Refutation China Debate Education Network:

Definition of Refutation Refutation involves one debater directly responding to an argument of an opposing debater Refutation involves a debater objecting to an argument raised by someone on the other side

Purpose of Refutation To deny a competing argument Weaken or even destroy an argument To force the original debater to generate a better argument

Methods of Refutation Internal method: criticizing the argument according to the standards of logical arguments External Method: Creating counter arguments

Methods of Refutation: Internal Method Evaluation according to the standards of good arguments – Acceptability of evidence – Relevance of link – Sufficiency of link

Methods of Refutation: External Method Creating counter arguments Objecting to opposing arguments with arguments of your own.

Methods of Refutation: Combination Method Combines internal and external methods Evaluates the argument according to the standards of a good argument while simultaneously creating a counter argument This is the strongest method of refutation

Deciding What to Refute Can’t refute everything Don’t focus on arguments that are the easiest to refute Focus on important arguments Focus on arguments essential to the opposing speaker’s case Focus on arguments that prevent you from making your own case

Four-Step Refutation Process 1. “They say…” (identify the target argument you will be refuting) 2. “But I say…” (state the claim of your own refutation) 3. “Because…” (provide support for your refutation) 4. “Therefore…” (explain why the argument is important to the debate)

Four-Step Refutation Process Opposing Argument:“They said...” “But I say... “Because...” “Therefore...”