POINTS OF INFORMATION
WSDA 2009
ALFRED C. SNIDER, UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
POINTS OF INFORMATION ARE IMPORTANT:
1. TO DEVELOP AND ADVANCE THE ARGUMENTS
2. TO ESTABLISH YOU AS THE BEST DEBATER
3. TO STAY ACTIVE IN THE DEBATE
MAKING A POINT – GENERAL GUIDELINES
1. STAYING ACTIVE
2. RISING NO MATTER WHAT
3. RISING TOGETHER
4. LANGUAGE ON RISING – CLEVER VS. DIRECT
5. PLANNING FOR POINTS
6. SHORT AND SWEET – SHOWS COMMAND
7. TIMING DURING SPEECH
8. LOOK AT THE JUDGE
9. POINT NEED NOT BE A QUESTION – BETTER A STATEMENT
10. RARELY A REQUEST FOR EXPLANATIONS – UNLESS THEY DON’T KNOW
11. ANTICIPATE HOW THEY WILL ANSWER YOUR POINT
12. FOLLOW UP ON POINTS DURING SPEECHES
TYPES OF POINTS TO MAKE
1. ARGUMENT PREVIEW
2. ARGUMENT ADVANCE
3. FACTUAL ERROR
4. CONTRADICTION
5. EXPOSING BAD ASSUMPTION
6. REVEAL FLAW IN EVIDENCE/EXAMPLE
7. SET UP FOR FUTURE ARGUMENT – GET THEM TO SAY SOMETHING YOU NEED TO MAKE AN ARGUMENT
8. REVEAL INADEQUATE SPECIFICATION
9. LEADING QUESTION WHEN TIME ALLOCATION IS BAD
RESPONDING TO A POINT – GENERAL GUIDELINES
1. DISMISSING POINTS – POLITE, BRUTAL, VERBAL, NON-VERBAL.
2. WHEN TO TAKE THEM – TIMING – FLOW OF SPEECH.
3. HOW MANY TO TAKE.
4. WHO TO TAKE THEM FROM – COURAGE OR COWARDICE.
5. SHORT ANSWERS.
6. OFFENSIVE ANSWERS.
7. NO FOLLOW UP.
8. NEVER ASK FOR A REPEAT.
9. LOOK AT THE JUDGE.
10. FOLLOWING UP ON POINTS DURING A SPEECH.
TYPES OF RESPONSES
1. SHORT ANSWER – NO, YES
2. IRRELEVANT
3. QUESTION UNCLEAR
4. ALREADY ANSWERED, SAY WHERE
5. COMMON KNOWLEDGE – LET ME INFORM YOU
6. ATTACK ASSUMPTION OF POINT
7. EASY TO ANSWER – PLAYING FOR TIME
8. I’M COMING TO THAT, BUT THEN DO THAT
9. TURN – EXACTLY OUR POINT
Manner Checklist:
q Confident vs. unconfident, or arrogant.
q Ill-informed vs. informed, or acts omniscient.
q Calm vs. excited, or indifferent
q Concerned vs. unconcerned with the issues, or with yourself
q Compassionate about other human beings vs. dispassionate
q Disrespectful vs. Respectful of opponents
q Respectful vs. dispectful of their arguments
q Evasive, dishonest, tactful vs. direct, frank, honest, or cruel
q Passive vs. enthusiastic, or hyper-active
q Truth seeking vs. advantage gaining, but respectful of different points of view.