Midterm Definitions and Examples Flashcards
(34 cards)
Advantages/Disadvantages
An advantage is the way that the affirmative team refers to the positive consequences of adopting their position on the debate resolution. A disadvantage is an unintended consequence of action.
Affirmative Plan (requirements/components):
a. Harm
b. Inherency
c. Plan
d. Solvency
Argumentation (procedural, substantive):
a. Procedural arguments are characterized by the procedure in which they are adduced. It is argued that there is more to argumentation than structure.
b. Substantive argument is one that can be backed up with research and that is based on real facts.
Authority as a means of defining terms:
Some terms may be defined most effectively by referring to an authority qualified to state their meaning and usage. Dictionaries, encyclopedias, and books and articles by recognized scholars are often used as authority for a particular definition. In debates on whether “advertising degrades the quality of life in the United States,” some debaters turned to the America Heritage Dictionary for their initial definitions of degrades and quality of life. Failure to consult the proper authority can lead to unexpected results. In one instance Time magazine chided the Nebraska legislature for failure to consult a recognized authority in drafting drug legislation, which resulted in a drug offender going free.
Blocking Evidence
Structure information on card and easy to use.
Burden of Proof
The obligation to prove what one asserts. Applies to both the affirmative and the negative, as any advocate forwarding a claim must provide support sufficient to overcome the natural presumption against that claim.
Burden of Refutation
the obligation to refute, or respond to, opposing arguments. Applies to both the affirmative and the negative. Failure to fulfill it results in the acceptance of the unrefuted argument.
Clash
one of the fundamental principles of any kind of debate, is simply what happens when arguments directly oppose each other, or clash against each other. The opposition team provides clash when they attempt to undermine the logic of the proposition team’s case.
Common Usage Definition of Terms
In the interest of accuracy and precision, debate propositions sometimes contain technical terms. Often these terms can be defined effectively by referring to common usage, or “common person” or “person on the street” definition. For example, in debates on the proposition “Resolved: That the requirement of membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment should be illegal,” some affirmative teams defined an important term by saying, “By labor organizations we mean the type of organization popularly referred to as unions.” This reference to common usage usually served to establish a definition acceptable to both teams and clear to the audience. Although the word unions would have served well as a definition, it would not have been an acceptable term for use in the proposition. Many important “unions” operate under the legal title of brotherhoods, associations, federations, or other names; and most important legislation regulating unions speaks of labor organizations. Had the word unions been used in the proposition, it might have led to some pointless quibbles as to whether such legislation would apply to organizations such as the railroad brotherhoods.
Components/Requirements of 1AC presentation:
Establish affirmative’s advocacy resolution –state proposition, define terms, etc. There is a problem that could be solved: significance, harm, advantage. The status quo isn’t going to solve this problem without change-inherency. Here is our specific proposal of what ought to be done –plan. Our plan will solve the problem/harm –solvency.
Constructive Speech
make and support your main arguments in favor of the resolution (when you are affirmative) or against the resolution (when you are negative). It will provide support for those arguments in the form of evidence and reasoning.
Debate
a formal discussion on a particular topic in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward.
Derivation as means of defining terms (FS)
One of the standard methods of defining words is to trace their development from their original, or radical elements. Definition by derivation has limited use in argumentation and debate, because the advocate is usually concerned with the contemporary use of the word within a specific context.
Evidence
refers to facts, documentation or testimony used to strengthen a claim, support an argument or reach a conclusion. The evidence isn’t the same as proof.
Example as a means of defining terms (FS)
Giving an example is often an effective method of defining terms. In debates on the “national program of public works” proposition, affirmative teams sometimes defined their terms by saying, “By a national program of public work, we mean a program similar to the WPA of the 1930s.” In this way they gave their audience a specific example of the type of program they proposed. Examples are generally discovered by debaters in the course of researching their issues and thus, they tend to appear in the literature related to the proposition or topic area.
Framing
often presents facts in such a way that implicates a problem that is in need of a solution. Members of political parties attempt to frame issues in a way that makes a solution favoring their own political leanings appear as the most appropriate course of action for the situation at hand.
Issue
in policy debate which refers to problems inherent in the status quo. These problems may be either actual (occurring at the time of the policy decision) or potential (not currently occurring in the status quo, but with the possibility of occurring in the future).
Lincoln-Douglas (LD) Debate
a type of one-on-one debate practiced mainly in the United States at the high school level. It is sometimes also called values debate because the format traditionally places a heavy emphasis on logic, ethical values, and philosophy.
Negation to define terms (FS)
Sometimes a term may be defined effectively by indicating what it does not mean. In debates on the nationalization of basic industries, some teams defined basic industries by combining negation with example. That is, they said, “We do not mean the corner drugstore, we do not mean retail businesses, we do not mean service businesses; we mean steel, autos, transportation, mining, oil, and gas.”
Operation as a means of defining terms (FS)
Some terms are best defined if the advocate provides an operational definition and explains the function or special purpose represented by the terms in a specific context. Debates on the proposition “Resolved: That the nonagricultural industries should guarantee their employees an annual wage” required careful definition of the phrase guarantee an annual wage. Some affirmative advocates chose to provide an operational definition, defining these terms by presenting their plan.
Opponent/Con/Negative Side-Team
the negative side presents arguments and evidence to oppose the proposition. Term. Argument. Definition. The statement of an objective reason that directly supports the position of either the affirmative side or the negative side.
Policy Debate
a form of debate competition in which teams of two advocate for and against a resolution that typically calls for policy change by the United States federal government.
Prima Facie
a case that is persuasive, on its face, to a reasonable judge; should present arguments consisting of evidence and reasoning in support of the proposition. (arguments must be offered in support of the stock issues to be persuasive).
Propositions & Resolutions
Both sides seek to win against the other while following the rules. One side is typically in favor of (also known as “for”, “Affirmative”, or “Pro”) or opposed to (also known as “against”, “Negative”, “Con”) a statement, proposition, moot or Resolution. A resolution or topic is a normative statement which the affirmative team affirms and the negative team negates. Resolutions are selected annually by affiliated schools.
