A defensive argument’s goal is to prevent the other side from scoring a point. As such, a defensive argument usually attempts to mitigate an opponent’s impact or punch a hole in an opponent’s logic. Essentially, a defensive argument doesn’t allow your opponent (or your own side) to gain any ground.
Defensive Responses: Responses that deny the veracity of the claim or render the claim unimportant. If the refuter wins these types of arguments they have simply denied their opponent the ability to win using these arguments.
An offensive argument attempts to turn an opponent’s logic against him or her. An offensive argument will usually accept the opponent’s logic but arrive at a different—and more favorable—conclusion. An offensive argument gains your argument ground as it not only shows why the opposing side is wrong but also why you are right.
Offensive Responses: Responses that concede the premise or warrant of the argument being made but explain why this premise or warrant is a reason to vote for the refuter’s side. Essentially, offensive responses gain the refuter ground by not only showing why the opponent is wrong but why they are right.
It’s far better to score yourself than only to stop the other team from scoring.