Difference between revisions of "Introduction to Circuit Debate"

Link turns challenge and present an alternative claim to a given argument. Returning to our earlier example, a link turn to the argument, "pencils are better than pens," would be, "pens are better than pencils." Link turns, like all arguments in debate, need to be backed up by a warrant. If you are asserting that pens are actually better than pencils, you also need to provide evidence as to why your turn is true. This could be done in the form of a card, or you could make your argument analytically (without evidence).

Importantly, you must note the distinction between a link turn and putting defense on your opponent's argument. If your opponent is arguing, "pencils are better than pens," and you respond by saying, "pencils are NOT better than pens," you are not turning your opponent's argument! Although you are answering your opponent's argument, you are not doing so in a way that proves the pens are better than pencils. So, if your goal of the debate is to prove that pens are better than pencils, would need to do more work than placing defense on your opponent's arguments because you have not yet provided a proactive reason why pens are better. Think about it this way: even if you provided the most convincing argument that pencils are not better than pens, you have only proved that pencils and pens must be equally good. You still need to make an additional argument, in the form of a turn, as to why pens are better.