FORMAL DEBATE
UNIT
DEFINING TERMS AND ISSUES
PART 2
DEFINING TERMS
Make sure you define all necessary
terms in your proposition. This way, both
sides are in agreement upon the
definitions.
Within the actual debate, the affirmative
will present the terms which were defined
and agreed upon by both sides.
Prompt and precise terminology is
essential to good analysis in debate.
The way you and your fellow debaters
define the proposition determines the
kind of information you will prepare.
Five Ways To Define Terms of a
Proposition
1. Authority: a reference source,
dictionary, or leading text in
which there is a clear definition
◦
For Example: Black’s Law Dictionary
could be used in defining what is meant
by “the jury’s system” in a proposition
calling for a change in that system.
2. Example: Provide a specific
example
3. Negation: stressing what a term
does NOT mean.
Five Ways To Define Terms of a
Proposition
4. Origin of a term: break the term into parts and
explain their individual meanings and from where
the part originated.
 For Example—Resolved: That the federal government
should establish programs to control air pollution in the
United States.
You could explain that the word establish is derived from the Latin
stabilis—meaning firm and stable. To establish a program then
means to create something with the idea of it being permanent
and stable.
5. Compare/contrast a difficult or technical term
with one that is more familiar:
 Use one or a combination of the methods for each term.
 For Example: If you are debating whether the next drama
production is to be produced on a “raked” stage, you
could define a raked stage by comparing it with a
conventional stage.
Practice Time: Which words would need
to be defined in the following
propositions?
1. Resolved: That the federal government should
ban the sale of all detergent containing
phosphates.
2. Resolved: That environmental control
standards should be reduced.
3. Resolved: That two credits in practical arts be
required for high school graduation.
4. Resolved: That Congress should prohibit
unilateral United States military intervention in
foreign countries.
Investigating the Debate
Proposition
DEFINE THE PROBLEM
◦ Debates happen because someone thinks a problem exists.
What is the issue in your debate?
◦ Example: “Resolved: That it is important for students to
develop an appreciation of art.” (This is a POV)
◦ The problem is someone sees a lack of art
appreciation
◦ There are 5 questions found on Handout #2. The answer to
these will help you define the problem.
Investigating the Debate
Proposition
DEFINE THE CONTROVERSY
◦ For example, if you were debating the
value of foreign language programs in
your high school, you would begin your
investigation by asking the following
questions:
◦ What is going on right now in education or in
the world that makes this topic
controversial?
◦ Why are people interested in it?
◦ Why is this argument of value right now?
◦ What are the arguments on both sides?
Investigating the Debate
Proposition
DEFINE THE CONTROVERSY
◦ To find out what all the sides of the controversy are, you should
look into the history of the controversy.
◦ This can allow you to discover more arguments (pro or con) that have
been used before.
◦ No matter what side you are on, this information could be useful when
building your case or when
pointing out the weaknesses
in the other side’s case.
STOCK ISSUES (questions)
◦Are not really issues but are
questions meant to reveal issues
◦There are 3 stock issues:
Stock Issue #1: Is there a need for a
change in the status quo?
 Stock Issue #2: Will the affirmative plan
solve the problems in the status quo?
 Stock Issue #3: Is the affirmative plan the
most desirable solution to the problem?


By applying stock issue questions to your proposition, you can
develop specific issues. To do this, substitute specific words from
your proposition for the general stock issue terms of ‘status quo’
and ‘affirmative plan’.
Stock Issues
Specific Issues
1. Is there a need for a
1. Is there a need for a change
change in the status quo?
in the present way of financing
political campaigns?
2. Will the affirmative plan
2. Will the affirmative method
solve the problems in the
of publicly financing political
status quo?
campaigns solve the problems
in the present way of financing
political campaigns?
3. Is the affirmative plan
3. Is the affirmative method of
the most desirable solution
publicly financing political
to the problem?
campaigns the most desirable to
the solution?
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE
DEBATE PROPOSITION AND
AFFIRMATIVE PLAN
 The proposition is like the architect’s drawing of what a house should
look like from the outside when finished.
 The affirmative plan is like a blue print that carefully outlines how the
house is to be put together to look that way.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE
DEBATE PROPOSITION AND
AFFIRMATIVE PLAN
◦ The affirmative plan then must show how
the change stated in the debate
proposition will be brought about and
carried out.
◦ Saying there should be a change is not
good enough. The affirmative must
demonstrate how this change should
happen.
SUMMARY OF PART 2
In analyzing a debate proposition, you can begin by
defining the terms using the following methods:
1. Quoting an authority
4. Through Derivation
2. By using examples
5. Compare/Contrast
3. Through Negation
Analysis also requires defining the nature of the problem,
reasons for current controversy, investigating the history of
the problem, any previous solutions tried, and current
viewpoint held about the problem.
Further investigation uses 3 stock issue questions:
(1) Is there a need for a change in the SQ? (2) Will the
affirmative plan solve the problems in the SQ? (3) Is the
affirmative plan the most desirable solution to the
problem?