Other Key Debate Terms
Cross Examination– questioning period
Constructive Speech -- first speech that builds a case/argument out of contentions and evidence
Refutation – directly attacking the opposing debater/s’ arguments
Rebuttal speech– rebuilds arguments after attacks, refutes arguments of the opposing team, and summarizes the debate