1. Teaching IDEA Four-Team Debate: Refutation
International Debate Education Association
Teaching IDEA Four-Team Debate: Refutation
Prepared for
British Parliamentary Debate Workshop Beijing, PRC
November 2008
Robert Trapp, Willamette University
Kevin Minch, Truman State University
Elizabeth Humphrey, IDEA

2. Principles of Refutation
Refutation Defined
Standards of Argument Quality
Parts of Arguments to be Refuted
Methods of Refutation

3. Principles of Refutation: Refutation Defined
Refutation involves criticizing arguments opposing your own according to certain standards of argument quality. Refutation is a process in which all debaters (except the Prime Minster) will engage.

4. Principles of Refutation: Standards of Argument Quality
An argument contains, either explicitly or implicitly, at least 3 parts: a claim, evidence, and reasoning.
a claim is the statement of the argument itself
evidence is the information (facts, values, etc) on which the claim is based.
reasoning is that which connects the evidence to the claim.
Reasoning |
Evidence > Claim

5. First primary area of Refutation
Claim/Proposition set-up
Based on the Stock Issues:
Definitions of terms
Value Standard/criteria/hierarchy
Superior value- “proof of value is in the living”-what indicates the value object (the thing being evaluated) meets the criteria?

6. Example-Elgin Marbles
Value Proposition:
The new Acropolis Museum is the best site for the Elgin Marbles collection.
Value object: The new Acropolis Museum is a purpose-built facility for displaying & conserving the sculptures from the Parthenon & artifacts from the other monuments of Acropolis of antiquity; the museum is located in close proximity to the Parthenon.
Value judgment term: best site
Provide state-of-the-art facilities for the conservation of artifacts as displayed in an appropriate cultural context;
Allow for international as well as local-national access

7. Opposition
Proposition: The British Museum is the best site for the Elgin Marbles collection.
Value Object: The British Museum is an encyclopedic museum that emphasizes an understanding & appreciation of the interconnections of the world’s diverse cultures across time & place rather than focusing on a unitary culture determined by contemporary national borders.
Value judgment term: best site
Offers a context for the marbles that enhances their value as shared history, rather than one nations;
Enables the marbles to serve as the focal point of Athenian excellence in Western European culture & civilization in an aesthetically pleasing environment

8. Principles of Refutation: Parts of Arguments to Refute
evidence. Is the evidence true or acceptable?
reasoning. Does the reasoning provide a proper connection between the evidence and the claim?
Does the reasoning demonstrate how the evidence is relevant to the claim?
Does the reasoning demonstrate how the evidence is sufficient to make the claim convincing?

9. Systematic Methods of Refutation
Every debater needs to internalize and practice a method of refutation. As debaters gain experience, they will develop and use methods that fit them best. The following methods of "four-step refutation" and “ICE” are ones that beginners might start with as they continually try to devise the method to fit their own unique style.

10. Systematic Methods of Refutation: Four Step Refutation
1. Clearly state the argument you intend to refute.
2. State your refutation.
3. Relate your refutation to the argument you are refuting.
4. Show the judge or audience the importance of your refutation.

11. Examples of Refutation: Four-Step Refutation
1. Clearly state the argument you intend to refute.
The proposition team claims that increased fines will provide an economic incentive for companies to improve workplace safety.
2, State your refutation.
The one-million Yuan fine is not a sufficient incentive to cause companies to invest in expensive equipment needed to improve mine safety.
3. Relate your refutation to the argument you are refuting.
Since the incentive is not sufficient, the plan proposed by the proposition will not create an economic incentive.
4. Show the judge or audience the importance of your refutation.
Without an economic incentive, coal mining companies will not invest in new equipment and mine safety will not be increased. Therefore none of the benefits claimed by the proposition team will actually occur.

12. Systematic Methods of Refutation: ICE
I. Identify the opposing argument
C. Criticize the opposing argument
E. Explain the importance of the criticism

13. Examples of Refutation: ICE
Identify the opposing argument
The proposition team claims that increased fines will provide an economic incentive for companies to improve workplace safety.
Criticize the opposing argument
The one-million Yuan fine is not a sufficient incentive to cause companies to invest in expensive equipment needed to improve mine safety.
Since the incentive is not sufficient, the plan proposed by the proposition will not create an economic incentive.
Explain the importance of the criticism
Without an economic incentive, coal mining companies will not invest in new equipment and mine safety will not be increased. Therefore none of the benefits claimed by the proposition team will actually occur.

14. Student Exercise for Practicing Refutation
Present a video of a brief argument or have a student orally present a brief argument.
Divide students into small groups and have them prepare refutation of the argument.
Have each group select a member to present the refutation to the larger group.