Refutation:The Key to Winning a

DebateMs. Kiernan

What does it mean?O Refute (v.):

O To prove to be false or erroneous, as an opinion or charge

O To prove (a person) to be in error.

The four-step methodO Refutation can follow a four-step

method:O “They say…”O “But…”O “Because…”O “Therefore…”

“They say…”O Refer to the argument you are about

to refuteO Good note-taking helps you be

specificO Being specific helps clarify for your

audienceO Rephrase your opponent’s argument

in a few words to maximize your time

“But I disagree…”O State your counterargumentO Can be the opposite of your

opponent’s claim OR an attack on their reasoning and evidence

O State your point clearly

“Because…”O Offer reasoning to enforce your

counterargumentO Appeals to logic

“Therefore…”O Conclude by comparing your

refutation to your opponent’s argument

O Why does your point defeat theirs? O 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…O Try out the four-step method by writing a

refutation for three of the following arguments:O Violent video games should be banned.O All children under 18 should have an 8PM

curfew.O Parents should not buy war toys for their

children.O Schools should ban animal dissection in

class.O Schools should not require math classes.O Violence is never justified. O Students should wear school uniforms.