China Debate Education Network Refutation

Definition of Refutation

• Refutation involves one debater directly responding to an argument of an opposing debater

• Refutation involves a debater objecting to an argument raised by someone on the other side

Purpose of Refutation

• To deny a competing argument• Weaken or even destroy an argument• To force the original debater to generate a

better argument

Deciding What to Refute

• Can’t refute everything• Don’t focus on arguments that are the easiest

to refute• Focus on important arguments• Focus on arguments essential to the opposing

speaker’s case• Focus on arguments that prevent you from

making your own case

Methods of Refutation: External Method

• Creating counter arguments

• Objecting to opposing arguments with arguments of your own.

Four-Step Refutation Process

• 1. “They say…” (identify the target argument you will be refuting)

• 2. “But I say…” (state the claim of your own refutation)

• 3. “Because…” (provide support for your refutation)

• 4. “Therefore…” (explain why the argument is important to the debate)

Four-Step Refutation Process

Opposing Argument: “They said. . .”

“But I say. . .

“Because. . .”

“Therefore. . .”