What is a Rebuttal?

A rebuttal is an argument that looks to undermine or discredit the opposition’s point.

How to structurally break down an argument through a Rebuttal?

The two most common ways you can structure your rebuttal is listed below. You can either question the validity of their argument or the relevancy in this debate.

• Is it actually true?
  • This is where you look for possible gaps in the opposition argument
    • Are they contradicting themself?
    • Is the premise of their argument valid?
    • Does their argument apply in the real world?

• Is it relevant or impactful?
  • This is where you take the opposition argument at its best and still prove why your substantive is better
  • You must undermine the urgency or scope of their proposed argument
  • You can ask yourself the following questions:
    • How important is the situation they are trying to solve?
    • What is the scope of its impact?

Application:

In order to be effective at rebutting, you must be attentive and a good listener. I would recommend that you write down the key points that your opposition presents and sort them into 2-3 categories that you can target as a whole. Therefore when you give your rebuttals, you can dismiss each pillar that their argument stands on using the separate sub-points you’ve noted down. This will be more structured and will allow you to see the bigger picture in the debate.

Conclusion:

Rebutting is an important skill for all debaters regardless of their speaker role. In every debate, one should interact with the other team’s argument otherwise the essence of the debate is lost.

This is a useful skill because it teaches you to question what is in front of you in a structured and well-reasoned manner.

If you need any clarification or would appreciate a more in depth explanation, please feel free to email us at shrish.debatepro@gmail.com

This is the third of a three part series that will describe the structure of a speaker in a debate. The following paragraph is a guide to what you should include in your speech however we would encourage you to add your own flair and style to make it your own.

Guidelines:

1. Rebuttals
   • Direct Rebuttals
     • These are direct attacks against the points of your opposition
     • Please look at the ‘Rebuttals’ post to ensure that you effective
   • Points of Clash (the hinge of the debate)
     • This is a fundamental disagreement between both sides that has led to further disagreements in the debate
     • How to operate in a Point of Clash?
       • Question the responses they have given you to your argument
         • Why were they poor?
       • Prove their argument in this clash to be untrue or weak
         • This can be done through the weighting the arguments
           • Which side provides maximum benefit?
           • Which argument is more likely?
             • For example if their argument is completely hypothetical it should not be prioritized above a more likely argument that you have presented
           • Which side is the principally (ethical) right thing to do?
2. Summary
   • Give a brief summary to your team’s argument and answer any rebuttals that questioned your case

If you need any clarification or would appreciate a more in depth explanation, please feel free to email us at shrish.debatepro@gmail.com

This is the second of a three part series that will describe the structure of a speaker in a debate. The following paragraph is a guide to what you should include in your speech however we would encourage you to add your own flair and style to make it your own.

Guidelines:

1. Rebuttals against speakers on the other team
   • Pick main arguments, not small ones, to argue against
     • Do not bother to rebut small points such as slightly inaccurate facts, or misspoken words
   • Bolster what your first speaker has said
     • Don’t just repeat their argument but further explain to a point where it can no longer be argued
     • This can be done by providing a different view or a new statistic to back your argument
     • Make sure you clearly mention what arguments of your 1st speaker have not been interacted with by the other team
       • This will show the strength of your case and will make you seem more assertive and attentive
2. Outline two or three general themes that you will address in your speech
   • This is a basic introduction of what you will present in your argument
   • This will ensure that your speech is structured and easy to understand
   • Examples of themes include ethics, practicality and…
3. Your own substantive
   • Make sure you are thorough in your reasoning and explanation

Tip of the Day:

Make sure you have a purpose for your speech and look to achieve that by the end of your time. This will ensure that your argument is focussed and effective.

If you need any clarification or would appreciate a more in depth explanation, please feel free to email us at shrish.debatepro@gmail.com

This will be the first of a three part series that will describe the structure of a speaker in a debate. The following paragraph is a guide to what you should include in your speech however we would encourage you to add your own flair and style to make it your own.

Guidelines:

1. Define the motion
   • This should only be done if you are on Team Proposition or if the Proposition Team has failed to do so
   • You only need to define the key words of the motion
2. Burden of Proof
   • This is an outline of what your Team aims to do by the end of the debate
3. Signpost
   • This is an outline of what your 2nd and 3rd speaker will cover in their speech
   • This needs to be concise and succinct and will ensure that your Team’s argument will flow
4. Model
   • Create a set of rules or an idea that will help explain how your argument is to be implemented
   • A model cannot always be used, for example in an ethics debate
5. Rebuttals
   • A few rebuttals on what the speaker previous to you has presented
   • Please look at the ‘Rebuttals’ post to ensure that your rebuttals are effective
6. Substantive
   • Present 2-4 main points that are thorough and well reasoned
   • Please look at the ‘Chains of Reasoning’ post to ensure that your substantive is well presented

If you need any clarification or would appreciate a more in depth explanation, please feel free to email us at shrish.debatepro@gmail.com