**What are the four steps of refutation?** The four steps of refutation are: 1. Restate - Concisely and fairly summarize the opposing argument. 2. Refute - State your objection as a point in a simple sentence. 3. Support - Use "because" to provide examples which support your reasoning. 4. Conclude - Wrap up your refutations with a comparison or contrast that resolves two opposing ideas. > [!example] Example of the four-step refutation > Let's say the topic of the debate is whether or not school uniforms should be mandatory in public schools. > > 1. Restate - Supporters of school uniforms argue that requiring all students to wear the same clothing promotes equality and lessens social pressure based on appearance. > 2. Refute - However, mandatory uniforms don't eliminate peer pressure, it simply shifts it to other areas. > 3. Support - This is because students may still judge each other based on, for example, shoes, accessories, belongings, and even physical appearance. As well, enforcing these policies would lead to more disciplinary issues which would distract from what the main focus of school should be: learning. > 4. Conclude - While uniforms may reduce differences in clothing between students, they don't address the deeper issues of social inequality or bullying. In contrast, fostering respect and inclusion among students would address these root causes more effectively than enforcing uniformity.