Teaching IDEA Four-Team Debate: Teaching IDEA Four-Team Debate: RefutationRefutation

International Debate Education Association

Prepared for British Parliamentary Debate Workshop

Beijing, PRCNovember 2008

Robert Trapp, Willamette UniversityKevin Minch, Truman State University

Elizabeth Humphrey, IDEA

Principles of RefutationPrinciples of Refutation

Refutation DefinedRefutation Defined

Standards of Argument QualityStandards of Argument Quality

Parts of Arguments to be RefutedParts of Arguments to be Refuted

Methods of RefutationMethods of Refutation

Principles of Refutation: : Refutation DefinedRefutation Defined

Refutation involves criticizing arguments opposing your own according to certain standards of argument quality. Refutation is a process in which all debaters (except the Prime Minster) will engage.

Principles of Refutation: Principles of Refutation: Standards of Argument QualityStandards of Argument Quality

An argument contains, either explicitly or implicitly, at least 3 parts: a claim, evidence, and reasoning. – a claim is the statement of the argument itself– evidence is the information (facts, values, etc) on which the

claim is based. – reasoning is that which connects the evidence to the claim.

Reasoning

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Evidence -------------------------------------> Claim

First primary area of RefutationFirst primary area of Refutation

Claim/Proposition set-upClaim/Proposition set-up– Based on the Stock Issues:Based on the Stock Issues:

Definitions of termsDefinitions of terms

Value Standard/criteria/hierarchyValue Standard/criteria/hierarchy

Superior value- “proof of value is in the living”-what Superior value- “proof of value is in the living”-what indicates the value object (the thing being indicates the value object (the thing being evaluated) meets the criteria?evaluated) meets the criteria?

Example-Elgin MarblesExample-Elgin Marbles

Value PropositionValue Proposition::

The new Acropolis Museum is the best site for the Elgin The new Acropolis Museum is the best site for the Elgin Marbles collection.Marbles collection.

Value objectValue object: The new Acropolis Museum is a purpose-built : The new Acropolis Museum is a purpose-built facility for displaying & conserving the sculptures from facility for displaying & conserving the sculptures from the Parthenon & artifacts from the other monuments of the Parthenon & artifacts from the other monuments of Acropolis of antiquity; the museum is located in close Acropolis of antiquity; the museum is located in close proximity to the Parthenon.proximity to the Parthenon.

Value judgment termValue judgment term: best site: best site• Provide state-of-the-art facilities for the conservation of Provide state-of-the-art facilities for the conservation of

artifacts as displayed in an appropriate cultural context;artifacts as displayed in an appropriate cultural context;• Allow for international as well as local-national accessAllow for international as well as local-national access

OppositionOpposition

PropositionProposition: The British Museum is the best site for the Elgin : The British Museum is the best site for the Elgin Marbles collection.Marbles collection.

Value ObjectValue Object: The British Museum is an encyclopedic museum that : The British Museum is an encyclopedic museum that emphasizes an understanding & appreciation of the emphasizes an understanding & appreciation of the interconnections of the world’s diverse cultures across time & place interconnections of the world’s diverse cultures across time & place rather than focusing on a unitary culture determined by rather than focusing on a unitary culture determined by contemporary national borders.contemporary national borders.

Value judgment termValue judgment term: best site: best site• Offers a context for the marbles that enhances their value as shared Offers a context for the marbles that enhances their value as shared

history, rather than one nations;history, rather than one nations;• Enables the marbles to serve as the focal point of Athenian Enables the marbles to serve as the focal point of Athenian

excellence in Western European culture & civilization in an excellence in Western European culture & civilization in an aesthetically pleasing environmentaesthetically pleasing environment

Principles of Refutation: Principles of Refutation: Parts of Arguments to RefuteParts of Arguments to Refute

evidence. Is the evidence true or acceptable?

reasoning. Does the reasoning provide a proper connection between the evidence and the claim?– Does the reasoning demonstrate how the evidence is

relevant to the claim?– Does the reasoning demonstrate how the evidence is

sufficient to make the claim convincing?

Systematic Methods of RefutationSystematic Methods of Refutation

Every debater needs to internalize and practice a method of refutation. As debaters gain experience, they will develop and use methods that fit them best. The following methods of "four-step refutation" and “ICE” are ones that beginners might start with as they continually try to devise the method to fit their own unique style.

Systematic Methods of Refutation: Systematic Methods of Refutation: Four Step RefutationFour Step Refutation

1. Clearly state the argument you intend to refute.

2. State your refutation.

3. Relate your refutation to the argument you are refuting.

4. Show the judge or audience the importance of your refutation.

Examples of Refutation: Examples of Refutation: Four-Step RefutationFour-Step Refutation

1. Clearly state the argument you intend to refute.The proposition team claims that increased fines will provide an

economic incentive for companies to improve workplace safety.

2, State your refutation. The one-million Yuan fine is not a sufficient incentive to cause

companies to invest in expensive equipment needed to improve mine safety.

3. Relate your refutation to the argument you are refuting. Since the incentive is not sufficient, the plan proposed by the

proposition will not create an economic incentive.

4. Show the judge or audience the importance of your refutation. Without an economic incentive, coal mining companies will not invest

in new equipment and mine safety will not be increased. Therefore none of the benefits claimed by the proposition team will actually occur.

Systematic Methods of Refutation: Systematic Methods of Refutation: ICEICE

I. Identify the opposing argument

C. Criticize the opposing argument

E. Explain the importance of the criticism

Examples of Refutation: Examples of Refutation: ICEICE

Identify the opposing argumentIdentify the opposing argumentThe proposition team claims that increased fines will provide an The proposition team claims that increased fines will provide an economic incentive for companies to improve workplace safety. economic incentive for companies to improve workplace safety.

Criticize the opposing argumentCriticize the opposing argumentThe one-million Yuan fine is not a sufficient incentive to cause The one-million Yuan fine is not a sufficient incentive to cause

companies to invest in expensive equipment needed to improve companies to invest in expensive equipment needed to improve mine safety. mine safety.

Since the incentive is not sufficient, the plan proposed by Since the incentive is not sufficient, the plan proposed by the the proposition will not create an economic incentive.proposition will not create an economic incentive.

Explain the importance of the criticismExplain the importance of the criticismWithout an economic incentive, coal mining companies will Without an economic incentive, coal mining companies will

not not invest in new equipment and mine safety will not be invest in new equipment and mine safety will not be increased. increased. Therefore none of the benefits claimed by the Therefore none of the benefits claimed by the proposition team proposition team will actually occur. will actually occur.

Student Exercise for Practicing Refutation

Present a video of a brief argument or have a student orally present a brief argument.

Divide students into small groups and have them prepare refutation of the argument.

Have each group select a member to present the refutation to the larger group.