1. FORMAL DEBATE UNIT DEFINING TERMS AND ISSUES PART 2

2. DEFINING TERMS  Make sure you define all necessary terms in your proposition. This way, both sides are in agreement upon the definitions.  Within the actual debate, the affirmative will present the terms which were defined and agreed upon by both sides.  Prompt and precise terminology is essential to good analysis in debate.  The way you and your fellow debaters define the proposition determines the kind of information you will prepare.

3. Five Ways To Define Terms of a Proposition 1.Authority: a reference source, dictionary, or leading text in which there is a clear definition ◦ For Example: Black’s Law Dictionary could be used in defining what is meant by “the jury’s system” in a proposition calling for a change in that system. 2.Example: Provide a specific example 3.Negation: stressing what a term does NOT mean.

4. Five Ways To Define Terms of a Proposition 4. Origin of a term: break the term into parts and explain their individual meanings and from where the part originated.  For Example—Resolved: That the federal government should establish programs to control air pollution in the United States. You could explain that the word establish is derived from the Latin stabilis—meaning firm and stable. To establish a program then means to create something with the idea of it being permanent and stable. 5. Compare/contrast a difficult or technical term with one that is more familiar:  Use one or a combination of the methods for each term.  For Example: If you are debating whether the next drama production is to be produced on a “raked” stage, you could define a raked stage by comparing it with a conventional stage.

5. Practice Time: Which words would need to be defined in the following propositions? 1.Resolved: That the federal government should ban the sale of all detergent containing phosphates. 2.Resolved: That environmental control standards should be reduced. 3.Resolved: That two credits in practical arts be required for high school graduation. 4.Resolved: That Congress should prohibit unilateral United States military intervention in foreign countries.

6. Investigating the Debate Proposition DEFINE THE PROBLEM ◦ Debates happen because someone thinks a problem exists. What is the issue in your debate? ◦ Example: “Resolved: That it is important for students to develop an appreciation of art.” (This is a POV) ◦ The problem is someone sees a lack of art appreciation ◦ There are 5 questions found on Handout #2. The answer to these will help you define the problem.

7. Investigating the Debate Proposition DEFINE THE CONTROVERSY ◦ For example, if you were debating the value of foreign language programs in your high school, you would begin your investigation by asking the following questions: ◦ What is going on right now in education or in the world that makes this topic controversial ? ◦ Why are people interested in it? ◦ Why is this argument of value right now ? ◦ What are the arguments on both sides ?

8. Investigating the Debate Proposition DEFINE THE CONTROVERSY ◦ To find out what all the sides of the controversy are, you should look into the history of the controversy. ◦ This can allow you to discover more arguments (pro or con) that have been used before. ◦ No matter what side you are on, this information could be useful when building your case or when pointing out the weaknesses in the other side’s case.

9. STOCK ISSUES (questions) ◦ Are not really issues but are questions meant to reveal issues ◦ There are 3 stock issues:  Stock Issue #1 : Is there a need for a change in the status quo?  Stock Issue #2 : Will the affirmative plan solve the problems in the status quo?  Stock Issue #3 : Is the affirmative plan the most desirable solution to the problem?  By applying stock issue questions to your proposition, you can develop specific issues. To do this, substitute specific words from your proposition for the general stock issue terms of ‘status quo’ and ‘affirmative plan’.

10. Stock IssuesSpecific Issues 1. Is there a need for a 1. Is there a need for a change change in the status quo?in the present way of financing political campaigns? 2. Will the affirmative plan2. Will the affirmative method solve the problems in theof publicly financing political status quo?campaigns solve the problems in the present way of financing political campaigns? 3. Is the affirmative plan3. Is the affirmative method of the most desirable solutionpublicly financing political to the problem?campaigns the most desirable to the solution?

11. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE DEBATE PROPOSITION AND AFFIRMATIVE PLAN  The proposition is like the architect’s drawing of what a house should look like from the outside when finished.  The affirmative plan is like a blue print that carefully outlines how the house is to be put together to look that way.

12. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE DEBATE PROPOSITION AND AFFIRMATIVE PLAN ◦ The affirmative plan then must show how the change stated in the debate proposition will be brought about and carried out. ◦ Saying there should be a change is not good enough. The affirmative must demonstrate how this change should happen.

13. SUMMARY OF PART 2 In analyzing a debate proposition, you can begin by defining the terms using the following methods: 1. Quoting an authority4. Through Derivation 2. By using examples5. Compare/Contrast 3. Through Negation Analysis also requires defining the nature of the problem, reasons for current controversy, investigating the history of the problem, any previous solutions tried, and current viewpoint held about the problem. Further investigation uses 3 stock issue questions: (1) Is there a need for a change in the SQ? (2) Will the affirmative plan solve the problems in the SQ? (3) Is the affirmative plan the most desirable solution to the problem?