CHAPTER 10
Refutation and Rejoinder
T his chapter explains one of the most crucial parts of a
good debate—refutation. Before refutation takes place,
the two teams are really just presenting what they want
you to know about their side of the issue. Refutation is
when you show that your argument is stronger than your
opponent’s or that your opponent’s argument is weaker than
yours. Refutation almost always involves countering the
evidence that the opposition presented, blurring the link be-
tween its evidence and its argument, and/or ripping apart the
argument’s reasoning. In earlier chapters, you learned how
to make your arguments stronger. This chapter shows you
how to challenge your opponent’s arguments successfully.
Repeat, Refute, Replace
Refutation is a process that involves three steps:
1. Repeat the argument you are going to refute. Provide the
number your opponent used when he presented the argu-
ment. For example, “Go to the first contention on the
harms of the status quo.” This signposting will help the
judge locate the argument.
2. Refute the argument. Explain what is wrong with the
other team’s argument. Look to the claims, grounds, or
warrants. You might say, “Their evidence is old; it is
from two years ago.” If you have many reasons why the
argument is flawed, let the judge know how many argu-
ments you have and number each one (“I have four argu-
ments against this point, first . . .”).
3. Replace the argument with your argument. For example,
“My evidence from two weeks ago proves the situation
has changed from the time of their evidence.”
Make sure that your refutation is organized and that it
includes all three steps. Good organization is the key to
winning the debate. A debate can be won or lost on one
argument. So, be certain that the judge can follow your
presentation.
Refutation Techniques
You can use the following techniques to carry out the
repeat-refute-replace process effectively.
1. Use signposting in the repeat phase
Signposting is when, at the beginning of the speech, you tell
everyone the organization and order of your refutation. This
is also called presenting a roadmap, because you are telling
the judge, your teammate, the other debaters, and the audi-
ence the order of your arguments. When you first address
Refutation and Rejoinder 99
the audience, announce which arguments you will speak
to first, second, and so on. If you don’t let everyone know
where you are on the flow sheet, they will miss one or more
of your arguments. By telling everyone what argument you
are discussing, the debate stays organized.
2. Clash in the refute phase
Clash means that the two teams are directly debating each
other’s arguments. You want to clash with your opponent’s
arguments. This is a technique used in the refute phase.
When the other team does not clash with your arguments,
you need to point that out to the judge. Remember, “Silence
is admission.” If you don’t counter the other team’s argu-
ments, you are agreeing with those arguments. If the other
team does not clash with one of your arguments, you should
win that argument. Unfortunately, beginning debaters often
fail to clash, primarily because they are disorganized. If you
can stay organized and clash with the other team by directly
refuting its arguments, you will likely win the debate.
3. Employ direct refutation in the refute phase
Direct refutation is when you point out the flaws in the
opponent’s argument. Sometimes you will go straight down
your flow sheet in the same organization as the earlier
speeches in the debate. When you say something about ev-
ery point, this is called line-by-line refutation. You may have
more than one argument against each line of argument by
the other team. During the debate you should tell everyone
where you are on the flow sheet and what your answer is so
they can write it down.
100 Speaking, Listening and Understanding
4. Group arguments in the replace phase
Grouping arguments is when you refute multiple arguments
of the other team with only one argument of your own. If
an entire contention is flawed because it is based on old evi-
dence, you may defeat it with one argument attacking the
relevance or reliability of the evidence.
5. Include impact in the replace phase
Impact is why the argument is important. You should al-
ways ask yourself, “What does this argument do for my po-
sition?” Use your answer to explain the impact to the judge.
If the other team does not explain the impact of its argu-
ment, you should point that out to the judge. The way you
explain the impacts of your arguments and your opponent’s
arguments will likely make a difference in the decision of the
judge.
Constructing Arguments
You can use two types of arguments during refutation: on-
case and off-case. When the negative attacks the issues that
were defended in the first affirmative speech, it is presenting
an on-case argument. When the negative offers a new argu-
ment that does not directly address those the affirmative has
presented but is a significant reason for rejecting the case or
plan, it is presenting an off-case argument.
Regardless of which type of argument you use, you
should consider the following:
Refutation and Rejoinder 101