DebateImportant Terms andBasic Definitions:

CLAIMS

The Debate Triangle

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REASONING

Evidence

An Argument

• An Argument is a set of statements in which claims (premises) are given to support a main claim (conclusion). Support is offered for each premise so that the conclusion is arrived at soundly. This is done in an attempt to influence someone.

CLAIM• A Claim is an expressed

statement that the arguer wants accepted.

• For example:

• Syria will continue to use chemical weapons if not forced to stop.

SUPPORT

• Support consists of facts or conditions that are objectively observable, beliefs or premises generally accepted as true by the audience, or conclusions previously established.

For example:

The Iranians are using advanced centrifuges to make enriched plutonium.

SUPPORT

• Support is evidence when it is accepted by all parties; otherwise it is disputed and becomes another claim.

REASONING

• Reasoning constructs a bridge from the evidence to the claim and authorizes the step we take when we draw a conclusion.

Types of Claims

• There are three types of claims:

• Claims of Fact• Claims of Value• Claims of Policy

Factual Claims• First, before we look at a definition,

it is important to note that there is a difference between a “fact” and a “claim of fact.” • Remember, a claim is an opinion …

and therefore debatable

while, a Fact is …

• 1. something that actually exists; reality; truth (ex: There is a U.S. flag in the classroom.)

• 2. something known to exist or to have happened (ex: Space travel is now a fact.)

• 3. a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true (ex: Scientists gather facts about plant growth. )

And thus, not open for debate.

Factual Claims• Claims of Fact make inferences* about

past, present or future conditions or relationships.

• *Inferencea. The act or process of deriving logical conclusions from premises

known or assumed to be true.b. The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence.

There are 3 types of Factual Claims:

• Claim of Historical Fact

• Claim of Predictive Fact

• Relational Claim of Fact

Claim of Historical Fact

• Makes some sort of claim about the past

• For example:

Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in assassinating President Kennedy.

Claim of Predictive Fact

• Makes a claim about trends or relationships in the future.

• For example:

Our economy is headed for a recovery.

Relational Claim

• Attempts to establish some kind of relationship in the present.

• For example:

Capital punishment deters crime.or

Violence on TV causes children to act violently.

Value Claims

• Value claims assess the worth or merit of an idea, object or practice according to standards or criteria supplied by the arguer.

• For example:

Capital punishment is beneficial to society.Degas’ paintings are beautiful.The new Clash of the Titans is an unsuccessful remake of the old.

Policy Claims

• Policy Claims call for a specific course of action and focus on whether a change in policy or behavior should take place.

• For example:

King County should legalize prostitution.The US should invade North Korea.

• Will always have the word “should.”