Rebuttal techniques

Introduction

Rebuttal, or refutation, is the attempt to argue against specific arguments the opposing side have put forward during a speech. When listening to an opponent’s speech, debaters should think about how they can best rebut the opposing speaker’s arguments.

Learning objectives

To help improve general communication skills
To help improve confidence
To encourage objection handling
To encourage quick thinking skills
To encourage listening skills
To encourage and improve rebuttal skills

Why is rebuttal important?

Rebuttal is key to good debating as it is one of the ways in which teams interact with each other. Rebuttal is one of the hardest things for young debaters to master as it is difficult to prepare rebuttal in advance.

As with Points of Information, rebuttal is crucial to the exchange of ideas in a debate.

Each speaker after the first proposition speaker should give part of their speech to rebutting the opposing side’s arguments. Debaters must listen and respond to what the other teams are saying.

Whenever an opponent makes an argument, a debater should try to think of arguments that disprove their opponent's argument. The rebuttal sheet aids this process considerably. An example of a rebuttal sheet can be downloaded here.

PDF file: Rebuttal sheet for debating (18 KB)

An example of rebuttal

In the debate 'This house would abolish school uniform', a proposition speaker could argue that one of the benefits of abolishing school uniform would be that levels of bullying would go down.

The opposition speakers should then think of arguments to disprove this. The most obvious argument would be that the alternative suggested by the proposition speaker – a system where school pupils could wear their own clothes – would lead to more bullying, as people who could not afford designer labels might get bullied.

Prioritise your points

It is very important that speakers prioritise their rebuttal sensibly. It is always more productive to spend time rebutting the opposing side’s major arguments rather than pedantically picking holes in their minor points. This may be more difficult but if, via rebuttal, a speaker can win an argument, this will go a long way towards winning the entire debate.

Be prepared - research the other side

Whilst researching for the debate, teams should have developed a good understanding of what the other side’s case might be. Speakers should use this understanding to prepare their refutation of obvious points. However, speakers should be prepared to be flexible. If a team uses an unexpected argument, they will have to think quickly in order to refute it.

Stick to the facts

Speakers must always rebut the points which the opposing speakers did make, rather than the points that they expected or wanted them to make. See also Advanced techniques.

Key points when rebutting

Rebuttal can be difficult to master but there are a few areas that debaters should always focus on.

1) Show that there is no good evidence for what their opponent is arguing:

There is no evidence.
The evidence is not reliable.
There is other better evidence.

2) Show that the reason behind the argument is not a good one:

The reason is not important.
The reason is not relevant.
The reason is not logical.

3) Show that there are other issues that need to be considered:

There is another solution to the problem.
The problem is unavoidable.
The solution put forward is unfair or immoral.

The game ‘I couldn’t disagree more’ is a good way to hone rebuttal skills.

See Games, balloons and alley debates.

Teacher notes

How to assess progress

Do pupils understand what rebuttal is?
Can pupils rebut arguments effectively in debates?