Debate Terms Flashcards
3 reasons why it’s worthwhile to learn debate skills…
- Persuade others to get what you want.
- Help settle other arguments.
- Defend yourself.
A style of debate
Lincoln-Douglas
Opening Statement:
An opening to your argument where you state your claims and 3 reasons why you are right; “the outline to the case”
Closing Statement
In a trial, each attorney’s summary of the case, which attempts to persuade the judge (and the jury if there is one) to favor his or her side.
Counterargument
The opposite argument or viewpoint from what the speaker/writer is saying.
Rebuttal
A response that refutes an argument; a comeback.
Refute
To prove to be false or incorrect.
Justify
Defend, explain, or make excuses for by reasoning.
Acknowledge
To recognize or admit
Delineate
Mark the outline of; sketch; describe in detail.
Evaluate
To examine, assess, and judge carefully.
Claim
A statement or assertion that is open to challenge and requires support.
Evidence
Relevant pieces of information that support a claim: facts, quotations, examples, statistics, or stories.
Logic
A method of reasoning/thinking.
Reasoning
A mental activity that consists of organizing information or beliefs into a series of steps to reach conclusions.
Relevant
Connected with or related to the subject.
Irrelevant
Having nothing to do with the subject.
Causation
A direct cause and effect relationship in which ONE variable controls the changes in another variable.
Correlation
A relationship between two variables.
NOTE: Just because two things are RELATED doesn’t mean that one causes the other! Do not mix causation and correlation up!!
Contention
An assertion or claim.
