China Debate Education Network

Constructing Arguments for the Prime Minister

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?

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)

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.

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.

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).

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?

Step Three: Creating a CaseConstructing Arguments

for the Motion

• Case Defined: A case consists of one or more arguments in support of the motion (or the model).

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.

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.

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

Case for a Value Motion

• Describe a feature of the thing to be evaluated.

• Associate that feature with some consequence.

• Evaluate that consequence

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

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