DEBATE

1
DEBATE

• PROS CONS

2

• Pros-vs-cons reasoning seeks to weigh up the
  arguments for a case (pros) against the arguments
  against the case (cons).
• The argument will usually end up with a
  conclusion of whether the pros or cons are
  stronger, thus precipitating a 'reasonable'
  conclusion. Things that will make a 'pro'
  stronger (and vice versa) include
• More logical arguments.
• More evidence being displayed (including actions
  and perceptions of other people).
• Greater emphasis being put on key words.
• More arguments for the case.
• Starting with the favored side allows you to fill
  the other person's mind with the key points, such
  that the second list becomes less easy to absorb.
  Starting with the disfavored side allows you to
  make it sound reasonable, then knock down each of
  the disfavored arguments with stronger arguments
  for the contrary case.
• You can also choose between giving all of one
  side and all of another or alternating between
  each side (the latter is good for comparing
  related for-and-against arguments).

3

• Cellular phones should be allowed in schools.
  The United States should significantly
  increase space exploration. Television is a
  bad influence. The United States should invade
  Iraq. The United States should lower the voting
  age. Torture is justified for national
  security. Junk food should be banned in
  schools.

4

• The United States should eliminate its own
  weapons of mass destruction.
• Peer pressure is more beneficial than harmful.
• Schools should not use standardized testing.
• Human cloning should be permitted in the United
  States.
• The United States should ban the death penalty.
• Schools should not support competitive
  interscholastic sports.
• Schools should ban animal dissection.
• Homeland security is more important than
  protection of civil liberties.
• School attendance should be voluntary.

5

• State lotteries should be ended.
• School should be year-round.
• Violent video games should be banned.
• The U.S. should have a draft for military
  service.
• TEXAS should raise the minimum driving age to 18.
  
• Parents should not purchase war toys for their
  children.
• The Supreme Court should end affirmative action
  in higher education.
• There should be mandatory drug testing for
  participation in extracurricular activities.
• The U.S. invasion of Iraq has done more harm than
  good.

6

• TEXAS should substantially increase the minimum
  wage. The United States is losing the War on
  Terror. Parents should be punished for their
  childrens' mistakes. The United States should
  pay reparations for slavery. High schools
  should allow outside food vendors for lunch.
  The United States should ban the death penalty.
  College athletes should be paid. Bush's plan
  for space exploration will do more good than
  harm. High school students should have to pass
  a national exit exam to graduate. George W.
  Bush should be re-elected. Ban boxing! All
  middle schools should require student uniforms.
  The No Child Left Behind Act has done more good
  than harm. Television is a bad influence.  

7

• Consumers should not purchase SUVs. American
  involvement in Iraq has done more good than harm.
  The United States should adopt a new timber
  policy. Saudi Arabia is more an enemy than an
  ally to the United States. Violent video games
  should be banned. The United States should
  adopt English as the official national language.
  HIGH schools should increase required classes
  and reduce electives. The United States should
  open federal lands and offshore areas for oil
  drilling. Beauty pageants do more good than
  harm. TEXAS should issue drivers' licenses to
  undocumented immigrants. Cigarettes should be
  illegal.