REVIEWER:

CHAPTER I - since belief, which is the end of conviction as a method

of approach, is merely a state of mind, it is very clear
Argumentation
that conviction alone is not sufficient to promote human
- is defined as the “art of influencing others, through the
progress. By dint of sound reasoning or by a simple
medium of reasoned discourse, to believe or to act as
logical inference, the arguer may make his fellowmen
we wish them to believe or to act.”
see that his contentions are true; but it does not
- the process of influencing the belief or behavior of a
necessarily follow that the has made them adopt his
hearer or reader, through spoken or written speech, by
ideas or these as guides of conduct.
supplying him with reasons and stirring his feelings.
Note: There are propositions that do not call for
- the medium is either the written or spoken word.
persuasion. An example is a mathematical
- the opposing speakers may not be in each other’s
demonstration, but in all practical questions that affect
presence.
human conduct, the appeal must be both to the intellect
- argumentation is just a broader term, because all
and to the will.
debates are forms od argumentation but not all forms of
Is persuasion alone enough in promoting healthy
argumentation are debates.
and progressive associations?
Debate
- words have great power in affecting both the belief and
- is a formal direct oral contest in argumentation between
the conduct of one’s fellowmen. Sometimes words are
two or more persons on a definite proposition at a
used to point out the truth of an assertion or the wisdom
definite time.
of expediency of a course of action. At other times, there
- debate is a formal controversy not a mere wrangling,
are an effective means of arousing love, hatred, envy,
because in a mere verbal wrangling, no formalities are
vindictiveness, fear, and violence. Therefore, if the
observed, and therefore no art is displayed.
arguer employs an emotional appeal, he may excite the
- debate, in contrast, demands the formality of extended
moving impulses of his audience which he may not be
and orderly discourse in the interchange of opinion and
able to control. Purely emotional appeal is fleeting and
argument.
unreliable. So that when a person has acted impulsively
- sometimes, debate is defined as an oral controversy on
without regard to the dictates of the reason, he generally
a definite question between opposing speakers who
regrets what he has done, and regret is not conducive to
present their contentions in the presence of each other.
human happiness and progress.
- the medium is the spoken word.
Relation of Argumentation to Logic
- the disputants must be in each other’s presence
- logic helps us to understand the laws of thought;
Note: The two sides are the affirmative and negative.
argumentation helps us make other people agree with
Word/s
what we think.
- medium used to appeal to the intellect and to the
- argumentation has been defined as an art. And as an
feelings.
art, it teaches us what to do. In other words, it lays down
2 Methods of Approach in the Work of
rules to be followed in presenting evidences and
Argumentation
arguments. Logic, on the other hand, is a science. As
1. Convictions
science, logic investigates the process of thinking, and of
- is a process that creates belief or disbelief
inferring. Logic determines the soundness of reasoning
through an appeal to reason
and teacher is what correct thinking consist in.
- appeal to reason
Relation of Argumentation to Psychology
- phase of argumentation whereby the arguer
- psychology is defined as the science of mental life, or
directs his words to the reasoning faculty of
consciousness, or behavior. It deals with the
man.
phenomenon of human consciousness. It deals with the
- the appeal to the intellect is to create belief, or
emotions of man and his reactions to circumstances. It
intellectual agreement.
clarifies the laws of human conduct. In short, it furnishes
2. Persuasion
the arguer with a knowledge of human nature.
- a process that creates belief or disbelief
- a comprehension of human likes and dislikes, biases
through an appeal to the emotions.
and prejudices, whims and caprices, predilections, and
- the appeal to the emotions, to the feelings, and
idiosyncrasies, and the like is indispensable to the
to the will.
arguer. Without a thorough understanding of one’s
- the phase of argumentation whereby the
fellowmen, one cannot suit one’s words and actions to
disputant directs his words to the heart, to the
one’s readers or hearers. In other words, he lacks the
feelings, to the sentiments, and to the emotions.
power of adaption, of tact; and, therefore, he cannot
- the appeal to the emotions is to stir those
effectively influence his hearers or readers.
desires to influence, to act in the way one
4 Process in the Work of Argumentation
wishes them to act, to lead them to a new
1. Invention
behavior or to a new purpose, or to dissuade
- the determination of those ideas in the
them from a course of action already adopted.
truth of which one would like others to
Note: According to modern psychologists, in ultimate
believe, or that course of action which
psychological analysis, conviction and persuasion are
one would like others to adopt.
the same, that these terms represent properly only a
- this process is concerned with the
difference of emphasis in methods of approach to the
formulation of the proposition to be
whole personality, that the real appeal is to the person
discussed. It also covers the
as a whole, and that psychologically, there is no
consideration of the burden of proof and
difference between winning assent to a proposition
of the issues.
dealing with contentious policies and deep prejudices.
2. Selection
Is conviction alone enough to in bringing about
- the choosing from all sources of
healthy and progressive human relationships?
information of facts, data, statistics,
inferences, etc. that will help the arguer
REVIEWER:

to establish the ideas in the truth of natural law. And the moment a person communicates
which he would like others to believe, or with another in words, with which he is gifted, his
that course of action which he would like intention is to influence both the belief and the conduct
others to adopt. of the other.
- this process involves the study of how  “Debate is an art, which, through the ages, has
to conduct investigation and research, been considered the chief means of
the nature of evidence, the forms of advancement for those are engaged in the
arguments, and the fallacies. professions of law and politics; but to assume on
3. Arrangement this account that it may be studied with profit
- the organization of the materials that only by lawyers and politicians is greatly to
have been selected in such a way as to underestimate its value for the ordinary layman.”
secure maximum effort upon the belief  “Debate is an art that develops skill in the
and behavior of the reader or hearer. process of influencing other to accept or reject
- this process involves the application of belief; and since no man today is ever free from
the three rhetorical principles which are the necessity of defending his own beliefs or
unity, coherence, and emphasis, and the influencing others to reject or modify their
study of the mechanism of the brief and beliefs, debate, as an art, is not only valuable to
the outline. lawyers and politicians, but is just as valuable to
4. Presentation all men, whatever their occupations may chance
- the putting of materials that have been to be.”
selected and organized into such  “The study of debate is valuable; because it
effective language as to convey the rains men in quick and accurate thinking;
ideas to the reader or hearer with because it develops in them the qualities of
maximum force. assurance and self-reliance; because it enables
- this process involves the study of them to rise to positions of leadership among
persuasion as a method of approach, their fellowmen.
and the technique of the introduction, of  “With words, we govern men.’
the discussion, of the conclusion, and of  It is noble to excel man in that which man excels
delivery. all other animals.”

CHAPTER II CHAPTER III

General Statement
May a word or a term be the subject of
- it is the belief of many students that the study of
argumentation?
argumentation and debate is of use only to those who
- a word is a mere symbol of an idea or a conception. It
will take up the study of law as a profession. This
denotes some general concept existing in the mind.
conception is entirely erroneous. The study of
Term
argumentation and debate is necessary for all who
- is any word or group of words which serves to point out
would communicate their ideas to their fellowmen with
any imaginable subject of discourse.
some measure of clearness and logical cogency.
- a word or a term does not assert an act of judgment to
“As human culture becomes more universal, the
be affirmed or to be denied. For example, ‘woman’ is a
intercommunication of men becomes more
word and ‘Filipino woman’ is a term. Either ‘woman’ or
imperative.”
‘Filipino woman’ does not assert an act of judgment to
- as cultures become more globalized, effective
be affirmed or to be denied, therefore, a word or a term
communication becomes even more essential for
may not be the subject of argumentation.
understanding and cooperation.
Proposition
Argumentation is Fundamental
- the subject of argumentation.
- argumentation is of fundamental importance in human
- is defined as “an expression in words of an act of
relationships. It is an art whereby one creates belief. It is
judgment.” And an act of judgment us a mental assertion
the belief of a person that determines his attitude
of something as true or untrue.
towards men, institutions, and principles. As a matter of
- expressed in a complete statement, with a subject and
fact, it is belief that determines man’s actions. And since
a predicate, and allows an affirmation and denial.
belief is create through argumentation, the conclusion is
Examples:
inescapable that argumentation is of fundamental
1. The Filipino woman of yesterday was better
importance in human relations.
than the Filipino woman of today.
Argumentation is Universal
2. Capital punishment should be abolished.
- man by nature is gregarious. He lives in the society of
3. City mayors should be elected by popular
his fellows. Since man lives in society and is endowed
vote.
with the power of communicating his thoughts and ideas,
Classes of Propositions
the use of language to influence both the belief and the
a) Propositions of Fact
conduct of his fellowmen is found wherever people
- one that is concerned with the truth or falsity of
congregate.
an act of judgment. It aims at belief. It settles the
Argumentation is Indispensable
question: “Is this assertion true?”
- man cannot carry on the affairs of life without
Examples:
argumentation. As man and his society are now
1. Resolved, That elective city mayors
constituted, life would be meaningless if he does not
are more efficient than appointive ones.
communicate with his fellows. Mutual understanding is
2. Resolved, That the Chinese are a
the basis of life. One cannot imagine a normal society
menace to our national security.
composed of men and women is beyond the pale of
REVIEWER:

b) Propositions of Policy c. Petition

- one that is concerned with the wisdom or d. Motion
unwisdom, that expediency or inexpediency, of a - courts of law are established to administer justice.
They demand of every man who would argue before
course of action. It aims at action. Whoever
them must make a clear and unmistakable allegations
asserts it has the duty to establish the workable
of what he intends to prove true or false. Waste of
character of his plan. It answers the question: time and energy is avoided, and delayed is
“Should it be done?” or “Should this course of condemned.
action be followed?” - “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Examples:
1. Resolved, That the Filipino women Characteristics of Propositions Good for Debate
should be disenfranchised. - propositions should fit the speakers, the audience, and the
2. Resolved, That the term of office of occasion.
- the audience should be taken into account such as their
the President be six years, without
education, their training and experience, their likes and
reelection.
dislikes, their interests, and their idiosyncrasies.
Why is proposition important? - a proposition must be timely, its discussion is profitable, or it
- a debater that starts arguing without knowing what it is is best adopted to the interests of the debaters or those of the
that he should establish, is similar to a traveler who audience.
starts on his journey without a fixed destination. He may a) The proposition must be in the form of an
talk on and on without arriving at a definite conclusion. assertion
He may present a series of ideas without getting nearer - proposition should be stated in a categorical,
the truth. He thus wastes time and effort, and confuses declarative, positive statement, and not a question.
his audience. If he cannot understand his own position, - negative statements should be avoided; for if the
affirmative is in effect a negative and the negative is in
he cannot understand the position taken by his
effect an affirmative, confusion if likely to arise.
opponent, and thus he will not be able to refute him. Example:
- and on the part of the reader or hearer, in order that he “Resolved, That capital punishment be
may determine whether the debater satisfies the abolished.” Not, “Should capital punishment be
requirements of the burden of proof, he must, in like abolished?”
manner, know what the dispute is all about. If he did not, b) The proposition must express only one act of
he would not appreciate the bearing of the pieces of judgment.
evidence and the relevancy of the arguments adduced. - if there are two assertions or two courses of action
In other words, he cannot follow the progress of the or problems expressed in one proposition, confusion
will arise. The proposition, “Resolved, That the
debate.
Philippine establish a unicameral legislature and that
The Proposition May Not be Formally Expressed
the Speaker of the House of Representatives be
- while in contest debates, the proposition must always elected by direct popular vote,” expressed two acts of
be expressed in the introduction, but in public judgment. The proofs necessary to establish the fact
discussions, it is not always advisable to do so, that a unicameral legislature will be more efficient and
especially when one is to address a hostile audience. will be more economical are not the proofs necessary
- but in a formal contest debate, it is imperative that the to show that the Speaker should be elected by direct
proposition be always expressed in the form of popular vote.
resolution. What is the purpose of this provision of the Constitution
of the Philippines?: “No bill which may be enacted into law
Example:
shall embrace more than one subject matter which shall be
1. Resolved, That a partyless democracy be
expressed in the title of the bill.”
established in the Philippines. 1) to prevent hodge-podge or log-rolling legislation.
Forms of the Propositions 2) to prevent surprise or fraud upon the legislature.
a. In a club 3) to apprise the people of the subjects of legislation.
- such as a literary society, a fraternity, a class - to simply say, the purpose is to avoid confusion.
organization, the proposition is presented in the c) The proposition must be susceptible of only one
form of a motion from the floor. The presiding interpretation
officer sees to it that the proposition if properly - this requirement simply means that the words used
should be clear.
phrased and presented to the body, duly
- general terms susceptible of more than one
seconded, before the debate starts. Sometimes,
interpretation should be avoided.
however, the proposition assumes the form of a - if the word used in the proposition may not be
resolution. interpreted to mean one thing by one party and
b. In a parliamentary body another thing by the opposing party, there cannot be
- such as the House of Representatives, the any debate. Confusion will arise.
proposition is presented in any one of the following d) The proposition must be unprejudiced
forms; a bill, a resolution, or a motion. - which means there should be no phraseology that
c. In a municipal council assumes the truth of the point to be proved. There
- such as the Municipal Board of the City of Manila, should be not used words of praise or of blame.
the proposition is presented in any one of the e) The propositions should avoid abstractions and
following forms: an ordinance, a resolution, or a generalizations
motion. - care should be taken that propositions should be as
d. In a court of law concrete and as specific as possible.
- proposition is presented in the form of a pleading. - the proposition should not be free as possible from
- pleading shall set forth with certainty and with truth vague and sweeping generalizations.
the matters of fact or of law, the truth of which must f) The proposition must be concise and simple
be decided to decide the controversy. - all unnecessary words should be omitted and the
Forms of Pleading: words used should be easy to comprehend
a. Complaint g) The proposition must be debatable
b. Information
REVIEWER:

- this requirement means that the act of judgment

expressed in the proposition should allow sufficient
room for an intelligent difference of opinion.
- the assertion expressed in a proposition of policy
should not be so obviously true or wise and expedient
as to make it useless for any person to take the
opposite stand.
- in other words, the act of judgment should not be
obviously true or false.
h) The proposition must be so worded that the
burden of proof shall fall on the affirmative side.
- this requirement simply means that whoever will
take up the affirmative side of the question must be
the party who is dissatisfied with the present order of
things and, therefore, demands a change in the
existing situation.
a. The proposition must be interesting
- whether a proposition is interesting or not
depends upon the education, the aptitude,
the experience, the likes and dislikes of both
the speaker and the audience, and the
peculiar conditions of the time.
- the proposition, to be interesting, must be
within the comprehension of both the
audience and the speaker.
Example: “Resolved, that coronary
thrombosis is curable,” is certainly interesting
to medical students, but is certainly not
interesting to students of a liberal college.
The reason is that the question is so
technical and so far removed from their
knowledge and experience that it does not
touch their likes and dislikes.