Defining
the Concepts
the Concepts
What does R.E.P. mean?
Restate the claim, Explain the flaw and Propose a better solution.
Name the two styles of debate we learned about this week
impromptu and prepared
True or False: "Short rebuilding" means repeating your team's original arguments exactly as they were presented in the first speeches. (Explain your answer)
False - Short rebuilding is not a summary. It is a defense of your team's arguments after the opposition has attacked them. The goal is to remind the judge why your arguments still stand.
What are the four weighing mechanisms we learned this week to measure impacts?
1. magnitude
2. scope
3. severity
4. probability
Truth or False: a refutation is a strategic interruption, while a point of information is a structured rebuttal
False
True or False: The purpose of signposting is mainly to make the speech sound organized; it does not affect how the judge evaluates the arguments. (explain your answer).
False - Signposting helps the judge follow the structure of the case, understand the importance of each argument, and remember key points when making a decision.
True or False: The burden of proof should be written in a way that favors the opposition as much as possible.
False - it should be neutral, fair, and something a reasonable judge would accept.
Which type of weighing is being used?
"This policy would only affect 500 students, but for those students it would determine whether they graduate from high school."
A. Magnitude
B. Scope
C. Severity
D. Burden of Proof
C. Severity
Identify the five common flaws one can use to create a refutation.
1. no support, 2. non-unique, 3. does not follow, 4. mitigation, and 5. turn
True or False: The proposition should define every important word in the motion.
False - only words that are ambiguous, controversial, or essential to understanding the debate need defining. Defining obvious words wastes time.
True or False: A weak refutation can become a strong refutation if the speaker adds more evidence.
False - More evidence cannot fix faulty reasoning. If the explanation does not logically connect the evidence to the claim, adding more proof only strengthens a broken chain.
A speaker argues:
"This proposal would improve public transportation, reduce air pollution, lower household transportation costs, and improve access to jobs."
Which type of weighing is the speaker emphasizing?
A. Magnitude
B. Scope
C. Severity
D. Rebuttal
B. Scope
The argument focuses on how many different areas or systems are affected.
Two speakers use the exact same statistic. One wins the point, the other doesn't. Why?
A. One statistic was older.
B. One speaker had stronger reasoning connecting the evidence to the assertion.
C. One speaker spoke louder.
D. Statistics always need two sources.
Answer: B.
This teaches one of the most important debate lessons: evidence doesn't prove your case by itself, your reasoning does.
Two teams have equally strong arguments.
Who has the advantage?
A. Team B, because evidence is the most important part of debate.
B. Team A, because judges evaluate the strength of the entire case, not isolated facts.
C. Neither team, because structure does not affect the outcome.
D. Team B, because more evidence always creates a stronger argument.
Answer: B
debate is not a list of points; it is a story of why the judge should vote for your side.
A judge is deciding between two teams:
What should the judge do?
A. Vote for Team A because probability and magnitude always outweigh severity.
B. Vote for Team B because severe impacts always matter more than large impacts.
C. Determine which team better explains why their weighing mechanism should be prioritized in this debate.
D. Vote for whichever team had stronger evidence.
Answer: C
Weighing is not about having the biggest impact; it is about convincing the judge why your impact matters most.
True or False: An argument that affects only one person can outweigh an argument that affects one million people.
True.
If the impact on that one person is sufficiently severe and the speaker successfully explains why severity should take priority, it can outweigh a larger but less serious impact.
Read the argument below. Which part of ARESI is weakest and needs improvement?
Schools should start later. Teenagers need more sleep because adolescent brains require adequate rest to maintain focus, memory, and emotional regulation. According to research from the American Academy of Pediatrics, later school start times increase student sleep duration and improve academic outcomes. This issue matters because schools have a responsibility to create environments where students have the opportunity to succeed.
Starting later affects students deeply because it improves their learning.
Impacts because it does not explain:
A judge finishes a debate and says:
"Both teams had strong arguments. However, one team made me understand what decision I should make, while the other team made me work to figure it out."
What debate principle is the judge describing?
A. Evidence is more important than reasoning.
B. The team with more arguments usually wins.
C. Structure and framing determine how effectively arguments are evaluated.
D. The opposition automatically wins when the proposition is unclear.
Answer: C
Structure does not replace good arguments; it determines how effectively the judge can understand and weigh those arguments.
The proposition presents four arguments. The opposition successfully refutes three of them but does not address the fourth. The fourth argument has strong ARESI, significant long-term impacts, and the proposition clearly wins the weighing on that point.
Who should the judge vote for? Explain your answer
A. Opposition, because they won more clashes.
B. Proposition, because one strong remaining argument may outweigh three weaker arguments.
C. Opposition, because unanswered arguments automatically lose.
D. Tie, because both teams won some arguments.
Answer: B
Judge logic: Judges do not count arguments. They evaluate which arguments matter most and whether the proposition meets the burden of proof.
Why is weighing considered the most important part of the rebuttalist's speech?
While earlier speakers build the case and attack the other team's arguments, the rebuttalist's job is to step back and evaluate the debate as a whole. Weighing doesn't just repeat arguments; it tells the judge how to compare them.