Practical Argumentation | Page 4

conclusion should be so plain
that no one can avoid seeing what is proved and how it is proved.
Lincoln's great success as a debater was due largely to his clearness of
presentation. In the third place, the person who would control his
fellow men must assume qualities of leadership. Remembering that
men can be led, but seldom be driven, he must show his audience how
he himself has reached certain conclusions, and then by leading them
along the same paths of reasoning, bring them to the desired destination.
If exhortation, counsel, and encouragement are required, they must be
at his command. Moreover, a leader who wishes to attract followers
must be earnest and enthusiastic. The least touch of insincerity or
indifference will ruin all. To analyze ideas, to present them clearly, and
as a leader to enforce them enthusiastically and sincerely are necessary
qualities for every arguer.
A debater should possess additional attainments. He ought to be a ready
thinker. The disputant who depends entirely upon a set speech is
greatly handicapped. Since it is impossible to tell beforehand just what
arguments an opponent will use and what line of attack he will pursue,
the man who cannot mass his forces to meet the requirements of the
minute is at great disadvantage. Of course all facts and ideas must be
mastered beforehand, but unless one is to be the first speaker, he can
most effectually determine during the progress of the debate just what
arguments are preferable and what their arrangement should be. A
debater must also have some ability as a speaker. He need not be
graceful or especially fluent, though these accomplishments are of

service, but he must be forceful. Not only his words, but also his
manner must reveal the earnestness and enthusiasm he feels. His
argument, clear, irrefutable, and to the point, should go forth in simple,
burning words that enter into the hearts and understanding of his
hearers.


CHAPTER II
THE SUBJECT
The subject of an argument must always be a complete statement. The
reason for this requirement lies in the fact that an argument can occur
only when men have conflicting opinions about a certain thought, and
try to prove the truth or falsity of this definite idea. Since a _term_--a
word, phrase, or other combination of words not a complete
sentence--suggests many ideas, but never stands for one particular idea,
it is absurd as a subject to be argued. A debatable subject is always a
_proposition_, a statement in which something is affirmed or denied. It
would be impossible to uphold or attack the mere term, "government
railroad supervision," for this expression carries with it no specific
thought. It may suggest that government railroad supervision has been
inadequate in the past; or that government supervision is at present
unnecessary; or that the government is about to assume stricter
supervision. The term affords no common ground on which the
contestants would have to meet. If, however, some exact idea were
expressed in such a statement as, "Further government railroad
supervision is necessary for the best interests of the United States," an
argument might well follow.
Although the subject of an argument must be a complete thought, it
does not follow that this proposition is always explicitly stated or
formulated in words. The same distinction between subject and title
that exists in other kinds of writing is found also in argumentation; the
subject is a statement of the matter about which the controversy centers;

the title is the name by which the composition is known. Sometimes the
subject serves as the title, and sometimes the subject is left to be
discovered in the body of the work. The title of the speech delivered by
Webster in the Senate, January 26, 1830, is "Webster's Reply to Hayne";
the subject, in the form of a resolution, is found close to the opening
sentences:--
_Resolved_, That the Committee on Public Lands be instructed to
inquire and report the quantity of public lands remaining unsold within
each State and Territory, and whether it be expedient to limit for a
certain period the sales of the public lands to such lands only as have
heretofore been offered for sale, and are now subject to entry at the
minimum price. And, also, whether the office of Surveyor- General,
and some of the land offices, may not be abolished without detriment to
the public interest; or whether it be expedient to adopt measures to
hasten the sales and extend more rapidly the surveys of the public
lands.
The thirteen resolutions offered by Burke form the subject of the
argument known by the title, "Burke's Speech on Conciliation with
America." A recent issue of The Outlook contained an article entitled
"Russian Despotism"; careful reading disclosed that the subject was
this, "The Present