Mastering Debate: Artistic Proofs, Arguments, and Propositions

1. Identifying, Listing, and Defining Artistic Proofs

• a. Ethos: Character (past observable behavior, testimony, and credentials)
• b. Pathos: Emotion (we try to hide emotions to make a decision, but it is the most compelling factor)
• c. Logos: Reasoning/logic/coherence (check against pathos and logos)

2. Differentiating Between Mood, Mind, and Action in an Argument

Understanding the distinctions between mood, mind, and action is crucial in crafting persuasive arguments.

3. Identifying the Parts of a Syllogism

• Major premise
• Minor premise
• Conclusion

4. Finding the Major Premise of an Argument Based on the Minor Premise

This involves deductive reasoning to uncover the underlying assumptions of an argument.

5. Defining Key Debate Terms

• Burden of proof: The person who asserts a claim must prove it. This entails fulfilling the burden of proof by moving decision-makers to the point that if no further argument were to occur, they would grant adherence to your proposition. In that way, you will have shifted the initiative to your opponents, who now have the Burden of Rejoinder. If they do not reply to your case, their position will erode.
• Burden of rejoinder: See Burden of Proof
• Affirmative: Says yes
• Negative: Says no/not yes
• Disadvantage: Disadvantages that come with the proposed plan by the affirmative
• Counterplan: Accomplishes the affirmative's goal without the disadvantages of the affirmative
• Framework: Establishes criteria for the problematic lens
• Signposting: A type of argument that asserts that the existence of Fact A indicates the existence of Fact B.
• Flowsheet: A systematic note-taking device for organizing (charting) and following the arguments (issues) in a debate.
• Agent of action:
  • Expressed: Person, group, organization, government
  • Implied: Passive construction
• Stock issues: Significant harm in the present system (qualitative + quantitative)
• Presumption: To accept a policy change:
  • 1) Break promises
  • 2) Increase coercion

6. Explaining the Different Realms of the Good and Their Relevance for Debate

• Appetitive: Gives a good experience – stimuli response
• Practical: Has a material benefit that improves a condition

7. Differentiating Between Fact, Value, and Policy Propositions

• Belief (fact): "X" happened
• Value: "X" is good
• Policy: "A" is better than "B," and "X" should do "Y"

8. Explaining the Burden of Proof for Each Type of Proposition

• a) Propositions need to be complete declarative sentences.
• b) Propositions need to divide ground equitably.
• c) Value propositions need to contain a matter under consideration and a problematic.

9. Distinguishing Among Historical, Scientific, and Philosophical Claims

• Historical: Relies upon testimony for its verification
• Scientific: Relies upon method and repeatability
• Philosophical: Relies upon universal coherence