uestion is the necessity of your determining the
issues correctly, and thus building a constructive argument that is
overwhelming and impregnable. Many a debate has been lost because the
debaters worked up their own constructive argument first, and only
later, in order to prepare refutation, considered what their opponents
would say. Had they proceeded correctly, they would have destroyed the
proof of their adversaries while they built up their own.

A clever retort in refutation often wins the applause of the
galleries, but an analysis of the question so keen that the real
issues are determined, supported by an organization of evidence so
strong that it sweeps away all opposition as it grows, is more likely
to gain the favorable decision of the judges.

SUGGESTED EXERCISES

1. What is the purpose of refutation? 2. What two principal methods
may be followed?

3. What must one do to refute correctly and well?

4. Do you think it better in refutation to assail the minor points of
your opponent or to attack the main issues?

5. A fellow-student in chemistry said to you: "The chemical symbol for
water is H_{4}0; two of our classmates told me so." You replied: "The
correct symbol, according to our instructor, is H_{2}O." Did you
refute his assertion? How?

6. A classmate makes an argument which could be briefed thus:

Cigarettes are good for high-school boys, for:

I. They aid health of body, for:
(1) Many athletes smoke them, for:
a) X smokes them.
b) Y smokes them.
c) Z smokes them.

If you disagree with this assertion, do not believe they aid health,
and know X does not smoke cigarettes, how would you refute his
contention?

7. If your opponents in a debate quote opinions of others in support
of their views, in what two ways can they be refuted?

8. In a recent campaign, the administration candidate used this
argument: "I should be re-elected, for: Times are good, work is
plentiful, crops are excellent, and products demand a high price."
Show any weakness in this argument.

9. Show the weakness of proof in this argument: Harvard is better at
football than Princeton I. They defeated Princeton in 1912.

10. What general rule can you make from 9 concerning a statement
supported by particular cases?

LESSON IX

MANAGEMENT OF THE DEBATE

_Teams_.--The opposing teams in a debate usually consist of three
persons each. A larger or smaller number is permissible.

_Time of