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Statement grade
The average of Signal, Relevance, Reasoning and Clarity. Reasoning rests on one conclusion, too few to hold the grade down. Average 79 / 100
Signal
72 / 100
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Relevance
63 / 100
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Reasoning
87 / 100
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Respect
–
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Clarity
94 / 100
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A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.
Claims 26% Positioning 21% Reasoning 42% Thanks 3% Promise 6% Procedure 3%
Structure · 8 steps
Claims · 1
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. President, Claims · 32 words Senator Durbin is referring to what’s called the PROMISE Act.1 Again, it is a bill which sets up a process to come to a solution. Off point It doesn’t dictate what the solution is. Positioning · 12 words We have colleagues who are objecting to coming up with a process, Positioning Reasoning · 52 words and so it is important for our country that Congress tackle this issue. Off point And when I say ``our country,’’ I mean the people who live here. And the people who live here, whether they are older or whether they are younger, they are relying upon Congress to step up to its responsibility. Thanks · 4 words Thank you, Senator Durbin. Thanks Promise · 7 words We will continue to push on this. Vague promise Positioning · 14 words It is important for our Congress, important for our country, important for our people. Positioning Off point Procedure · 4 words I yield the floor. Procedure
At a glance
Lost points for Off point ×3 Positioning ×2 Thanks Vague promise Procedure
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 72
4 of 8 deductions are Signal
Signal checks whether every part makes a point, gives a reason, or asks for action. A low score means the speaker filled time with fluff, pleasantries, or attacks.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “We have colleagues who are objecting to coming up with a process,” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “Thank you, Senator Durbin.” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “It is important for our Congress, important for our country, important for our people.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Procedure Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business. What the tags mean → “I yield the floor.” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · 63
3 of 8 deductions are Relevance
Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue. Measured against the bill under debate.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “Again, it is a bill which sets up a process to come to a solution.” Describes the PROMISE Act’s process, a different bill than the AGOA Extension Act under debate.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “and so it is important for our country that Congress tackle this issue.” Urges Congress to tackle an unspecified issue that is not the AGOA bill on the floor.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “It is important for our Congress, important for our country, important for our people.” Reiterates the importance of Congress and the country on a subject other than the AGOA Extension Act.
Reasoning · 87
0 of 8 deductions are Reasoning
Reasoning checks for sound logic and solid support for any conclusion. A low score means the speaker made unsupported leaps or used weak arguments.
Nothing lost points.
Conclusions found · 1
Conclusion “and so it is important for our country that Congress tackle this issue.”
Because “Again, it is a bill which sets up a process to come to a solution.”
“It doesn’t dictate what the solution is.”
“We have colleagues who are objecting to coming up with a process,”
Respect · no score
Not checked: graded before this measurement existed. Excluded from the average.
Respect checks whether the speaker argued with people’s positions and records rather than attacking the people: insults, mockery, or bad motives assigned to them. Criticism of what someone did, however strong, is not marked.
Clarity · 94
1 of 8 deductions are Clarity
Clarity checks for plain speaking, clear ownership of actions, and honest limits on certainty. A low score means vague promises or evasive language.
Vague promise A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible. What the tags mean → “We will continue to push on this” The commitment names no concrete action, date, or measure of success.
Claims · 1
This list shows the factual statements you can check for yourself: the words as said, and the claim restated to stand on its own.
1 “Senator Durbin is referring to what’s called the PROMISE Act” The bill Senator Durbin was referring to in this debate is called the PROMISE Act. search
