Warrants
A warrant is a reason that a claim is true.
A claim without a warrant is merely an assertion; it is a statement of opinion without explanation or justification.
If the claim is important because it gets the audience pointed in the right direction, the warrant is important because it helps the audience start moving down the path of the argument. The warrant should immediately follow the claim and should specify, explain, or justify it.
Like claims, warrants should be structured in a very specific way. They should be introduced with language that indicates the speaker is providing a warrant. The most basic way to do this is with a phrase such as “This is true because . . . ” or “This is the case because . . . ” Using this type of simple, direct language ensures that speakers remember to provide warrants; it not only reminds the speaker that a warrant is necessary, but also helps her form sentences that actually provide warrants. By beginning warrants in this specific way, speakers are verbally prompting themselves to make clear arguments; this is important because debaters are often speaking extemporaneously from notes and may otherwise stray from the structure of their argument.
Many types of warrants are possible for claims. The sample claim above, “The first reason to affirm the resolution is because it will stimulate economic growth,” can be advanced with several different warrants. For example, a warrant may specify how the claim will occur: “It will do this by putting more money into the hands of investors, who pass the money along to businesses and boost production.” A warrant may also explain why a claim will occur: “This is true because tax cuts lead to an increase in investor confidence.” Hundreds of variations are possible for this one argument, and dozens of other arguments to be explored; what is important is that the warrant clarify the claim and provide argumentative momentum.