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Statement grade
The average of Signal, Reasoning and Clarity. Reasoning rests on 2 conclusions, too few to hold the grade down. Average 55 / 100
Signal
48 / 100
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Relevance
–
Not scored Viewing ↓
Reasoning
60 / 100
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Respect
–
Not scored Viewing ↓
Clarity
58 / 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 1% Anecdote 36% Claims 35% Reasoning 15% Procedure 4% Positioning 10%
Structure · 9 steps
Claims · 1
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Aside · 1 words Yes. Aside Anecdote · 56 words As Cicero once said on the floor of the Roman Senate: If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice--actually, that wasn’t Cicero; it was Rush in the song ``Freewill.’’ But the point was made: When you are aware of something and you do nothing about it, that, by itself, is a decision. Anecdote Claims · 8 words They have identified that this is an issue. Reasoning · 23 words And by suggesting that we move forward while doing nothing about it, that--there is an inexorable, inescapable conclusion that one derives from that, Logical leap Logical leap Unearned certainty Procedure · 2 words which is: Procedure Positioning · 9 words They are just fine with this form of cheating. Positioning Unearned certainty Claims · 46 words They are just fine with the very real possibility that up to 278,000 noncitizens, in those 4 States alone that we mentioned--to say nothing of the hundreds of thousands in other States that might be registered to vote illegally-- that those guys are going to vote.1 Positioning · 6 words They are just fine with that. Positioning Unearned certainty Procedure · 4 words Let that sink in. Procedure
At a glance
Lost points for Anecdote ×5 Unearned certainty ×3 Logical leap ×2 Procedure ×2 Positioning ×2 Aside
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 48
10 of 15 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 → “Yes.” An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Anecdote A story that illustrates instead of making a point. What the tags mean → “As Cicero once said on the floor of the Roman Senate:” 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 → “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice--actually, that wasn’t Cicero;” 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 → “it was Rush in the song ``Freewill.’’” 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 → “But the point was made:” 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 → “When you are aware of something and you do nothing about it, that, by itself, is a decision.” An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Procedure Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business. What the tags mean → “which is:” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “They are just fine with this form of cheating.” 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 → “They are just fine with that.” 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 → “Let that sink in.” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · no score
Not applicable: nothing to answer. Excluded from the average.
Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue.
Reasoning · 60
2 of 15 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.
Logical leap A conclusion that does not follow from the reasons given for it. What the tags mean → “And by suggesting that we move forward while doing nothing about it, that--there is an inexorable, inescapable conclusion that one derives from that,” Inaction is treated as consent to cheating, but declining to act does not show the colleagues are ‘just fine with’ it.
Logical leap A conclusion that does not follow from the reasons given for it. What the tags mean → “And by suggesting that we move forward while doing nothing about it, that--there is an inexorable, inescapable conclusion that one derives from that,” Awareness plus moving forward without action is claimed to establish acceptance of the outcome, which is not the only reading of their conduct.
Conclusions found · 2
Conclusion “They are just fine with this form of cheating.”
Because “And by suggesting that we move forward while doing nothing about it, that--there is an inexorable, inescapable conclusion that one derives from that,”
“which is:”
Reason flawed Inaction is treated as consent to cheating, but declining to act does not show the colleagues are ‘just fine with’ it.
Conclusion “They are just fine with that.”
Because “And by suggesting that we move forward while doing nothing about it, that--there is an inexorable, inescapable conclusion that one derives from that,”
“They are just fine with the very real possibility that up to 278,000 noncitizens, in those 4 States alone that we mentioned--to say nothing of the hundreds of thousands in other States that might be registered to vote illegally-- that those guys are going to vote.”
Reason flawed Awareness plus moving forward without action is claimed to establish acceptance of the outcome, which is not the only reading of their conduct.
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 · 58
3 of 15 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 → “there is an inexorable, inescapable conclusion” Asserts a forced conclusion in place of any evidence or argument for it.
Unearned certainty Something stated as certain with nothing to back it. What the tags mean → “They are just fine with this form of cheating” States others’ attitude as certain fact without quoting or citing them.
Unearned certainty Something stated as certain with nothing to back it. What the tags mean → “They are just fine with that” Reasserts the same claim about others’ stance with no source offered.
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 “up to 278,000 noncitizens, in those 4 States alone” Up to 278,000 noncitizens may be registered to vote in the four States mentioned in the speech. search
