Chapter 3Chapter 3

Analysis of the IssueAnalysis of the Issue

Definition of TermsDefinition of Terms

Define unfamiliar wordsDefine unfamiliar words Define words with multiple meaningsDefine words with multiple meanings Significantly, substantially, increase, Significantly, substantially, increase,

reduce, and comprehensive-need to reduce, and comprehensive-need to specifically state what is meant by specifically state what is meant by this in definition of terms!this in definition of terms!

Define key words or phrases: foreign Define key words or phrases: foreign policypolicy

Ways to DefineWays to Define

Common usage: the way the word is Common usage: the way the word is commonly used everyday, from the press, commonly used everyday, from the press, or government interpretationsor government interpretations

Dictionary definitions: standard Dictionary definitions: standard dictionaries or specialized dictionaries-dictionaries or specialized dictionaries-such as Black’s Law Dictionary.such as Black’s Law Dictionary.

Negation: Tell what the word does not Negation: Tell what the word does not mean: By federal support of schools, we mean: By federal support of schools, we do not mean private schools, only public do not mean private schools, only public school systemsschool systems

Ways to DefineWays to Define

Textbooks that are subject specificTextbooks that are subject specific Example: Strongsville High School’s Example: Strongsville High School’s

dress code should change to dress code should change to resemble Berea High School’s Dress resemble Berea High School’s Dress code. code.

Government publications: If you are Government publications: If you are debating something at the federal or debating something at the federal or state level, use their websites to state level, use their websites to define terminology! usa.gov!define terminology! usa.gov!

Ways to DefineWays to Define

Context clues-define word based on Context clues-define word based on reading the paragraph to grasp the reading the paragraph to grasp the meaning of the debate term/s. meaning of the debate term/s.

Internet sitesInternet sites When defining terms, don’t just look When defining terms, don’t just look

at one source-check several; look for at one source-check several; look for consistent definitions from several consistent definitions from several sourcessources

Who defines?Who defines?

Affirmative defines terms within the Affirmative defines terms within the proposition. To save time, negative proposition. To save time, negative must agree on definition of terms must agree on definition of terms before debate begins.before debate begins.

Define IssuesDefine Issues

More than one possible case for each More than one possible case for each debate topicdebate topic

What are the problems?What are the problems? What is the status quo? (the way What is the status quo? (the way

things are done currently)things are done currently) Need to research the issue fullyNeed to research the issue fully List what is known about debate topicList what is known about debate topic Ask question to dig deeper into issueAsk question to dig deeper into issue

Define the ProblemDefine the Problem

How long have we had the problem?How long have we had the problem? What seems to have caused it?What seems to have caused it? What solutions, if any, have been What solutions, if any, have been

tried before?tried before? Why didn’t the solutions work?Why didn’t the solutions work? In what ways are conditions different In what ways are conditions different

now?now?

Define the ControversyDefine the Controversy

Why are you debating this particular Why are you debating this particular topic at this particular time?topic at this particular time?

What is causing you or others to be What is causing you or others to be concerned about certain facts, or to concerned about certain facts, or to question certain values, or to favor a question certain values, or to favor a particular policy?particular policy?

What are the different views that What are the different views that people have of the position?people have of the position?