Successful debaters show why their arguments matter by explaining the significance and importance of their arguments. An argument's significance is called its impact. Debaters cannot assume that judges and other teams will find the same arguments important, so they must explain the impacts of their arguments to demonstrate why they are significant. To do this, debaters should follow each argument with a "therefore" statement providing reasons why the argument and its impacts are important.

1. IMPACTS
Making
Arguments Matter

2. SUCCESSFUL
Successful debators are able to show why their
arguments matter. They can explain the significance of
arguments in a way that makes them more important and
real.

3. What's An Impact?
One way to evaluate arguments is by looking at their
significance. In debate, an argument's significance is
called its impact.
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4. No Assumptions
Do not assume that you, the judge, and other debators
agree on what arguments are important. In debates, you
often make an argument that you think is important, but
the other team and perhaps the judge does not.

5. Presentation is Everything
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6. Therefore ...
You must follow your arguments with a "therefore"
statement providing reasons why they matter. For
example "Children should watch less television because it
affects them negatively," is not enough. You must say how
watching too much television affects them and how many
children are affected. Explaining your impacts shows the
judge and the audience the significance of your issue and
the importance of your argument.

7. Thoughtful Politics
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8. IMPACTS .... explain why
each of the following impacts
are bad
drought
crime
falling a class
famine
floods
forest fires
global warming
imprisonment
inequality
losing freedom of speech
sexism
slavery