FLOWING

When someone presents an argument, write down the following:

· The number or letter of the argument

· The tag

· The source (usually just the name and date--though listen for the qualifications)

· The reason, statistic or fact the evidence provides to support the tag

As you write down these parts of an argument, use abbreviations. Here is an example:

1. US. Econ. fail.

Elpha ‘03

will see 2% GNP drop.

Inflation come back

FLOWING YOUR RESPONSES

To write down your responses, draw an arrow to the right of your opponent’s argument and begin flowing your responses. You look at this flow to make your responses during your speeches.

PRESENTING YOUR RESPONSES

In your speech, you’ll use 4 step refutation:

1. STATE THE NUMBER AND TAG OF YOUR OPPONENT’S ARGUMENT

Example: Her first argument is the U.S. economy will fail.

2. TRANSITION INTO YOUR RESPONSES

Example: No, it will not.

Note: sometimes, people skip this step.

3. MAKE YOUR RESPONSES—BE SURE TO NUMBER, TAG, AND GIVE A REASON OR EVIDENCE FOR EACH RESPONSE

First, her evidence is out of date. That is late 2002 and things have changed.

Second, the economy is doing fine. According to . .

4. IMPACT YOUR RESPONSES AND MOVE TO YOUR OPPONENT’S NEXT ARGUMENT

So, the economy will not fail, it will succeed. Let’s go to her second argument . . .