Debate Lingo
The team that supports the resolution is known by this name.
Proposition
This first part of an argument states the main claim a debater wants the judge to believe
assertion
The government should ban single-use plastics because plastic waste harms ocean ecosystems.
Reasoning
A debater explains that a policy will affect millions of people worldwide. They are evaluating this impact characteristic.
Scope
A Proposition speaker begins: “Hello, my name is Alex, and I am the first speaker on the Proposition side. I will discuss why vampires are better than werewolves.” They immediately start their first argument. The judge says the opening is missing the attention-grabbing element that introduces the audience to the topic.
hook
This is the statement being debated, also called the resolution.
Motion
This part of ARESI explains the logic behind why an assertion is true and connects the claim to the evidence.
Reasoning
"According to a 2025 environmental study, microplastics have been found in marine organisms across multiple ecosystems."
Evidence
A debater claims that a policy prevents a small inconvenience for a few people but does not explain any larger consequences. A judge would likely say this impact lacks this quality.
magnitude
This part of the introduction tells the audience who the speaker is, which side they represent, and the order of arguments they will present.
signposting
Unlike public speaking, this activity requires participants not only to present a case but also to directly engage with and refute opposing arguments.
Debate
This debate structure helps turn a claim into a complete argument by moving from what is true, to why it is true, to why the judge should care.
ARESI
"Increasing access to public transportation matters because it allows low-income communities to reach jobs and essential services."
significance
A debater argues that an issue causes permanent harm, including loss of life and long-term damage. They are describing this impact characteristic.
severity
A debater spends the first 90 seconds telling a funny story about vampires but never connects the story to the motion or explains their position. The judge enjoyed the story but says it did not serve its purpose.
Ineffective hook
The first prop speaker is responsible for providing this, which explains what the motion means in the debate.
definitions
Statistics, expert opinions, studies, and personal experiences are all types of this part of an argument.
Evidence
"The policy will reduce poverty by increasing employment opportunities, leading to higher household incomes and improved quality of life."
Impacts
Two teams agree that a policy will reduce carbon emissions. One team stops after proving emissions decrease; the other explains that reduced emissions prevent climate disasters, protect vulnerable communities, and preserve future generations' quality of life. The second team wins by developing this part of their argument.
impacts
A first speaker begins their speech by introducing their arguments but never tells the judge what their team is trying to prove or the order of their points. Although they have content, they have failed to provide this essential roadmap.
signposting
A team cannot win simply by pointing out flaws in the opposition's arguments if it never fulfills this foundational responsibility to justify its own position.
Burden of proof
"Climate change increases flooding, which destroys homes and threatens human lives." The phrase "destroys homes and threatens human lives" represents this part of ARESI.
Impacts
"A debater argues, 'The United States should adopt universal healthcare.' This statement alone does not explain why the policy is good or provide proof—it only establishes this."
Assertion
An argument proves that a policy will cause a small financial loss to millions of people, while another argument proves that the policy could cause the death of a smaller number of people. The judge cannot decide based on numbers alone and must evaluate the comparative weight of these impacts using this framework.
magnitude, scope, and severity
A first speaker gives a creative opening, introduces themselves, explains their burden of proof, and states their team's arguments. However, after saying “our team has four points,” they only discuss three of them before moving into analysis. The judge says the speech structure violates this expectation.
stating all of the team’s points after signposting