DEBATES

WHAT ?

WHY ? DEBATE HOW ?

 THE FORMAL
PRESENTATION AND
OPPOSITION OF A SPECIFIC
MOTION, FOLLOWED BY A
VOTE
• A debate involves a discussion of the pros and cons of an issue.

• Debating successfully is all about using argument and persuasion.

• To convince other people that your views are right.

WHY ? LEARN TO

• USE LIBRARY & INTERNET.

• BE THOROUGH & ACCURATE.
• TO ANALYZE – SIFT WHEAT FROM CHAFF.
• MAKE A STATEMENT & PROVE IT.
• PRESENT IDEAS IN CLEAR & EFF MANNER.
• “USE YOUR HEAD” IN TIME OF NEED.
• CONVINCE OTHERS WITH YOUR ARGUMENT
WITHOUT BEING CONVINCED YOURSELF.
• IMPROVE COMN SKILLS.
 "If it is a disgrace to a man

when he cannot defend himself in a bodily way,

it would be absurd not to think him disgraced

when he cannot defend himself with reason in a speech."

 HOW ?
INTRO DEBATE SUM UP
OPEN
VOTE HOUSE
AFFIRMATIVES NEGATIVES

# 1 (5 MINS)
DEFINE TOPIC
PRESENT TEAM LINE
PRESENT FIRST HALF CASE
# 2 (3 MINS)
REAFFIRM TEAM LINE
REBUT # 1 NEGATIVE (1/3)
PRESENT SEC HALF CASE
# 1 (2 MINS)
REBUT – BURDEN OF PROOF
# 1 (5 MINS)
ACCEPT OR REJECT
PRESENT TEAM LINE
REBUT # 1 AFFIRMATIVE
PRESENT FIRST HALF CASE
# 2 (3 MINS)
REAFFIRM TEAM LINE
REBUT # 2 AFFIRMATIVE
PRESENT SEC HALF CASE
 TYPES OF DEBATES
• PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE.

• LINCOLN – DOUGLAS DEBATE – NATIONAL/

MORAL ISSUES; US PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES.

• CROSS EXAMINATION DEBATE – ALSO CALLED

POLICY OR TEAM DEBATE.

• ACADEMIC DEBATE.
 MATTER

METHOD CONCEPT MANNER

ARGUMENTS

MATTER

EXAMPLES
TEAM METHOD INDL
 CUE
CARDS

EYE
CONTACT VOICE

NERVOUS
HABITS
BODY
 ADVICE AND SUGGESTIONS
• AVOID AD HOMINEM – ATTACK THE IDEA NOT THE
PERSON.
• YOU NEED NOT WIN EVERY BATTLE TO WIN A
WAR.
• DON’T WIN A DEBATE AND LOSE A FRIEND.
• AVOID WORDS – NEVER/ ALWAYS.
• SMILE WHILE DISAGREEING.
• WATCH YOUR TONE.
• STRESS THE POSITIVE.
• QUOTE SOURCES AND NUMBERS.
• DO NOT PRESENT OPINION AS FACTS.