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Refutation: The Key to Winning a Debate. Ms. Kiernan. What does it mean?. Refute (v.): To prove to be false or erroneous, as an opinion or charge To prove (a person) to be in error. The four-step method. Refutation can follow a four-step method: “They say…” “But…” “Because…”
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Refutation:The Key to Winning a Debate Ms. Kiernan
What does it mean? • Refute (v.): • To prove to be false or erroneous, as an opinion or charge • To prove (a person) to be in error.
The four-step method • Refutation can follow a four-step method: • “They say…” • “But…” • “Because…” • “Therefore…”
“They say…” • Refer to the argument you are about to refute • Good note-taking helps you be specific • Being specific helps clarify for your audience • Rephrase your opponent’s argument in a few words to maximize your time
“But I disagree…” • State your counterargument • Can be the opposite of your opponent’s claim OR an attack on their reasoning and evidence • State your point clearly
“Because…” • Offer reasoning to enforce your counterargument • Appeals to logic
“Therefore…” • Conclude by comparing your refutation to your opponent’s argument • Why does your point defeat theirs? • Show you have better reasoning, evidence, and that even though you have taken their argument into consideration, your evidence is more significant
Try it out… • Try out the four-step method by writing a refutation for three of the following arguments: • Violent video games should be banned. • All children under 18 should have an 8PM curfew. • Parents should not buy war toys for their children. • Schools should ban animal dissection in class. • Schools should not require math classes. • Violence is never justified. • Students should wear school uniforms.