This paper provides an overview of the general types of evidence used by Ford and Carter in the first presidential campaign debate of 1976. This evidence is analyzed in relation to the key debate subtopics, and some standard tests of evidence are employed regarding accuracy and reliability. The types of evidence considered are statistics,…

Legislative intent as a debate tactic is drawn from the judicial system as a fundamental concept in the interpretation of statutes. Two paradigms for the application of legislative intent have emerged: (1) the courts will examine the affirmative proposal after enactment to bring it into line with the intent of the affirmative team, and (2) the…

In recent years, many debates have concentrated on which level of government is most appropriate to adopt a given policy. One suggestion is that fiat power in debate be limited to actions of the federal government. In debate, it must often be decided who should attempt to solve the problem. Too often, debaters forget the real-world limitations on…

Debate in English is growing in popularity in Japan as a way of learning the English language and the Western way of thinking. English Speaking Societies that sponsor debate activities are found at many Japanese colleges and are popular since many students believe that knowing English will provide them with better job opportunities. The format for…

This book is based on the taped proceedings and papers presented at the National Development Conference on Forensics. Part I discusses the foundations of the conference. Part 2 discusses the conference recommendations concerning a definitional statement, future goals and roles, theory and practice, research and scholarship, and professional…

This paper argues the utility and necessity of debate evidence handbooks as part of high school summer workshops. First, debate evidence handbooks are useful because of the restrictive time element factor in summer workshops. The large number of debate resolutions and their interpretations contained in debate evidence handbooks frees the director…

This paper argues that the concept of presumption and burden of proof as developed in twentieth century argumentation texts is distinct from the theory developed and perfected by Whately in his "Elements of Rhetoric." The first section of this paper reviews the concepts of presumption and burden of proof as described by Whately,…

This study attempted to determine if the "comparative advantages" debate case is a legitimate and logical approach to affirmative case construction in college and high school debate. The study population totaled 25 high school debate directors and 40 college and university debate directors. Four tape-recorded debates, in which an affirmative team…

Intercollegiate debaters often have difficulty coming up with relevant topics for debate. Even when they do find current topics, by the end of an eight-month preparation period both the coaches and the debaters are bored. One possible alternative to this extension of the debate season might be found in current issues debate. Additional emphasis on…

Intercollegiate debate competition depends on close and fair definition of terms for effective debates. Overly narrow or slanted definitions by affirmative debate cases so limit the ensuing argument that debate, as it is now conceived, cannot go on. Improper stipulation shifts fields of argument onto the affirmative case's grounds, rendering the…

An advanced speech course, structured around individual needs of students with some experience in interscholastic competition is outlined. Individual interests and skills development in interpretative speaking, original oratory, extemporaneous speaking, and legislative debate are pursued. Presented are: Performance Objectives; Course Content;…

The argumentative perspective enables rhetoric to function in a manner analagous to science or analytic philosophy, yielding reliable knowledge about nonempirical topics, which other methods cannot address. In short, argumentation is the equivalent of hypothesis-testing. Forensics should offer laboratory experience in developing this perspective…

Presents a rationale for incorporating cross examination as a basic goal of teaching argument and discusses a system for generating cross examination questions and methods for practicing the development of such questions. (MH)