China Debate Education Network Constructing Arguments for the Prime Minister

1. China Debate Education Network Constructing Arguments for the Prime Minister

2. Prior to Preparing the Speech: Analyze the Motion • Most motions can be interpreted in a number of different ways. • All debaters (Opposition as well as Government) need to focus some attention on what they expect will be the focus and direction of the debate given the motion. • Is this motion about a particular value or value system? Does the motion advocate a change in policy or action?

3. Constructing the Case: Three Steps • 1. Define and interpret the motion • 2. Specify the position the Government Team will defend. Frequently, but not always, by presenting a model of the motion • 3. Create a case for the motion (or model)

4. Step One: Defining And Interpreting the Motion • The First Government Team has the right to define and interpret the motion. • Parallel to this right is the responsibility to define and interpret the motion in a reasonable fashion.

5. Step One: Defining And Interpreting the Motion （continued) • Defining the motion includes defining any words or phrases that: • Are ambiguous • Might not be understood • Interpreting the motion includes narrowing and focusing the topic for debate • focus on the issues debated in the public forum • Narrow and focus for the purpose of creating a good debate, not just to help yourself win the debate.

6. Step Two: Presenting The Model • A model is specific illustration of the position the Government team will defend. • Some motions may not require models: • Those that evaluate specific objects according to certain values. (Capital punishment is unjust). • Those that evaluate rather specific policies. (The United States should completely ban capital punishment). • Models are needed when the interpretation of the government team needs to be more specific than the motion itself. (The people’s Republic of China should revise it’s one-child policy).

7. Step Two: Presenting The Model • If the motion is about a policy or action, and if that policy or action needs further specification, then a model is appropriate. • In such a case, then model should probably contain at least three things: • Who is the actor? • What is the proposed action? • Are any other details of the proposal needed?

8. Step Three: Creating a Case Constructing Arguments for the Motion • Case Defined: A case consists of one or more arguments in support of the motion (or the model).

9. Two Examples • Case for a policy motion • Case for a value motion These examples are taken from a previous lesson on “Combining Arguments Coherently.) In the following examples, the case consists of a single argument. In most cases, a case will consist of a series of arguments.

10. Case for a Policy Motion • Describe features of the current system and contrast those features with those of your policy proposal. • Associate that feature to a consequence. Create a cause and effect relationship between that feature of your policy proposal and a consequence. • Evaluate the consequence of the policy.

11. Policy Motion Example: Nations of the world should provide a minimum level of education to all their citizens. • Main argument: Increasing funding and infrastructure for education will improve people’s lives by helping to alleviate poverty • (Describe) The Government proposal substantially changes the funding and infrastructure of the present system • (Associate) Funding and infrastructure are causally related to access to secondary education • (Evaluate) Increased access to secondary education will help relieve poverty and improve people’s lives. • Can have additional main arguments if desired

12. Case for a Value Motion • Describea feature of the thing to be evaluated. • Associate that feature with some consequence. • Evaluate that consequence

13. Value Motion: Example Traditional Chinese medicine is a useful part of an overall health care system. • Main Argument: TCM has advantages over surgery. • Describe a feature: Traditional Chinese medicine is non invasive. • Associate with consequence • Non-invasive techniques help patients • Non-invasive techniques prevent harm to the patient • Evaluate the consequences • Positive evaluation of acupuncture • Negative evaluation of surgery • Additional main argument if needed

14. Role of the Deputy Prime Minister • Refute the arguments introduced by the Leader of Opposition • Rebuild the case offered by the Prime Minister • Refute any arguments raised against the case by the Leader of Opposition • Add additional evidence and examples as needed • Add one or more new arguments to the case as presented by the Prime Minister

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