All about propositions as the subject of argumentation, its importance, forms, classes, characteristics and examples

1. THE SUBJECT OF
ARGUMENTATION
Shara G. Pineda

2. PROPOSITION
 “An expression in words of an act of
judgement.”
An act of judgement is a mental assertion of
something true or untrue.
 It is expressed in a complete statement with a
subject and a predicate.
 It allows an affirmance or a denial.

3. Illustrations:
 The Filipino woman of yesterday was better
than the Filipino woman of today.
 Capital punishment should be abolished.
 City mayors should be elected by popular
vote.

4. CLASSES:
CONCERNEDWITHTHE
TRUTH OR FALSITYOF
AN ACT OF JUDGEMENT
ISTHIS ASSERTION
TRUE?
CONCERNED WITHTHE
WISDOM OR UNWISDOM,
THE EXPEDIENCY OR
INEXPEDIENCY, OF A
COURSE OF ACTION.
SHOULD IT BE DONE?

5. Illustration:
1. Resolved,That elective city mayors are more
efficient than appointive ones.
2. Resolved,That the Chinese are a menace to
our national security.

6. Illustration:
1. Resolved,That the Filipino woman should be
disfranchised.
2. Resolved,That the term of office of the
President be six years, without re-election.

8. Proposition may not be formally expressed.
Proposition must always be expressed in
the introduction, in public discussions it
is not always advisable to do so.

9.  This is especially the case when one is to
present views in a specific problem to the
readers whose prejudices and beliefs are
know to be opposed.
 In public discussions on questions of national
importance, it is advisable that the arguer
first present the problem in the form of
question.

10.  The arguer may disclose his stand on this
questions after he has carefully prepared the
willingness to his audience to listen to him.
 But in a formal contest debate, it is
imperative that the propositions be always
expressed in the form of a resolution.

11. The Forms of the Propositions:
A. In a Club.
B. In a parliamentary body.
C. In a Municipal Council.
D. In a court of Law.

12. In a Club
 Such as literary society, a fraternity and a
class organization.
 The proposition is presented in the form of a
motion from the floor.

13. In a Parliamentary body
 Such as the House of a Representatives.
 The proposition is presented in any one of the
following forms:
A bill, a resolution, or a motion.

14. In a Municipal Council
 Such as MunicipalCouncil of the City of the
of Manila.
 The proposition is presented in any one of the
following forms:
an ordinance , or a motion or a resolution.

15. In a court of Law
 The is presented in the forms of a pleading.
Pleading may found in:
1. Complaint
2. Information
3. Petition
4. Motion

17.  Speakers The audience
 Occasion Their education
 Training Experiences
 Likes and Dislikes Interest
 Idiosyncrasies
May be chosen because it is timely, its
discussion is profitable or it is best adapted to
the interest of the debater or audience.

18. A.The proposition must be in the form of an assertion
-In a form of affirmation
-Declarative
-Positive

19. B.The proposition must express only one act of judgment.
-Must express single idea
-A proposition must NOT expressTWO acts of
judgment.
Resolved, That the Philippines establish a
unicameral legislature and that the Speaker of the
House of the Representatives be elected by direct
popular vote.

20. C. Must be susceptible of only one interpretation.
-The words used in the Statement should be clear.
-Must use clear definition of words and double meaning word
must be avoided.
D.The proposition must be unprejudiced.
-There should not be a word of praise or blame.
- Avoid offensive words.

21. E.The proposition should avoid abstraction and generalizations.
-The Idea must be Concrete and specific.
-Must avoid Generalization.
F.The proposition must be concise and simple.
-Unnecessary information should be omitted.
-Words should be understandable to the audience and both debater.
Resolved, that the women should organize a civic club.
Resolved, in order to serve the end of justice and meet public demand, retail
trade be nationalized.

22. G.The proposition must be debatable.
-The statement must not expedient , wise or obviously true or false.
-Must allow enough opinions to rise.
H.The burden of proof shall fall on the affirmative side.
-Affirmative side must take the burden of proof from the opposing side.
-Resolved,That to be honest is to be honorable.
-Resolved,That China is bigger than Japan.
Resolved,That the Filipino woman should be granted the right of suffrage.

23. I. A proposition must be interesting.
-A proposition must be within the comprehension of both audience
and the speaker.
Resolved,That coronary thrombosis is curable.

24. A. The proposition must be in the form of an
assertion
B. The proposition must express only one act of
judgment.
C. Must be susceptible of only one interpretation.
D. The proposition must be unprejudiced.
E. The proposition should avoid abstraction and
generalizations.
F. The proposition must be concise and simple.
G. The proposition must be debatable.
H. The burden of proof shall fall on the affirmative
side.
I. Must be interesting.