Milky Way School

English Education Department

English Debate Contest Orientation
For
Secondary Students
Academic Year: 2022-2023
Date: December 17, 2022
 Contents

I. Debate Contest 2023

II. Monthly Class Debate
I. Debate Contest 2023
 Chapter I
Aims and Terminology
1- Aims of Debate

➢English Debate is one of the school contests to fulfill the needs of learners. It
aims to improve speaking skills, teamwork, researching skills, critical
thinking skills, communicative skills, etc. Furthermore, it is particularly
helpful in providing experience in developing a convincing argument.

➢The contest is for English secondary students who study at Milky Way
School.
Debate Terminology

What is a Debate?
 Debate Terminology

•A debate is a contest, or, perhaps, like a game, where

two or more speakers present their arguments intent
on persuading one another.
➢To win a debate, you must do two things:
1- Give good reasons why your side of the topic is
true, and
2- Show why opposition’s reasons are wrong
(rebuttal).
 Debate Terminology

• Proposition Team is a team which takes the position suggested by the

motion and provides arguments in support.
• Opposition Team is a team which takes the position contrary to the
proposition team and provides arguments that explain why they are
not correct, and against the motion more generally.
 Debate Terminology

• Motion
• Motion is the debate topic. It is something to argue about. It is often about
current issues of public importance or about general philosophies or ideas.

Examples of Motion
1. “This house believes that girls should not attend university.”
2. “This house believes that all people should be vegetarians.”
3. “This house believes that smoking should be illegal.”

Go to below website for more Motions.

https://betterdebatemanual.wixsite.com/better/debate-motions
 Debate Terminology

Types of Motion

Motions can be divided according to, structure and substance. The substance
of a motion refers to the assertion that the motion adopts and the premises
that support that assertion.
Debate Terminology
 Debate Terminology

Motion Analysis
There are 5 key steps that enable you to effectively analyse a
motion:
1. Identify key words.
2. Identify the setting (time and location).
3. Identify the type of motion.
4. Identify the stakeholders (the people) involved.
5. Building the stance (opinion).
 Debate Terminology

The first step in preparing any debate is working out the issue. Your team
should agree on the issue before proceeding to any other preparation. Often,
this will be very easy; the motion itself will tell you the issue. The first principle
is simple: where there is a clear issue, debate that issue!
 Debate Terminology (continued)

• Definition
What is Definition?

➢A definition is an interpretation of the motion.

The job of defining begins with the PROPOSITION. The first speaker of the
PROPOSITION must explain in clear terms what they believe the topic
means.
 Debate Terminology

How to define a topic/motion:

❖ Define key terms in the motion, not every single word.

Ex: This house believes that SMOKING should be ILLEGAL.
❖ Do not define metaphorical terms literally.
Ex: This house believes that CARROT is better than STICK.
Example 1:

Motion: That quota is not the answer for women.

Definition:
• Quota: Putting a minimum limit of 30% seats for women in the parliament.
• Not the answer: Not the right solution to promote gender equality in society.
➢Thus the whole definition is: “Putting a minimum limit of 30% seats for
women in parliament is not the right solution to promote gender equality in
society”.
Example 2:
Motion: That this house supports capital punishment for drug dealers.
Definition:
• Capital Punishment: A maximum punishment given to a criminal in the form
of death penalty.
• Drug Dealers: People who sell, distribute, and committing illegal drug
trafficking in a certain amount according to the existing law.
➢ Thus the whole definition is: “we support the death penalty for people who
sell, distribute, and commit illegal drug trafficking in a certain amount”.
 Debate Terminology (continued)

• Split

It is the division of arguments (reasons) in a team and it helps to

make a team organize.

The first speaker should provide an outline of the team case. It is important
that it is informative. Saying “I will talk about politics and economics, and my
second speaker will talk about health and children” does not inform the
adjudicator of much at all.
 Debate Terminology

• A good split for a first speaker:

“We will bring you four points in support of our side. First I am going to talk
about the harmful effects of smoking on people’s health, and second I am
going to address why second hand smoke is particularly harmful to children
given they often ingest second hand smoke without choosing to do so. My
second speaker is going to focus on the addictive nature of smoking, and
why many people are pressured into smoking and are then unable to quit
smoking despite wanting to.”

Note: the first speaker should not provide a split for the third speaker, as no new
material is going to be advanced at third speaker. It is not necessary to say that the third
speaker will do rebuttal – the adjudicator knows this already!
 Debate Terminology

A split is not just for the first speaker of each team. Every speaker should
provide a split or an overview of what their speech is going to cover. This
may appear like:

“First I will look at the main issues that have occurred so far in the debate,
including whether the state is legitimate in removing an individual’s freedom
to smoke, and also whether a ban in smoking will in fact reduce the harms
associated with consumption. Finally, I will advance one more point of
substantive about the emotional harms incurred by family members of
smokers.”
 Debate Terminology

• Argument

Argument is points of view (reasons) that support the team stance and it
must be logical and thoroughly explained.
 Debate Terminology

Argument Structure

Arguments provide structured flow of information and ideas that support

the speaker’s stance towards the motion.
An argument consists of four components:
1. Claim /Basic Statement (what your argument is about)
2. Logical Explanation of why and how the basic statement stands
3. Evidence/ examples that factually establish your basic statement
4. Link /Conclusion to wrap things up
 Debate Terminology

1. The claim: is the reason why a speaker embraces a certain stance, whether
supporting or rejecting the motion of debate. The claim is the cornerstone
of an argument.
2. Explanation: where the speaker elaborates on how the claim reflects on
the motion, and the details lurking within.
3. Evidence/Example: to support the idea and details of a claim, an evidence
is needed. There are two types of evidence: logical, and materialistic. A
logical evidence is a series of thoughts and notions in an order that ends
with the claim proved, while a materialistic evidence is one from reality in
the form of observations, statistics, or proven facts.
4. Link/Conclusion: to wrap things up by showing how the claim and its
evidence are valid and connected to the motion, in light of the speaker’s
stance
 Debate Terminology

In any argument, there is only one claim and explanation, but there
may be more than one evidence. The number of arguments
themselves does not matter as long as they fulfil the necessary
qualities (see below)
 Debate Terminology

DEVELOPING AN ARGUMENT

Basic Statement (what your argument is about)

Logical explanations of why and how the basic statement stands

Proofs/ evidences/ examples that factually establish your basic statement

Link/ Conclusion to wrap things up

 Debate Terminology
Example:
Motion: THBT capital punishment should be abandoned.
Side: Government
Claim: capital punishment is ineffective
Explanation: death does not prevent crimes or deter criminals from
committing crimes like killing. Death only affects those who committed the
crimes, while others are not deterred from committing similar crimes in the
future
Evidence/Example: people still commit killing in countries using death penalty
Link/Conclusion: Since death, as a punishment, does not prevent crimes, it
becomes an ineffective punishment, and should be abandoned as it fails to
serve its purpose in the protection of society
 Debate Terminology

Smoking should be banned because it is harmful to our health. Prolonged

smoking can damage our lung. When our lung is destroyed, we will die.
According to health reports from WHO in 2015, millions of people died
due to excessive smoking. Because of the fact that smoking links to death,
I strongly believe that smoking should be banned.
Debate Terminology
 Debate Terminology (continued)

• Rebuttal
Rebuttal is the criticizing the arguments presented by the other team.

What Should You Rebut?

This is a simple question with a simple answer. The goal of a debate is to

convince your audience that your side of the motion is true—that is, for your
case to defeat your opposition’s case. Therefore, you should rebut/refute
your opposition’s case—by rebutting any notion, assertion, argument,
example, statistic, or anything else that will contribute to the collapse of your
opposition’s case.
 Debate Terminology

Note:
1. To say that the other side is wrong is not enough.
2. Try to rebut the most important points of the other side's case.
3. Do not criticize the individual speakers, criticize what they say.

Preparing for Rebuttal

The best way to prepare for rebuttal is to consider the kinds of
arguments and examples that may arise, and then plan a general
response to those arguments and examples.
 Debate Terminology

Strategies and Techniques for Rebuttals

• There are several strategies or techniques for rebuttals and refutations

depending on the motion and the statements raised by the opposing team.
See the example below to learn some of these techniques.
Examples:
Motion: This house believes that education in private schools is better than public
schools.
Technique 1: Reduce the importance of the other team’s statement
Statement: Private schools offer healthier meals when compared to public schools.
Rebuttal: Whether or not this is actually the case, this feature has little or no
relevance in any assessment of the quality of education provision.
 Debate Terminology

Technique 2: Identify that a factual assertion is insufficient to prove a point

Statement: Private schools have luxurious buildings.
Rebuttal: This may be true, but it is insufficient to prove that education is
better in private schools.
Technique 3: Show an assertion to be false
Statement: Private schools offer scholarships to most of their students.
Rebuttal: This is not true; scholarships are only offered to high achievers.
Technique 4: Look out for generalizations
Statement: Private schools are always the top in all fields.
Rebuttal: This general assertion obscures the fact that public schools have
dominated in athletics for the last five years.
 Debate Terminology (continued)

• Matter
Matter is the content of the speech. It is the arguments a debater uses to
further his or her case and persuade the audience.

• Logic: Logical, rational, and convincing arguments/evidence/examples

• Relevance: Ideas/matters presented should
• Straightforward
• support the case
• refute the material presented by the opposition
• Consistency: Consistent within arguments/evidence
• Significance: Matters presented are significant for the case
 Debate Terminology

Matter

• Logic: Logical, rational, and convincing

arguments/evidence/examples
• Relevance: Ideas/matters presented should
• Straightforward
• support the case
• refute the material presented by the opposition
• Consistency: Consistent within arguments/evidence
• Significance: Matters presented are significant for the case
 Debate Terminology

• Manner

Manner is the presentation of the speech. It is the style and

structure a member uses to further his or her case and persuade the
audience.
• Language use: sentence structure, rhetorical devices, vocabulary & grammar
• Vocal style: clear pronunciation, tone, pitch, pauses, stresses & emotional
appeal
• Appropriate gestures & eye contact
 Debate Terminology

• Constructive speeches are speeches in which debaters introduce their

position and advocacy.
• Reply Speeches: The purpose of the Reply Speeches is to crystallize all
the arguments and show judges why her/his team has won the round.
It is important to remind the judges “exactly where his/her team
disagreed in this debate”, and then to prove why her/his team’s
arguments in those areas are superior. No new constructive
arguments may be presented.
 Debate Terminology

• Point of Information (POI) is the part of debating which is allowed speakers

the opportunity to offer a point to the speaker on the floor by asking the
questions.
• Case, or constructive – a set of reasons, supporting facts, and arguments
that shows why we should affirm or negate the resolution. Most debaters
type them up (or handwrite parts on the bus).
 Giving Introduction

✓Introductions are particularly important for both first speakers, who are able
to state what they believe the context is for the debate from the outset. Both
first speakers ideally try to paint an evocative picture and create momentum.
Motion: “This House would ban smoking”.

Good introduction for first speaker: A good introduction will introduce a key
idea or summary of the team line.
Example:

“Every year children across New Zealand suffer from health complications as a
direct result of second hand smoking. Children are, without choosing to do so,
ingesting harmful chemicals that will have detrimental consequences on their
health for the rest of their life. That is not something we are prepared to stand
for. We would ban smoking.”
Bad introductions: A speaker should never begin their speech by saying:

“Good afternoon and welcome to the adjudicator, members of the opposing

team and audience. My name is John and I am the first speaker from Aroha
High School and we strongly support the moot that this House would ban
smoking”.
 Chapter II

Debate Setup
 1- Group Creation

This contest is created for secondary students who study English at Milky Way
School and all students are divided into two groups. First group is for lower
secondary levels from both AFLE & PLE7, 8 and 9. And second group is for
secondary levels from both AFLE & PLE10, 11 and 12.

- Lower Secondary Group (Levels 7-9)

- Secondary Group (Levels 10-12)
2- Structure for Debate
 Structure for Debate
1. There are two teams in one group.
- Proposition team
- Opposition team
2. There are three speakers in each team.
- First speaker (Leader) will be responsible for Introduction and first argument.
- Second speaker (member) will be responsible for 2nd and 3rd arguments.
- Third speaker (member) will be responsible for conclusion and reply speech.
3. There are three judges to evaluate and mark the debaters.
- First judge (chief)
- Second judge (member)
- Third judge (member)
4. There is one moderator or MC to control and lead the debate.
5. There is one time controller to alert the time for speakers during the competition.
3-Debate Room Setup
 4- Debate Room Setup

2nd
1st
3rd

Podium Opposition
Proposition

2nd 1st 3rd

Judges
 5- Flow of Debate and Roles of Speakers

The debate starts with the first speaker of the proposition team up to the
third speaker of the opposition team. Each speaker has five minutes to
deliver the speech and three minutes for point of information.
1. The first speaker on the proposition team has five minutes to give
introduction, define the topic, present the proposition’s team split (what each
speaker will be responsible for), and present the 1st of proposition team’s
argument.

• Point of Information (POI): After the first speaker on the proposition team
finishes the speech, it is time for POI made by the opposition team. The
opposition team has to ask the first speaker of the proposition team two
questions. The time for POI is three minutes and only two questions are
allowed.
2. The first speaker on the opposition team has five minutes to accept or reject the
definition (If you don't do this, it is assumed that you accept the definition), give
introduction, define the topic, outline briefly what each of the opposition speakers
will say, rebut a few of the main points of the first proposition speaker, and present
the first of the opposition team's argument. The first speaker on opposition team
should spend about one quarter (25%) of their time rebutting.

• Point of Information (POI): After the first speaker on the opposition team finishes the
speech, it is time for POI made by the proposition team. The proposition team has to
ask the first speaker on the opposition team two questions. The time for POI is three
minutes and only two questions are allowed.
3. The second speaker on the proposition team has five minutes to rebut the
main points presented by the first speaker on opposition, and present the
second and third of the proposition team’s arguments. The second speaker
on proposition team should spend about one third (33%) of their time
rebutting.
• Point of Information (POI): After the second speaker on the proposition
team finishes the speech, it is time for POI made by the opposition team.
The opposition team has to ask the second speaker on the proposition
team two questions. The time for POI is three minutes and only two
questions are allowed.
4. The second speaker on the opposition team has five minutes to rebut some
of the main points of the opposition's case, present the 2nd and 3rd of the
Opposition team’s arguments. The second speaker on the opposition team
should spend about one third (33%) of their time rebutting.

• Point of Information (POI): After the second speaker on the opposition team
finishes the speech, it is time for POI made by the proposition team. The
proposition team has to ask the second speaker on the opposition team two
questions. The time for POI is three minutes and only two questions are
allowed.
5. The third speaker on the proposition team has five minutes to rebut all the
remaining points of the opposition's case, present a conclusion, and do a reply
speech.

6. The third speaker on the opposition team has five minutes to rebut all the
remaining points of the proposition's case, present a conclusion, and do a reply
speech.
All debaters must follow and respect the flow of speeches and their roles as shown in the below table.
6- Judging Criteria
 Judging Criteria
How will each speaker be assessed?
✓Each speaker will be assessed with the following:
• Constructive Speech (100 points):
• Matter 40%: what you present (i.e. the content)
• Manner 40%: how you present (i.e. the style)
• Method 20%: organization / structure of your presentation

• Conclusion and Reply Speech (100 points):

• Language: 20%
• Relevance: 20%
• Logical reasoning: 20%
 Ten Tips on Winning a debate
1. Don’t read like a script: if you do, you’ve lost it — the attention of the judges as
well as the audience. In addition, it shows you have not prepared well.
2. Be ready, don’t worry: If you cannot control yourself due to over-worrying, it will
make you breathe abnormally with a shaky voice which are giveaways in body
language.
3. Don’t use overly-technical words: Bear in mind that you are presenting your
speech to different types in the audience. Meaning, not everyone in the room can
understand the technical words you found in your research. Avoiding the use of
technical words is a winning tip — to make people understand what you are
saying.
4. Reliable references: Don’t quote from newspapers to avoid inaccurate data and
information. The candidate will fare better to find an original source and use it as
reference. Hence, you can use (quote or paraphrase) speech from high ranking
officials and government policy, which is more reliable.
5. Understanding the topic: A crucial starting point of the debate war is to
comprehend the topic well. And it is where you can start doing research for
the topic given.
6. Understanding the opposition party: It’s more on your soft skill experience
on how to understand people. Once, you understand them, you will be able
to predict or anticipate what they will say in the debate.
7. Choosing the example: If you happen to compare one thing with another,
you better choose a similar condition. For example: It’s reasonable to
compare Cambodia’s economy to neighbouring countries like Vietnam and
Thailand. However, this case can be changed due to the topic presented for
debate.
8. Know how to refute: Debating is not about presenting your evidence only.
It’s about listening to the other party and take note on what they are
saying, to rebut. If you catch them straying or say something wrong, it’s
your chance to kill them off.
9. Prediction and create a different scenario: before going to the real
debate, you and teammates should try to predict what will happen
during the debate. Be ready to deliver quick response to your
opposition party, by creating (simulating) different scenarios for
retort in pros and cons, is diligent preparation.
10. Teamwork: Good teamwork means that every member of your team is
be able to share concrete evidence to prove your contention on the topic
during debating. How well you can work with your team can captivate
attention from the judges for a good rating.

Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50669403/10-tips-on-winning-a-debate/
7-Debate Rules
 Debate Rules
• The speakers have to wear the school uniform or white shirt with black trousers / skirt for part-time
students.
• There are two teams for the debate. Each team will be designated either Proposition or Opposition
team.
• Each team consists of three speakers.
• The debate starts with the first speaker on the proposition team up to the third speaker on the
opposition team.
• There are three arguments for each team.
• Each speaker from both teams has five minutes to deliver the speech.
• The speakers have to follow the Roles of the Speakers in the debate guideline.
• The speakers have to follow the Speaking Order.
• The first and the second speakers on each team will be asked two questions when they have finished
their speeches.
• There are three minutes for making two points of information. One minute to answer a question and
one question should be no longer than 30 seconds.
• The moderator /timekeeper will keep speakers informed of the elapse of time by Bell rings.
- 1st Bell rings 1 time = 1 minute left.
- 2nd Bell rings 2 times = Time’s up
• The moderator is eligible to interrupt the speaker when the time is over.
 Chapter III
Processes of Selecting Winning Team
1- Class Competition
This competition is organized by class teacher, head teacher and CP/ KD at the
respective campuses to select SIX outstanding students for the Lower
Secondary Group and SIX outstanding students for the Secondary Group to join
the Campus Competition.
Group Category Selected Students
Lower Secondary AFLE7, PLE7, AFLE8, PLE8, AFLE9, PLE9 6
Secondary AFLE10, PLE10, AFLE11, PLE11, AFLE12, PLE12 6
 2- Campus Competition

The competition is organized by Head Teacher, Campus Principal

and Kindergarten Director at the respective campuses in order to
select one team from each group to join the Semi-Final School
Competition.
 3- Semi-final Competition

It is organized by English Education Department at HQ2 (Training Center)

or at a selected campus in order to select the top two teams from the
lower secondary group and the top two teams from the secondary group
to join the Final School Competition.
 4- Final Competition

It is organized by English Education Department at HQ2 (Training

Center) or at a selected campus in order to select one winning team
from the lower secondary group and one winning team from the
secondary group.
 5- Participants for Annual Awarding Event

For this event, the two teams of Lower Secondary Group and Secondary
Group in the Final School Competition are invited to attend the Annual
Awarding Event. A number of parents and class teachers who are invited
to attend this event are equal to the number of the debaters.
 Practice

Motion: This House believes that violence in media causes violence in society.

Please write the 1st speaker’s speech.

 II. Monthly Class Debate

Please read the Guideline for Monthly Class Debate!

Thank you!