1. Workshop for Debate Teachers
DNU—CDEN
Workshop for Debate Teachers
May 28-29, 2016
Refutation

2. First Opposition Team Responsibilities
Establish a general “stance,” tailored to the Prime Minister’s interpretation of the motion and that both Opposition teams will defend throughout the debate
Directly refute the specific arguments made in the Prime Minister’s speech
Offer constructive Opposition argument(s) against the motion as the Prime Minister interpreted it

3. Refutation is the act of refuting or criticizing an argument made by someone else, to show how that argument is somehow problematic. The argument can be shown to be weak, incomplete, poorly proven, or false.

4. Four-Step Refutation
Step 1: Identify the argument to be refuted. (“They say . . .”) Step 2: State your response to their argument. (“But I say . . .”) Step 3: Explain the details of your refutation. (“Because . . .”) Step 4: Explain the importance of your refutation. (“Therefore . . .” )

5. Four-Step Refutation
Step 1: Identify the argument to be refuted. (“They say . . .”) “My opponents said that education policies are already being reformed.” Step 2: State your response to their argument. (“But I say . . .”) “But these educational reforms referred to by my opponents are merely cosmetic.” Step 3: Explain the details of your refutation. (“Because . . .”) “The reforms mentioned by my opponent do not solve the essential problems of employment opportunities or social benefits, and thus are just cosmetic.” Step 4: Explain the importance of your refutation. (“Therefore . . .” ) “My opponent’s argument is not sufficient to suggest that changes to education policy are unnecessary.”

6. Time is limited, so choose the most important arguments to refute:
Arguments that are essential to your opponent’s case
Arguments that are in the way of your own most important arguments