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Developing Critical Thinkers for a Critical Time
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.
Strategies for an Effective Rebuttal
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.
What is a Block?
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.