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Statement grade
The average of Signal, Relevance and Clarity. Average 86 / 100
Signal
71 / 100
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Relevance
100 / 100
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Respect
–
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Clarity
86 / 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.
Aside 21% Claims 39% Reasoning 34% Procedure 7%
Structure · 6 steps
Claims · 3
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. Speaker, Aside · 34 words the argument for the motion to recommit reminds me of what President Reagan said--this is the Democrat philosophy--if it moves, tax it.3 If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops, then subsidize it. Aside Off point Claims · 63 words Unfortunately, if it stops, who we are going to be subsidizing are foreign countries that we are importing seafood from. To correct the record, it is not 1,700 jobs in Maine; 1 it is 17,000 jobs in Maine--over 17,000 jobs.2 We are talking about a serious economic impact, and we are also talking about the fact that what is happening right now is working. Unearned certainty Reasoning · 55 words Why continue to regulate it? Why put more burdens on Maine lobstermen who are in a tough situation, as fishermen are, around the world? So the solution is to regulate them more? It is like, hey, we see you are having a hard time, so let’s put some more regulations on you. That doesn’t work. Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 11 words I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Golden). Procedure
At a glance
Lost points for Aside ×3 Off point ×3 Procedure ×2 Unearned certainty
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 71
5 of 9 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.
Aside A remark off to the side of the point. What the tags mean → “the argument for the motion to recommit reminds me of what President Reagan said--this is the Democrat philosophy--if it moves, tax it.” An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Aside A remark off to the side of the point. What the tags mean → “If it keeps moving, regulate it.” An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Aside A remark off to the side of the point. What the tags mean → “If it stops, then subsidize it.” An aside: 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 1 minute to the gentleman from Maine (Mr.” 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 → “Golden).” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · 100
3 of 9 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 → “the argument for the motion to recommit reminds me of what President Reagan said--this is the Democrat philosophy--if it moves, tax it.” A generic partisan quip about taxing, not about the bill’s regulatory deadline or the lobster fishery.
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 → “If it keeps moving, regulate it.” A continuation of the generic anti-regulation slogan rather than an argument about this bill’s provisions.
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 → “If it stops, then subsidize it.” The slogan’s subsidy line is a partisan jab detached from the bill’s terms.
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 · 86
1 of 9 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 → “what is happening right now is working” Asserts success as a settled fact with no source or measure offered.
Claims · 3
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 “it is not 1,700 jobs in Maine” The claim that the lobster industry supports 1,700 jobs in Maine is incorrect. search 2 “it is 17,000 jobs in Maine--over 17,000 jobs” The lobster fishery supports over 17,000 jobs in Maine. search 3 “President Reagan said--this is the Democrat philosophy--if it moves, tax it” President Reagan said ‘if it moves, tax it’ as part of a quip about the Democrat philosophy. search
