Responding to Arguments: What is a Rebuttal?

What is a Rebuttal?

The rebuttal is a four-minute speech where the 2nd speaker refutes and responds to arguments in their opponent’s constructive speech.
- After the 1st speaker crossfire finishes.
- The Pro team will give their rebuttal first, followed by the Con team.
Structure of a Rebuttal Speech:
- ADDRESS the opponent’s framework and explain why your own framework is preferrable.
  - 20-30 seconds
- RESPOND to the opponent’s contentions and subpoints in order.
  - Majority of the speech (~3 minutes)
- REINFORCE your own arguments.
  - If speaking second (the Con team), begin to answer the responses in the Pro Team’s Rebuttal Speech.
  - 30-45 seconds
Common Types of Responses to Arguments (DR. MO):
- DENY: Point out any contradictions or discrepancies in your opponent’s arguments.
  - This response DOES NOT require evidence, so this is a good response to new or unique arguments.
- REVERSE: Your opponent’s idea can be completely turned around to support your own arguments.
  - This is the strongest response to an argument, so try to strive for turns.
- MINIMIZE: Reduce the strength of your opponent’s argument by lessening the impact.
- OUTWEIGH: Argue that even if their argument is complete true, your arguments hold more value.
  - This usually relies on your framework.

Signpost: Say which of your opponent’s arguments you are responding to.
- E.g., “In response to my opponent’s second contention about …”
Use Evidence: Have evidence prepared against common arguments in the form of blocks.
Use the FULL four minutes: By cutting the speech short, your team is losing valuable speaking time that could be spent advocating for your own arguments.
Be Confident: The rebuttal speech can be intimidating because it is the longest unscripted speech, but it is a great opportunity to begin deconstructing your opponent’s arguments.

A block is a set of responses to common opposing arguments that were prepared BEFORE the debate round.
Blocks are helpful because:
- They are backed by evidence.
- They reduce the amount of improvisation.
How to Prepare a List of Blocks:
- BRAINSTORM a list of common (also called stock) arguments.
- RESEARCH to try to find evidence answering each of those common arguments.
- ORGANIZE 1-2 responses to each argument and type out a response (3-5 sentences) that you can read in your rebuttal speech.
- CITE any sources you use for evidence and mention them when you read your response.
Be prepared to modify your block in-round so that they apply to your opponent’s specific argument.