China Debate Education Network
Constructing Arguments for the
Prime Minister
Prior to Preparing the Speech:
Analyze the Motion
• Most motions can be interpreted in a number of different
ways.
• All debaters (Opposition as well as Government) need to focus
some attention on what they expect will be the focus and
direction of the debate given the motion.
• Is this motion about a particular value or value system? Does
the motion advocate a change in policy or action?
Constructing the Case:
Three Steps
• 1. Define and interpret the motion
• 2. Specify the position the Government Team
will defend. Frequently, but not always, by
presenting a model of the motion
• 3. Create a case for the motion (or model)
Step One: Defining And
Interpreting the Motion
• The First Government Team has the right to
define and interpret the motion.
• Parallel to this right is the responsibility to
define and interpret the motion in a
reasonable fashion.
Step One: Defining And Interpreting
the Motion （continued)
• Defining the motion includes defining any
words or phrases that:
– Are ambiguous
– Might not be understood
• Interpreting the motion includes narrowing
and focusing the topic for debate
– focus on the issues debated in the public forum
– Narrow and focus for the purpose of creating a
good debate, not just to help yourself win the
debate.
Step Two: Presenting The Model
• A model is specific illustration of the position the
Government team will defend.
• Some motions may not require models:
– Those that evaluate specific objects according to certain
values. (Capital punishment is unjust).
– Those that evaluate rather specific policies. (The United
States should completely ban capital punishment).
• Models are needed when the interpretation of the
government team needs to be more specific than the
motion itself. (The people’s Republic of China should
revise it’s one-child policy).
Step Two: Presenting The Model
• If the motion is about a policy or action, and if that
policy or action needs further specification, then a
model is appropriate.
• In such a case, then model should probably contain
at least three things:
– Who is the actor?
– What is the proposed action?
– Are any other details of the proposal needed?
Step Three: Creating a Case
Constructing Arguments
for the Motion
• Case Defined: A case consists of one or more
arguments in support of the motion (or the model).
Two Examples
• Case for a policy motion
• Case for a value motion
These examples are taken from a previous lesson on “Combining Arguments
Coherently.)
In the following examples, the case consists of a single argument. In most
cases, a case will consist of a series of arguments.
Case for a Policy Motion
• Describe features of the current system and
contrast those features with those of your
policy proposal.
• Associate that feature to a consequence.
Create a cause and effect relationship
between that feature of your policy proposal
and a consequence.
• Evaluate the consequence of the policy.
Policy Motion Example:
Nations of the world should provide a minimum
level of education to all their citizens.
• Main argument: Increasing funding and
infrastructure for education will improve
people’s lives by helping to alleviate poverty
– (Describe) The Government proposal substantially changes
the funding and infrastructure of the present system
– (Associate) Funding and infrastructure are causally related
to access to secondary education
– (Evaluate) Increased access to secondary education will
help relieve poverty and improve people’s lives.
• Can have additional main arguments if desired
Case for a Value Motion
• Describe a feature of the thing to be
evaluated.
• Associate that feature with some
consequence.
• Evaluate that consequence
Value Motion: Example Traditional Chinese
medicine is a useful part of an overall health
care system.
• Main Argument: TCM has advantages over
surgery.
• Describe a feature: Traditional Chinese medicine is non
invasive.
• Associate with consequence
– Non-invasive techniques help patients
– Non-invasive techniques prevent harm to the patient
• Evaluate the consequences
– Positive evaluation of acupuncture
– Negative evaluation of surgery
– Additional main argument if needed
Role of the Deputy Prime Minister
• Refute the arguments introduced by the
Leader of Opposition
• Rebuild the case offered by the Prime Minister
– Refute any arguments raised against the case by
the Leader of Opposition
– Add additional evidence and examples as needed
• Add one or more new arguments to the case
as presented by the Prime Minister