INTRODUCTION TO

ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE

2 Intended learning outcomes
1. Explain what is argumentation and what is debate.
2. Distinguish argumentation from that of debate.
3. Explain argumentation and debate as an academic endeavor.
3 Why do we argue and debate?
4 What is argumentation?
 What is argumentation?
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• is generally defined as
the “art of influencing
others, through the
medium of reasoned
discourse, to believe
or act as we wish
them to believe or
act.”
 What is argumentation?
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Derived from the Latin word “

arguere” which means “to chide”
It is the process of influencing
the belief of behavior of a
listener or reader, through
spoken or written speech, by
supplying him with reasons and
stirring his feelings.
 What is argumentation?
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Receiver
Arguer “doxa” Influence
Act and do
 What is argumentation?
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It is a process of giving people “doxa” a Greek

word which stands for “reasoned opinion.”
The reasoned opinion is not absolute in
character.
It is subject to corrigibility, falsifiability,
rectifiability, testability, and rational criticism.
 Tests for “doxa”
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corrigibility

rationality falsifiabilty
“you” ‘doxa’ “them”

testability rectifiability
10 What is debate?
 What is debate?
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➢ is generally defined as
a “formal direct oral
contest in
argumentation
between two or more
persons on a definite
proposition at a
definite time.”
 Debate vs Verbal wrangling
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Formal discourse No formalities

Artistic argumentation No trace of art is
Orderly exchange of involved
opinions Mere verbal tussle
 Argumentation vs Debate
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May not necessarily Each side dispute face-

face each other to-face
Include both oral and Strictly oral contest
written Requires a definite
May or may not require format/rules
set of rules
 Argumentation vs Debate
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“All debates are forms of

arguments, but not all forms of
arguments are debates.”
 TWO APPROACHES
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Conviction
Appeal to reason
The phase whereby the
arguer directs his words
to the reasoning faculty of
man.
To create belief and
intellectual agreement
Persuasion
Appeal to emotion
The phase whereby the
disputant directs his words
to the heart, the
sentiments and emotions.
To stir and influence the
audience
 Conviction alone…
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Is merely a state of mind

Not sufficient to promote human progress
Contentions may be true but lacks depth and
believability
May not stir the audience to believe in his course of
belief
 Persuasion alone…
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Is a pure behavioral impulse

May result to a “blind following” scheme
Instinct may not always be accurate
Emotional appeal is fleeting and unreliable
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Role of argumentation and debate to

your academic and professional life
 1. Argumentation and debate are fundamental skills you need.
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Men are in constant state of flux in searching for

fundamental questions affecting his existence.
It is innate in man’s nature to search for the truth.
 2. Argumentation and debate are universal
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“All men are, by nature, gregarious” and “To be is to be

related.”
Because of relations, one creates beliefs and attitudes.
These beliefs and attitudes that create action, urging them
to move, act and do.
Attitude and beliefs are created, influenced and swayed
through argumentation and debate, hence, argumentation
and debate is of extreme importance to men.
 3. Argumentation and debate are indispensable
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Argumentation and debate is both an art and science

which aspires for mutual understanding and beneficial
relationships.
Argumentation and debate enables man to rise above all
the other forms of animals because it develops his highest
faculty; the intellect and the emotion.
It makes a person well-rounded, armed with conviction and
persuasive power.
 REFERENCE:

Argumentation and Debate | Salirick S.

Andres | College of Arts

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