Morion Analysis

INTERPRETING THE MOTION

ALFRED SNIDER, UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT

NO TRICKY INTERPRETATIONS, SHOULD CREATE GROUNDS FOR A GOOD DEBATE. THAT SHOULD BE THE STANDARD FOR INTERPRETATION.

NEVER TIME SET, PLACE SET. THE DEBATE IS ALWAYS IN THE NOW.

THREE KINDS OF MOTIONS – MOSTLY WILL BE POLICY OR QUASI POLICY

FACT – SOMETHING IS TRUE –LIKE A LEGAL ARGUMENT
- Causality, definition, conditions of the past, present, future
- This House believes that free trade harms the developing world.
- QUASI POLICY – IF IT IS BAD WE SHOULD NOT DO IT, OPP CAN ARGUE IF WE DO NOT HAVE FREE TRADE IT WILL BE BAD
- HARM GREATER THAN HELP?

FACT CASE:
Define
Present a standard for proof: preponderance of evidence, reasonable conclusion, concensus of experts, something.
Make strong factual points that support the factual conclusion.

VALUE – SOMETHING IS OF WORTH OR VALUE
- VALUES ARE OFTEN INHERENTLY ABSTRACT
- Types: in terms of x, y is better/worse than z; something is always right or wrong; in this case something is riht or wrong;
- VALUE TERM, AND THEN AN OBJECT
- OFTEN A COMPARISON: PRIVACY VS. RIGHT TO KNOW
- VALUE HIERARCHIES
- MUTUALLY ERODING VALUES

VALUE CASE:
Define the value term, this is incredibly important.
Think ahead about how this value interacts with other values. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
Have strong reasons why the value is successfully applied to the object of the motion.
The importance of values is found in their application. Freedom is important, but not unlimited.

POLICY – SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE
- This House believes that Holocaust denial should be a crime
- This House believes that the United States should withdraw from its military bases in Asia
- This House would make the development of clean industry a condition for receiving non-emergency aid
Action should be done: international, national, regional, local, organizational, individual.

Problem, solution, advantages.