Chapter 3 Analysis of the Issue

Definition of Terms Define unfamiliar words Define unfamiliar words Define words with multiple meanings Define words with multiple meanings Significantly, substantially, increase, reduce, and comprehensive-need to specifically state what is meant by this in definition of terms! Significantly, substantially, increase, reduce, and comprehensive-need to specifically state what is meant by this in definition of terms! Define key words or phrases: foreign policy Define key words or phrases: foreign policy

Ways to Define Common usage: the way the word is commonly used everyday, from the press, or government interpretations Common usage: the way the word is commonly used everyday, from the press, or government interpretations Dictionary definitions: standard dictionaries or specialized dictionaries-such as Black’s Law Dictionary. Dictionary definitions: standard dictionaries or specialized dictionaries-such as Black’s Law Dictionary. Negation: Tell what the word does not mean: By federal support of schools, we do not mean private schools, only public school systems Negation: Tell what the word does not mean: By federal support of schools, we do not mean private schools, only public school systems

Ways to Define Textbooks that are subject specific Textbooks that are subject specific Example: Strongsville High School’s dress code should change to resemble Berea High School’s Dress code. Example: Strongsville High School’s dress code should change to resemble Berea High School’s Dress code. Government publications: If you are debating something at the federal or state level, use their websites to define terminology! usa.gov! Government publications: If you are debating something at the federal or state level, use their websites to define terminology! usa.gov!

Ways to Define Context clues-define word based on reading the paragraph to grasp the meaning of the debate term/s. Context clues-define word based on reading the paragraph to grasp the meaning of the debate term/s. Internet sites Internet sites When defining terms, don’t just look at one source-check several; look for consistent definitions from several sources When defining terms, don’t just look at one source-check several; look for consistent definitions from several sources

Who defines? Affirmative defines terms within the proposition. To save time, negative must agree on definition of terms before debate begins. Affirmative defines terms within the proposition. To save time, negative must agree on definition of terms before debate begins.

Define Issues More than one possible case for each debate topic More than one possible case for each debate topic What are the problems? What are the problems? What is the status quo? (the way things are done currently) What is the status quo? (the way things are done currently) Need to research the issue fully Need to research the issue fully List what is known about debate topic List what is known about debate topic Ask question to dig deeper into issue Ask question to dig deeper into issue

Define the Problem How long have we had the problem? How long have we had the problem? What seems to have caused it? What seems to have caused it? What solutions, if any, have been tried before? What solutions, if any, have been tried before? Why didn’t the solutions work? Why didn’t the solutions work? In what ways are conditions different now? In what ways are conditions different now?

Define the Controversy Why are you debating this particular topic at this particular time? Why are you debating this particular topic at this particular time? What is causing you or others to be concerned about certain facts, or to question certain values, or to favor a particular policy? What is causing you or others to be concerned about certain facts, or to question certain values, or to favor a particular policy? What are the different views that people have of the position? What are the different views that people have of the position?