Restrictions in Rebuttal.  In rebuttal—­if it be provided—­the main restrictions are two.  The speeches are shorter than the earlier ones.  No new lines of argument may be introduced.  Only lines of proof already brought forward may be considered.  Since the speeches are shorter and the material is restricted there is always the disposition to use rebuttal speeches for refutation only.  This is a mistake.  Refute, but remember always that constructive argument is more likely to win decisions than destructive.  Dispose of as many points of the opponents as possible, but reiterate the supporting reasons of your own.  Many speakers waste their rebuttals by trying to cover too many points.  They therefore have insufficient time to prove anything, so they fall back upon bare contradiction and assertion.  Such presentations are mere jumbles of statements.  Choose a few important phases of the opposing side’s contention.  Refute them.  Choose the telling aspects of your own case.  Emphasize them.

Manner in Debating.  Be as earnest and convincing in your speeches as you can.  Never yield to the temptation to indulge in personalities.  Recall that other speakers should never be mentioned by name.  They are identified by their order and their side, as “The first speaker on the affirmative” or “The speaker who preceded me,” or “My colleague,” or “My opponent.”  Avoid using these with tones and phrases of sarcasm and bitterness.  Be fair and courteous in every way.  Never indulge in such belittling expressions as “No one understands what he is trying to prove.  He reels off a string of figures which mean nothing.”  Never indulge in cheap wit or attempts at satiric humor.

Prepare so adequately, analyze so keenly, argue so logically, speak so convincingly, that even when your side loses, your opponents will have to admit that you forced them to do better than they had any idea they could.

CHAPTER XIII

SPEAKING UPON SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Speech-making in the Professions.  If a student enter a profession in which speech-making is the regular means of gaining his livelihood—­as in law, religion, or lecturing—­he will find it necessary to secure training in the technical methods applying to the particular kind of speech-making in which he will indulge.  This book does not attempt to prepare any one for mastery of such special forms.  The student will, however, be helping himself if he examines critically every delivery of a legal argument, sermon, or lecture he hears, for many of the rules illustrated by them and the impressions made by their speakers, can be transferred as models to be imitated or specimens to be avoided in his own more restricted and less important world.