Greeting 5% Positioning 14% Claims 56% Thanks 18% Anecdote 3% Procedure 4%
Structure · 10 steps
Claims · 4
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Madam President, Greeting · 22 words I speak today in recognition of the bravery, courage, and valor of nearly 9,000 men and women in the Arkansas National Guard.1 Greeting Positioning · 43 words Day in and day out, the heroes of our National Guard protect our communities and our homeland, stand at the ready to respond to natural disasters, and defend our freedom around the world. Their work is having a huge impact on many fronts. Positioning Unearned certainty Claims · 262 words In Little Rock, our National Guardsmen recently participated in the Pentagon’s largest unclassified cyber defense exercise, known as Cyber Shield, alongside more than 1,000 participants from 44 States and nearly two dozen countries.2 Down at the southern border, Arkansas National Guard troops are working to keep illegal aliens out of our country and stop the flow of deadly, illicit drugs into our communities. Additionally, Arkansas National Guardsmen on the homefront have provided 15 percent of the targeting information for Operation Epic Fury, 3 while guardsmen deployed overseas work on the ground in support of this critical mission. Last but certainly not least and most recently, the National Guardsmen stationed in Washington, DC, as part of the President’s ``Safe and Beautiful’’ mission are cleaning up our Nation’s Capital for all Americans to enjoy. Earlier this summer, just a couple of miles from the Capitol Building, Arkansas National Guardsmen intervened in a violent assault and stopped a potential shooting. While out on patrol earlier, SGT Memphis Perez, SPC Edwin Martinez, SPC Christian Diaz, and PFC Gabriel Oliva encountered a woman with a bloody face, multiple groups of people yelling and arguing, and a suspect threatening to shoot a group of women. These brave guardsmen of Team Razorback stepped into action, detained the suspect with flex cuffs after he attempted to retrieve a Glock pistol from his car, provided medical assistance to the victim, and secured the scene while waiting for Metropolitan Police Department officers to arrive. The heroism of these men saved lives, and because of their courage, they received the Joint Service Achievement Medal.4 Thanks · 23 words I would like to extend my gratitude and admiration to Sergeant Perez, Specialist Martinez, Specialist Diaz, and Private First Class Oliva for doing, Thanks Anecdote · 14 words as my drill sergeant used to say, the hard right over the easy wrong. Anecdote Thanks · 28 words You did your duty with honor and integrity in a very dangerous situation. I commend you for your brave actions and congratulate you on earning this distinguished award. Thanks Positioning · 25 words On the ground, in the air, in cyber space, and right here in the Nation’s Capital, Arkansas National Guardsmen are always ready and always there. Positioning Thanks · 33 words To my fellow Arkansans who have answered the call to serve in the Guard, I say: Thank you. Your example of selflessness, courage, and patriotism has made our country and our State proud. Thanks Procedure · 19 words May God bless you and protect you. May God bless the United States of America. I yield the floor. Procedure Off point
At a glance
Lost points for Off point ×33 Thanks ×8 Positioning ×5 Procedure ×3 Greeting ×2 Unearned certainty Anecdote Off topic None of this speech addressed the bill under debate and what it would change.
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 53
19 of 53 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.
Greeting Greetings and pleasantries. What the tags mean → “I speak today in recognition of the bravery, courage,” A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
Greeting Greetings and pleasantries. What the tags mean → “and valor of nearly 9,000 men and women in the Arkansas National Guard.” A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “Day in and day out, the heroes of our National Guard protect our communities and our homeland, stand at the ready to respond to natural disasters,” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “and defend our freedom around the world.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “Their work is having a huge impact on many fronts.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “I would like to extend my gratitude and admiration to Sergeant Perez, Specialist Martinez, Specialist Diaz,” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “and Private First Class Oliva for doing,” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “as my drill sergeant used to say, the hard right over the easy wrong.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “You did your duty with honor and integrity in a very dangerous situation.” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “I commend you for your brave actions and congratulate you on earning this distinguished award.” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “On the ground, in the air, in cyber space,” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “and right here in the Nation’s Capital, Arkansas National Guardsmen are always ready and always there.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “To my fellow Arkansans who have answered the call to serve in the Guard, I say:” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “Thank you.” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “Your example of selflessness, courage,” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “and patriotism has made our country and our State proud.” Thanks: 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 → “May God bless you and protect you.” Procedure or throat-clearing: 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 → “May God bless the United States of America.” Procedure or throat-clearing: 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 · 0
33 of 53 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 → “I speak today in recognition of the bravery, courage,” The speech is a tribute to the Arkansas National Guard with no connection to the AGOA Extension Act.
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 valor of nearly 9,000 men and women in the Arkansas National Guard.” Praise for Guard members bears no relation to 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 → “Day in and day out, the heroes of our National Guard protect our communities and our homeland, stand at the ready to respond to natural disasters,” General praise of the Guard does not address the AGOA legislation.
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 defend our freedom around the world.” Continues the tribute rather than addressing the pending bill.
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 → “Their work is having a huge impact on many fronts.” Impact of Guard work is unrelated to the trade bill.
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 → “In Little Rock, our National Guardsmen recently participated in the Pentagon’s largest unclassified cyber defense exercise, known as Cyber Shield, alongside more than 1,000 participants from 44 States and nearly two dozen countries.” Cyber exercise anecdote does not touch the AGOA Extension Act.
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 → “Down at the southern border, Arkansas National Guard troops are working to keep illegal aliens out of our country and stop the flow of deadly, illicit drugs into our communities.” Border deployment discussion is off the bill’s subject matter.
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 → “Additionally, Arkansas National Guardsmen on the homefront have provided 15 percent of the targeting information for Operation Epic Fury,” Operation Epic Fury targeting detail is unrelated to the legislation.
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 → “while guardsmen deployed overseas work on the ground in support of this critical mission.” Overseas Guard deployment is not about the bill.
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 → “Last but certainly not least and most recently, the National Guardsmen stationed in Washington, DC,” DC deployment discussion leaves the bill’s subject entirely.
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 → “as part of the President’s ``Safe and Beautiful’’ mission are cleaning up our Nation’s Capital for all Americans to enjoy.” Safe and Beautiful mission praise is unrelated to AGOA.
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 → “Earlier this summer, just a couple of miles from the Capitol Building, Arkansas National Guardsmen intervened in a violent assault and stopped a potential shooting.” Incident anecdote does not address the pending bill.
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 → “While out on patrol earlier, SGT Memphis Perez, SPC Edwin Martinez, SPC Christian Diaz,” Names of guardsmen bear no relation to the bill.
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 PFC Gabriel Oliva encountered a woman with a bloody face, multiple groups of people yelling and arguing,” Scene description continues the tribute, not the bill.
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 a suspect threatening to shoot a group of women.” Scene description continues the tribute, not the bill.
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 → “These brave guardsmen of Team Razorback stepped into action, detained the suspect with flex cuffs after he attempted to retrieve a Glock pistol from his car, provided medical assistance to the victim,” Incident retelling is unrelated to the legislation.
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 secured the scene while waiting for Metropolitan Police Department officers to arrive.” Incident retelling is unrelated to the legislation.
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 → “The heroism of these men saved lives,” Praise of heroism does not address the bill.
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 because of their courage, they received the Joint Service Achievement Medal.” Award mention is unrelated to the AGOA Extension Act.
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 → “I would like to extend my gratitude and admiration to Sergeant Perez, Specialist Martinez, Specialist Diaz,” Gratitude to the guardsmen is not about the bill.
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 Private First Class Oliva for doing,” Gratitude to the guardsmen is not about the bill.
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 → “as my drill sergeant used to say, the hard right over the easy wrong.” Personal drill sergeant aside does not address the bill.
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 → “You did your duty with honor and integrity in a very dangerous situation.” Praise of the guardsmen’s duty is unrelated to the legislation.
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 → “I commend you for your brave actions and congratulate you on earning this distinguished award.” Commendation continues the tribute, not the bill.
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 → “On the ground, in the air, in cyber space,” Guard readiness praise does not address the bill.
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 right here in the Nation’s Capital, Arkansas National Guardsmen are always ready and always there.” Guard readiness praise does not address the bill.
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 → “To my fellow Arkansans who have answered the call to serve in the Guard, I say:” Thanks to Arkansans is unrelated to the pending bill.
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 → “Thank you.” Thanks to Arkansans is unrelated to the pending bill.
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 → “Your example of selflessness, courage,” Praise of selflessness and patriotism is not about the bill.
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 patriotism has made our country and our State proud.” Praise of selflessness and patriotism is not about the bill.
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 → “May God bless you and protect you.” Blessing is a closing courtesy unrelated to the bill.
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 → “May God bless the United States of America.” Blessing is a closing courtesy unrelated to the bill.
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 → “I yield the floor.” Procedural closing is not addressed to the bill.
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 · 97
1 of 53 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.
Unearned certainty Something stated as certain with nothing to back it. What the tags mean → “Their work is having a huge impact” Asserts a large effect with no source, figure, or example given in the clause itself.
Claims · 4
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 “nearly 9,000 men and women in the Arkansas National Guard” The Arkansas National Guard has nearly 9,000 members. search 2 “recently participated in the Pentagon’s largest unclassified cyber defense exercise, known as Cyber Shield, alongside more than 1,000 participants from 44 States and nearly two dozen countries” Arkansas National Guardsmen from Little Rock recently took part in the Pentagon’s largest unclassified cyber defense exercise, Cyber Shield, which included more than 1,000 participants from 44 States and nearly two dozen countries. search 3 “have provided 15 percent of the targeting information for Operation Epic Fury” Arkansas National Guardsmen have provided 15 percent of the targeting information for Operation Epic Fury. search 4 “they received the Joint Service Achievement Medal” Sergeant Memphis Perez, Specialist Edwin Martinez, Specialist Christian Diaz, and Private First Class Gabriel Oliva of the Arkansas National Guard received the Joint Service Achievement Medal for intervening in an assault in Washington, DC. search
