The Proposition.  In order to induce argument, there must be a proposition.  A proposition in argument is a statement—­a declarative sentence—­concerning the truth or expediency of which there may be two opinions.  Notice that not every declarative statement is a proposition for argument.  “The sun rises” is not a statement about which there can be any varying opinions.  It is not a proposition for argument.  But “Missionaries should not be sent to China,” and “John Doe killed Simon Lee,” are statements admitting of different opinions and beliefs.  They are propositions for argument.  No sane person would argue about such a statement as “Missionaries are sent to China,” nor would any one waste time on such a statement as “Some day a man named John Doe will kill a man named Simon Lee.”

Although in common language we speak of arguing a question the student must remember that such a thing is impossible.  You cannot argue about a question.  Nor can you argue about a subject or a topic.  The only expression about which there can be any argument is a proposition.  The question must be answered.  The resulting statement is then proved or disproved.  The topic must be given some definite expression in a declarative sentence before any real argument is possible.  Even when the matter of argument is incorrectly phrased as a topic or question you will find almost immediately in the remarks the proposition as a sentence.  “Should women vote?” may be on the posters announcing an address, but the speaker will soon declare, “Women should vote in all elections in the United States upon the same conditions that men do.”  That is the proposition being argued; the question has been answered.

Kinds of Propositions.  Certain kinds of propositions should never be chosen for argumentation.  Many are incapable of proof, so any speech upon them would result in the mere repetition of personal opinions.  Such are:  The pen is mightier than the sword; Business men should not read poetry; Every person should play golf; Ancient authors were greater than modern authors.  Others are of no interest to contemporary audiences and for that reason should not be presented.  In the Middle Ages scholars discussed such matters as how many angels could stand on the point of a needle, but today no one cares about such things.

Propositions of Fact.  Propositions fall into the two classes already illustrated by the statements about missionaries in China and the killing of Simon Lee.  The second—­John Doe killed Simon Lee—­is a proposition of fact.  All argument about it would tend to prove either the affirmative or the negative.  One argument would strive to prove the statement a fact.  The other argument would try to prove its opposite the actual fact.  Facts are accomplished results or finished events.  Therefore propositions of fact refer to the past.  They are the material of argument in all cases at law, before investigation committees, and in similar