A history and analysis of legislative debating in the United States.

This study develops the history of legislative debating in the United States and analyzes logical proof and refutation in two representative debates. Chapter I defines the role of debate in American legislative history. The importance, changes, and future of legislative debating are discussed. Emphasis is placed on debate in the national Senate. The background of the Webster-Hayne debate on the Foote Resolution, including the setting and biographies of the speakers, introduces Chapter II. Logical proof and refutation employed in two of the more important speeches of the lengthy debate are analyzed. Logical proof is divided into evidence and reasoning. Several leading debate texts are examined to determine the principle types of logical proof and refutation. It is concluded that emotional as well as logical proofs are used, and that Webster effectively answers his opponent. Chapter III utilizes the same methods to provide an understanding of the Borah-Williams debate on the League of Nations. It is concluded that both speakers use emotional and ethical proofs as frequently as logical proofs. It is the conclusion of this study that legislative debating has undergone numerous changes in style and purpose, but continues to be an important facet of the American governmental process.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

1967

Author dc:creator

• Dlugach, Martha New, 1943-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Capp, Glenn R., 1910-1998.

• Debates and debating.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/14246

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/14246