DEBATE 101 Cavite National Science High School s English Festival 2012 January 20, 2012

HISTORY Protagoras of Abdoras from the Ancient Greece (481 411 BC), the Father of Debate would organize argumentative contests among his pupils by inventing themes that they could oppose or defend. During the Classical and Medieval Ages, Latin was the language used in such debates. Greek and Roman students were trained through dialectic (debate by question and answer) . First recorded intercollegiate argumentative contest was between England s Cambridge and Oxford in the early 1400 s. Oxford University today has the oldest and arguably the most prestigious debate society in the world known as Oxford Union Society. Another milestone in the world of debating is the Harvard Yale match which began intercollegiate debating in the United States. These early competitions lasted for two hours with prepared and memorized speeches but ended with no formal winner. In the Philippines Balagtasan is indeed a unique form of debate with the speeches done on the spot in rhyming verse. It was during the American occupation that Forensic Debating also known as Oregon Oxford format was introduced in our country. This format flourished in the golden age of Debate in the Philippines during 1950 s and 1960 s. The NATIONAL Collegiate Forensic Language (NACFOL), formed in 1962, was the first organization to foster inter school debate tournaments in the country not until 1972 when Martial Law was declared. In 1986, NACFOL was revived and renamed as the National Collegiate Debate League (NCDL). In the 1990 s NCDL had its counterpart known as the Philippine Parliamentary Debate Union (PPDU) when Filipino Debater came to know about Parliamentary Debating. Page 1

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Four Universities in the Philippines became powerhouse in Asian Debating namely: Ateneo De Manila University De La Salle University University of the Philippines University of Sto. Tomas

Basics of Debate Debate is A formal , direct, oral contest in argumentation between two or more teams on a definite issue at a set time. According to J. Jeffrey Auer, debate should have five elements: 1. a confrontation 2. in equal and adequate time 3. of matched contestants 4. on a stated proposition 5. to gain decision

Purpose of Debate Debate as a MEANS FOR CHANGE; Debate as ADVOCACY; Debate as an EDUCATIONAL TOOL.

Benefits of Debate Important Skills Learned: 1. Leadership Skills 2. Analysis 3. Critical Thinking 4. Open - Mindedness Omanpaulantiojo01202012 Page 2

5. Thinking on Your Feet 6. Organization 7. Listening 8. Self Confidence 9. Team work and Cooperation

3 M s of Debate Matter Manner Method How is the debate organized? How things are said? What is said?

FORMATS OF DEBATE Lincoln Douglas Debate Rebuttal Debate Moot Court Cross Examination Debate / Forensic Debate / Oxford Oregon Debate Parliamentary Debate Asians and Australasians British Parliamentary

Parliamentary Debate Parliamentary debate is patterned after the discussion and debate procedures used in British Parliament; Page 3

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It discusses a wide variety of issues; It involves a lot of rhetoric and humor; Debaters are given the freedom to express themselves in any way they deem necessary. It encourages debaters to deliver their speeches in a conversational manner and put emphasis on speeches understandable to the Average Reasonable Person; Debaters are expected to possess breadth of knowledge, quick wit, clear and straight to the point arguments, logical analysis, and common sense.

Team Roles (Parliamentary Debate) Government Opposition

>gives reasonably debatable definition to the given >clash with the case forwarded by the Government motion at a level understandable to the Average and to present a case that will discredit the reasonable person. Government's arguments.

>if the Opposition decides to challenge the >it is the duty of the Government to define the definition of the Government, it must come up motion in such a way that the Opposition is given with an alternative definition and then negate it, ample space to promote a reasonable clash. followed by a case based on this negation.

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>it is the duty of the Opposition to rebut the case of the Government. However, it is not solely focused on the rebuttal of cases to be presented >forwards a case that will be faithful to the spirit of by the Government, it must present a substantial the motion, and to rebut the case presented to the case of its own that will clash with the House by the Opposition. Government.

Speaker Roles (Parliamentary Debate) The Government Prime Minister (PM) Give a reasonable definition to the motion understandable to the Average Person and avoid truistic, tautological, squirreled, self serving, and time place definitions; Link the definition to a debatable topic whether it be a contemporary or philosophical issue; Give the theme of the case and identify the track along which the Government will tackle its case; Give the team split and raise any necessary disclaimers to certain points that may prove as hindrances to the proper understanding of the case forwarded by the Government; Argue and prove his side of the case by giving one or two arguments, several examples to prove the argument/s and sufficient analysis focused on why the arguments and examples prove the Theme; Summarize his split in one or two substantive sentences; Signpost the second speaker to prepare the adjudicators for the second half of their case.

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The Opposition Leader of the Opposition (LO) Raise the necessary questions that arise out of the definition, the parameters, and the Split; Rebut the arguments forwarded by the PM; Negate the case of the Government; Set up the Opposition s case by giving the Theme, explaining the method by which the case will be proven, and stating the necessary disclaimers that will be useful in the opposition s attack; State the Split; Argue and prove his side of the case by giving one or two arguments, several examples to back up the argument/s, and a substantial analysis of why the arguments and examples prove the Theme; Summarize his own case in one or two substantive sentences; Signpost his second speaker to prepare the adjudicators for the second half of the case. Summarize his case through one or two substantive sentences; Signpost the PM again and close the Government s case by showing how both his speech and that of the PM prove their Theme.

The Government Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Rebuild the case of the Government in case of damage caused by the LO s questioning and rebuttal; Rebut the arguments forwarded by the LO; Remind the house of the Government s Theme by restating it and further explaining it; Build his part of the case by presenting two or three arguments, several examples to prove the arguments and analysis to show how the arguments and examples lead back to the Theme;

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The Opposition Deputy Leader of the Opposition (DLO) Rebuild the case of the LO in case of damage caused by the DPM s case and rebuttal; Rebut the arguments presented by the DPM; Build his part of the case by presenting two or three arguments, several examples to prove the arguments and analysis to show how the arguments and examples lead back to the Theme; Summarize his case through one or two substantive sentences; Signpost the LO again and close the Opposition s case by showing how both his speech and that of the LO prove their Theme.

Rebuttal Speakers (RS) Give a point by point rebuttal of each speech made by the opposing side, or a thematic rebuttal of the other team s case; Make sure that the premises which serve as the foundation of the other side s case are adequately dissected and invalidated; Rebuild his side s case by reiterating every major point and providing fresh examples to further prove their arguments; And provide closure to the debate.

The Whips* *exists exclusively in the British Parliamentary Debate Format Fundamentally no difference from the duties of the RS except that more time is alloted for signposting the speech of the Member of the Government / Opposition; Role is to demolish the case of the opposing team in much the same way the rebuttal speaker does it.

Reply Speakers Members of the Government and the Opposition Page 7

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Malaya, Jonathan and Uychoco, Arnell. Hit the Podium!. Rex Bookstore http://www.scribd.com Oman Paul Antiojo

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