China Debate Education Network: Constructing Arguments Presented by Li Yong, Guangxi University Chen Ying, Guangxi University of Finance and Economics Robert Trapp, Willamette University

Arguments and Argumentation Arguments are tools primarily used in debates Arguments use reasons to establish claims. Since all debaters will use arguments, general principles of constructing arguments are needed.

Elements of Arguments Claim: the main point or conclusion of an argument. Evidence: any information on which the claim rests. Evidence is information that supports the claim. Link: a link is a statement that creates a bridge between the evidence and the claim. Reservation: not present in all arguments, a reservation explains special circumstances when the claim should be set aside.

Structure of a Simple Argument a single piece of evidence leads to a single claim, following along a single link, and perhaps accompanied by a reservation.

Structure of a Simple Argument In this example, the evidence is actually a previous claim that the audience has been convinced to accept.

Structure of a Simple Argument

Argument with Linked Structure Consists of multiple pieces of evidence linked with one another.

Argument with Linked Structure

Argument with Independent Structure Several pieces of evidence independently support a claim

Argument with Independent Structure

General Principles for Argument Construction Consequences of action – Choosing the action that has the most (or best) positive consequences and the fewest negative consequences. Principles that guide actions – Evaluates actions based on the inherent rightness or wrongness of the act rather than on the positive or negative consequences of the action.

Consequences Claim: Israeli policy towards Palestinian citizens prevents terrorist attacks on Israel. Description:Israeli policy allows Palestinian houses to be destroyed if suspected terrorists are present. Relationship:A policy of destroying houses containing suspected terrorists prevents terrorist attacks on Israel. Evaluation:Terrorist attacks on Israel have killed thousands of Israeli citizens.

Principles Claim: Israeli policy towards its Palestinian citizens violates the principle of human rights. Description: Current Israeli policy allows Palestinian homes to be destroyed. Relationship:Allowing homes to be destroyed violates of the right to property. Evaluation:The right to property is a basic human right. The Israeli policy therefore violates the principle of human rights.