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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 42 / 100
Signal
14 / 100
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Relevance
20 / 100
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Reasoning
87 / 100
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Respect
–
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Clarity
46 / 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.
Positioning 56% Procedure 5% Aside 25% Claims 14%
Structure · 5 steps
Claims · 1
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. President, Positioning · 90 words I just wanted to say there is one thing that Senator Tillis said that I disagree with, and that is that he said he is not a statesman. He is. And it took a lot of political courage to do something that we knew we were buying trouble because we knew that this can be such an emotional issue and so easy to mislead people about what the facts are, that we knew that there would be a political price to be paid in order to take on this challenge. Positioning Off point Unearned certainty Unearned certainty Procedure · 8 words But one of the things that I think, Procedure Aside · 40 words as we are talking about the harm of a young person who is suffering from mental illness or with a criminal record, a juvenile record of that--I am sure you are aware of this, but I just happened to double-check. Aside Claims · 22 words The Pew Poll says that 62 percent of the gun deaths in America are suicide.1 These are people--perhaps a disturbed young person--
At a glance
Lost points for Positioning ×4 Off point ×4 Unearned certainty ×2 Aside ×2 Procedure Little substance Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points. Vague Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 14
7 of 13 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 → “I just wanted to say there is one thing that Senator Tillis said that I disagree with,” 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 that is that he said he is not a statesman.” 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 → “He is.” 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 it took a lot of political courage to do something that we knew we were buying trouble because we knew that this can be such an emotional issue and so easy to mislead people about what the facts are, that we knew that there would be a political price to be paid in order to take on this challenge.” 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 → “But one of the things that I think,” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Aside A remark off to the side of the point. What the tags mean → “as we are talking about the harm of a young person who is suffering from mental illness or with a criminal record, a juvenile record of that--I am sure you are aware of this,” An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Aside A remark off to the side of the point. What the tags mean → “but I just happened to double-check.” An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · 20
4 of 13 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 just wanted to say there is one thing that Senator Tillis said that I disagree with,” It addresses a personal disagreement with Senator Tillis rather than 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 that is that he said he is not a statesman.” It continues the tribute to Senator Tillis, not 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 → “He is.” A one-word personal compliment 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 → “And it took a lot of political courage to do something that we knew we were buying trouble because we knew that this can be such an emotional issue and so easy to mislead people about what the facts are, that we knew that there would be a political price to be paid in order to take on this challenge.” It praises Senator Tillis’s courage on an emotional issue rather than addressing the bill.
Reasoning · 87
0 of 13 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 “He is.”
Because “And it took a lot of political courage to do something that we knew we were buying trouble because we knew that this can be such an emotional issue and so easy to mislead people about what the facts are, that we knew that there would be a political price to be paid in order to take on this challenge.”
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 · 46
2 of 13 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 → “we knew we were buying trouble” Asserts shared knowledge with no source or evidence offered.
Unearned certainty Something stated as certain with nothing to back it. What the tags mean → “we knew that there would be a political price to be paid” Claims foreknowledge of political consequences without any supporting basis.
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 “62 percent of the gun deaths in America are suicide” According to the Pew Poll, 62 percent of gun deaths in America are suicides. search
