Some things change, others . . . .
The world is too big for us. Too much is going on, too many
crimes, too much violence and excitement. Try as you will, you
get behind in the race in spite of yourself. It's an incessant strain
to keep pace... and still, you lose ground. Science empties its
discoveries on you so fast that you stagger beneath them in
hopeless bewilderment. The political world is news seen so
rapidly you are out of breath trying to keep pace... Everything is
high pressure. Human nature cannot endure much more.
Editorial in the Atlanta Constitution, 1833.
Stock Issues and the Research
Process
“Stock issues, very simply, are
hunting grounds for arguments. They
provide general phrasing of potential
issues that correspond to the inherent
obligations of the advocate of
change” --- Ziegelmueller and Kay Argumentation:
Inquiry and Advocacy
Some Context
Remember that the clash is over issues
implied by the proposition/resolution
Some issues will be unique to the specific
topic being debated
Others will be manifestations of generic or
stock issues that arise in almost any
significant decision
Stasis—The Historical Roots of
Stock Issues
Points of clash are
known as points of
stasis
Facts
Definitions
Quality or significance
Objection or
interpretation
Basic Stock Issues: Questions of
Fact
Definition: What does the
proposition or claim mean?
Criteria: What standards should
be used to determine if the
proposition is true?
Application to the Case: What
information & evidence
confirms or denies the
relationship(s) asserted in the
proposition?
Basic Stock Issues: Questions of
Value
What are the relevant
values on this issue?
What value hierarchy
is most appropriate
among these values?
How can we tell when
the value has been
met?
Core Values
What are some core values
that we strive for generally?
Truth
Peace
Life
Justice
Courage
National Sovereignty
Health
Wealth
Liberty/Freedom
Success
Knowledge
Spiritual Maturity
Basic Stock Issues: Questions of
Policy
Ill or Need for Change
Blame
Cure
Cost
Ill or Need for Change
Inadequacies or problems in current system
Ill is the current wrong or harm that the
advocate for change is trying to resolve
Qualitatively demonstrate impact of ill: how
bad?
Quantitatively demonstrate extent of ill: how
big?
Goal for affirmative is to establish
significance of ill and that a change is
necessary
Blame
Blame is similar but not synonymous with
cause
Focus is on shortcomings of present system
• Cannot solve problem or achieve desired goal
 Structure of the current system
• Will not solve problem or achieve desired goal
 Deeply held attitudes, beliefs, values of people
• Should not solve problems or achieve desired goals
 Flaws in overriding philosophy of system
Cure
The Cure is the new policy that will remedy
the ill
There is no merit in changing the current
policy if the change will not solve the problems
identified with the current policy
Two parts to the cure
• Plan of Action
• Discussion of its effects on the Ill
Plan of Action
Plans must have at
least the following
An agent or
mechanism
A mandate or clear set
of actions to perform
Cost
What are the costs,
disadvantages or harms
of the proposed change?
Qualitative
Quantitative
Other Stock Issues
Practicality: is the plan
workable?
Cost-Benefits analysis
Comparative
Advantage
It’s True . . . .
“The advocate who is thorough, creative,
and thoughtful in the application of the
stock issues perspective will crate better
arguments than will the advocate who is
sloppy, indifferent, or uncreative.”
Thomas A. Hollihan and Kevin T. Baaske: Arguments and Arguing: The Products
and Process of Human Decision Making
Stock issues as Guiding Questions
What is the problem?
How big is the problem?
What’s causing the problem?
What should be done to correct the problem?
How well will that action solve the problem?
Will the action create other benefits or harms?
Let’s Talk . . .
What do stock issues have to do with the
research process?
Citing Sources
Cue us before citing any critical evidence.
“According to . . .”
Establish credibility of author a publication
“Dr. Martin Smith, a leading expert on child
development . . . .
Need only give year of information not page
number, etc.
Application
Review each of the stock issues discussed
with a partner. Be sure you understand
them.
Do you have any clarification questions?
Can you identify how the opposing team will
address each issue?
Can you give an example of each stock issue as
it applies to your topic? Which stock issue is
most critical?
Next Time
Quiz on CT 8, 9 and DG 4, 5
Workshop for upcoming debates
Contest to determine speaking order for
round one!
Come in with agreed near-final draft
of resolution you will debate.