The Analysis: Explaining Why the Evidence Matters
Evidence alone does not win a point; a competitor must explain the logical chain connecting the evidence to the claim. You will be able to write analysis sentences that explain mechanism rather than simply restating a fact.
The Difference Between Summary and Analysis
Summary restates what a source said; analysis explains why that fact matters and how it connects to the broader claim, using words like 'because,' 'which means,' and 'this shows.' A speech that strings together five summarized facts with no analysis is often called a 'summary of the news' by judges, and it is one of the most common critiques on Extemp ballots.
Building a Logical Chain
Strong analysis walks through a chain: this fact is true, which causes this effect, which in turn means the claim holds. For the Fed example: unemployment rose to 4.2 percent, which historically has preceded rate cuts within two to three months, which means the Fed's own data-driven framework points toward a cut this year, not merely that the Fed 'might' consider one someday.
Continuing point one after the citation.
"This matters because the Federal Reserve has explicitly said it is 'data-dependent,' meaning its decisions follow exactly these kinds of labor market signals rather than political pressure alone. Historically, when unemployment has climbed this quickly over a six-month window, the Fed has cut rates within its next two meetings in four of the last five cycles, which means this is not speculation — it is a pattern the Fed itself has committed to following."
1. What distinguishes analysis from summary?
Answer all 1 to check.
Analysis is the logical chain — fact, cause, effect, and connection back to the claim — that separates a competitive point from a mere summary of headlines.