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Statement grade
The average of Signal, Relevance and Clarity. Average 77 / 100
Signal
52 / 100
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Relevance
100 / 100
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Respect
–
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Clarity
78 / 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.
Thanks 25% Reasoning 52% Anecdote 15% Positioning 7%
Structure · 8 steps
Claims · 2
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. Speaker, Thanks · 33 words I thank those who had the foresight to declare that all persons are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, among them: 1 life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thanks Off point Reasoning · 18 words You are not giving up your constitutional rights when you are doing what you can to protect life. Anecdote · 20 words I have been to the funerals. I have seen the people who have lost their loved ones to gun violence. Anecdote Reasoning · 34 words At some point we have to do more than contend that privacy trumps the right to life. Vague promise The person’s right to life trumps privacy, especially when no court has said that this is unconstitutional.2 Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 9 words that is pure speculation on behalf of some people. Positioning Reasoning · 16 words I believe that the right to life trumps this right to privacy that they are contending.
At a glance
Lost points for Thanks ×3 Off point ×3 Anecdote ×2 Vague promise Positioning
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 52
6 of 10 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.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “I thank those who had the foresight to declare that all persons are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, among them:” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “life, liberty,” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks Thanks and tributes. What the tags mean → “and the pursuit of happiness.” Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “I have been to the funerals.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “I have seen the people who have lost their loved ones to gun violence.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “that is pure speculation on behalf of some people.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · 100
3 of 10 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 thank those who had the foresight to declare that all persons are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, among them:” Rhetorical preamble invoking the Declaration of Independence rather than the bill’s merchant-code 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 → “life, liberty,” Continues the Declaration preamble and 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 the pursuit of happiness.” Completes the preamble quotation with no connection 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 · 78
1 of 10 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 → “At some point we have to do more” Names no actor, action, measure, or time, so it commits to nothing checkable.
Claims · 2
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 “all persons are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights” The Declaration of Independence declares that all persons are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. search 2 “no court has said that this is unconstitutional” No court has ruled that payment card merchant codes distinguishing firearms retailers from other retailers are unconstitutional. search
