This paper presents a theory of presumption in public debate based upon Paul Watzlawick's principles of communication. The first section of the paper details briefly the nature of presumption in contemporary argumentation theory. The second section hypothesizes a role for presumption in public debate derived principally from Watzlawick's works.…

Asserts that impromptu speaking should be viewed as an event which develops students' organizational ability, creative thinking, audience analysis, and delivery skills. Presents various techniques to aid students and coaches in pre-tournament preparation for impromptu speaking. (MM)

Argues that presumption represents a multidimensional concept, not a monolithic one. Claims that in reaching a decision on a nonpolicy debate, the decision rule "one who asserts must prove" ought to be given primacy over the predispositions of a given audience or of society at large. (JD)

Documents the educational benefits of academic debate. (PD)

Responds to the issues raised in the previous article on the nature of the debate resolution (CS 706 818). Deals particularly with comments on counter-warrants. (PD)

Discusses a routine to use for identifying and classifying the values present in a particular policy system in academic debate. (PD)

Reflects on Daniel Rohrer's legacy: a view of debate as a comparison of policy systems. Advocates greater emphasis on value-oriented debate as a complementary outgrowth of policy deliberation and suggests experimentation in wording resolutions and in the use of computers. (PD)

Contends that the presidential debates can be enhanced by the quality of the journalists' questions. Advances several criteria by which panelists' questions can be evaluated and applies the criteria in evaluating the performance of the panelists in the major presidential debates of 1980. (PD)

Academic debate has often been criticized as being "artificial" and "elitist" due to its highly structured format and the specialized skills it often requires. While countless argumentation scholars have advanced reasons why academic debate is pertinent to a comprehensive education, a different source of justification for…

This paper considers the future of the National Debate Tournament (NDT)/Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) merger from a historical perspective. The paper speculates on "natural rhythms" of organizations for perpetuation and attenuation. Specifically, it explores the historical growth and retrenchment of Delta Sigma Rho…

A case study of the rise and decline of a middle class debating society as a feature of adult- vocational education. (RA)

Suggests that the use of debates as a teaching method in a Business and Society course can provide students a way to see both sides of a controversial issue. Describes the procedures to be used and discusses benefits and limitations. (JOW)

Using a Burkeian perspective, the authors focus on the six debates during the 1980 Republican primary debate. (PD)

Proposes that a direct and authoritative challenge to the scientific racism of the late eighteenth and early twentieth centuries was urgently needed, and was one of the leading rhetorical contributions of W.E.B. DuBois. Specifically examines three issues: social Darwinism, the eugenics movement, and psychologists' measurement of intelligence.…

Responds to Rowland's article, (CS 705 841). Considers the difficult question of how the appropriate paradigm for a debate round should be determined. (PD)