Vocab

Question 0

Proposition

Answer 0

Topic of debate; statement about which reasonable people may accept arguments on either side

Question 1

Debate

Answer 1

Regulated discussion of a proposition by two matched sides, providing reasoned arguments for and against a proposition

Question 2

Affirmative

Answer 2

Side that argues that a change should be made in the present system

Question 3

Status Quo

Answer 3

Current state of affairs; the laws, regulations, and rules that people live by (present system)

Question 4

Negative

Answer 4

Side that defends the present system

Question 5

Proof

Answer 5

Evidence introduced to support a claim

Question 6

Logical reasoning

Answer 6

Process of explaining why a particular argument makes sense

Question 7

Evidence

Answer 7

Support for an argument, usually found in government documents, newspapers, magazines, journals, books, and interviews

Question 8

Affirmative case

Answer 8

Position developed by the affirmative throughout the debate

Question 9

Case side

Answer 9

In an affirmative case, the justification for change

Question 10

Disadvantage

Answer 10

Harm that will result from adopting either the resolution or the affirmative plain

Question 11

Harm

Answer 11

Problem caused by the presence or absence of government policy

Question 12

Inherency

Answer 12

Issue of whether a problem is caused by the present system, and whether the present system can solve the problem

Question 13

Judge

Answer 13

Person (or panel) that evaluates a debate and decides who wins and loses, based on the debaters’ analysis, reasoning, evidence, organization, refutation, and delivery

Question 14

Plan side

Answer 14

Arguments relating to the affirmative plan for change; part of affirmative case that relates to the plan

Question 15

Problem area

Answer 15

General question or concern that a resolution tries to address

Question 16

Refutation

Answer 16

Process of attacking and destroying opposing arguments