Explaining Your Opinion

One of the key ways to have people believing in your opinion is to explain your opinion.  Without a strong explanation, our opinions are basically, just our opinion.

The key point is to provide reasons that other people will find reasonable and convincing.  Three ways to do this is by making comparisons, show a contrast or show a cause-and-effect relation.

A comparison compares between different things.  This comparison shows that something is better than or worse than something else.

ex.)  Eating dinner at 6PM is better than eating dinner at 7PM.
        There are more benefits running than speed walking.
        The new law has more advantages than the old law.

Showing a contrast is putting the opposites against each other.

ex.)  Women multi-task quickly; men don''t.
        Children can learn a new language easily; adults can't.
        The city helps senior citizens; the state will not.

A cause-and-effect pattern emphasizes a potential result when something is or is not done.

ex.)  If you elect me, I will lower taxes.
        Eating late at night causes weight gain.
        If we cut spending by 10%, we can extend social security by 10 years.

You may choose to state your opinion with an explaination.  You can also use multiple explainations to convince people to believe in your opinion. 

Opinion of Value, Policy and Fact

Opinions usually fall into three types:  Value, Policy and Fact.

Our opinion is the basis for the argument so by catergorizing them into one of the three types, you can start to build a foundation for your debate.

VALUE:  One thing is better than another (A is better than B)
ex.)  Spring is better than fall.

POLICY:  Rules, regulations or laws that should or should not be implemented. (A should/should not do B)
ex.)  The government should increase spending on health care.

FACT:  Something that is or is not true. (A is/is not true)
ex.)  Rainy weather causes more automobile accidents.

Depending on what category your opinion falls under, you can proceed with the next stage of explaining your opinion.

Using the Toulmin Model of Argument

Stephen Edelston Toulmin developed a layout for analyzing arguments.  The six components for analyzing arguments using his method are:  claim, ground (evidence, data), warrant, backing, rebuttal, and qualifier.

We can utilize his model as a structure to arrange our arguments.

Let's look at the components and examples.

CLAIM:  To make/establish a claim 

Carpooling to commute to work is very beneficial.

GROUND:  Laying the foundation for your arguement

Many people drive to work without any passengers.

WARRANT:  Connection between the claim and the ground of your arguement

Carpooling can reduce harmful emissions and save fuel expenses.

BACKING:  Putting credibility in your argument or convincing statements

Scientist believe that if we reduce the emissions from automobiles by 25%, we can start to reverse the damage to our environment. 

or

With the price of gasoline at record highs, you can save more than half at the pump each week.

REBUTTAL:  Recognizing some restrictions, limitations, exceptions...

If a person chooses not to join a carpool, they may opt to take public transporation or consider a more fuel-efficient vehicle or hybrid vehicle.

QUALIFIER:  Close your arguement with force and make a strong convincing ending

Carpooling will definitely reduce carbon emissions and in turn, reduce overall pollution.  Furthermore, you will be able to save over half of your fuel costs spending your hard-earned money on more important things.

IDEA: International Debate Education Association

IDEA is an organization that develops, organizes and promotes debate and debate-related activities all around the world. 

You can visit their website for resources and information on events.

How To Get Better At Debate

Are you naturally good at debate?
In a group, do you usually get your way?

We are constantly debating. Whether it is with co-workers, family, friends or even ourselves, we are constantly pitting choices against each other. Is it good or bad?, what are the pros and cons?, which is better?, and the list goes on and on...

So how exactly can we become better at debate? Some of us can join a debate club or organization to make us better debaters. With practice and the knowledge of useful skills associated with debate you can become better adept at debate. Click here to read an article from the THE 3NR.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate

The Lincoln-Douglas type of debate is the primary debate form used in the United States.  This type of debate was named after the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858.

The Lincoln-Douglas debate format is used widely in educational debates and is known as the NFA LD debate in colleges.

The basic format of the debate is to debate a single resolution where one side is the affirmitive side (upholding the resolution) and one side is the negative side (attacking the resolution).