ARGUMENTATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF DEBATERS IN ASEAN LAW STUDENT ASSOCIATION ENGLISH COMPETITION GRAND FINAL 2011. A THESIS. ENGLISH AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT. FACULTY OF LANGUAGES AND ARTS. STATE UNIVERSITY OF MEDAN.

This research deals with the kinds of argumentative characteristics in ASEAN Law Student Association English Competition (ALSA E-Comp) Grand Final 2011.It was conducted by using qualitative descriptive method. The objectives are to describe the most dominant kinds of argumentative characteristics used by each debater and to elaborate the reason. Smalley &Ruetten (1986) mentioned five characteristics of a good argument; they are (1) Argumentation should introduce and explain the issue or case, (2) Argumentation should offer reason and support for the reason, (3) Argumentation should refute the opposing arguments, (4) If an opponent has a valid point, concede the point, and (5) The conclusion should logically follow from the argument. It was found that there are 25 data which are relevant with the theory of argumentative characteristics.The findings show the most dominant kind of argumentative characteristics used by the prime minister is the second one ( 2 arguments, 50 % ), the deputy prime minister uses the third kind ( 2 arguments, 50 % ), and the proposition whip uses the third and the forth one ( 2 arguments, 50 % ). On the other hand, the opposition leader uses the second argumentative characteristics ( 2 arguments, 50 % ), the deputy leader of opposition uses the second one ( 3 arguments, 60 % ), and the opposition whip uses the third argumentative characteristics ( 2 arguments, 50 % ). There are two major reasons affecting it, i.e. the role of each speaker and the heat of debate.