This guide is designed to help you find fundamental resources for research in the area of rhetoric. The resources here are by no means comprehensive, but they will help you achieve a sound start to your work. The research process is often nonlinear and you will probably find yourself returning to certain steps and certain resources over and over. Explore, ask questions, find information.

Please feel free to contact me with your questions or suggestions for improving this guide!

A quick video explanation from the Toronto Debating Society

1. Identify the dilemma.

1. Identify, in detail, the position you intend to defend.
2. Identify, in detail, the position you intend to oppose.
3. Show how these positions are contradistinctive and mutually exclusive.

2. Identify the arguments in favor of your position.

1. Identify the reasons and evidence that support your position.
2. Explain how your reasons are bound to larger principles and are more important or stronger than those of your opposition.
3. Explain how specific examples or cases support your position.

3. Identify the arguments in favor of your opposition’s position.

1. Identify the reasons and evidence that support your opposition’s position.
2. Explain how your reasons are more important or stronger than those of your opposition.
3. Explain how your specific examples or cases do not support your opposition’s position.

4. Identify the objections to each position.

1. Identify the objections you might make to your opposition’s position and their arguments.  Anticipate possible responses.
2. Identify the objections the opposition might make to your position and arguments. How do you respond to these objections?

Polish some of the research skills that will be necessary for research, writing, and presentation across multiple academic disciplines.