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arguments for a debate

1. Explore what a debate is

2. Interconnect:
 Opinion
 Persuasion
 Argument(ation)

3. Formulate a substantial
(debate/argumentative)
essay.
“Do not raise your voice, improve your argument.”

- Desmond Tutu
 ?
-organized argument or contest of ideas in which
the participants discuss a topic from two opposing
sides.
- intellectual sport
Matter Manner Method
 What is an opinion?

- A person’s viewpoint.

- Someone’s judgement
towards a matter.

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 What is persuasion?

-the act of causing people to

do or believe something

- presenting arguments to
move, motivate, or change
your audience

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 What is an
argument?

- an exchange of
diverging or opposite
views
- a reason or set of
reasons given in
support of an idea,
action or theory
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“Amat Victoria Curam.”

—Gaius Victorius Catullus

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What constitutes a good
argument?
Can be supported with
factual evidence.
May suggest multiple
perspectives and stances.
Interests the arguer.
 Elements of a Convincing Argument
Authoritative voice, “Ethos”
-Draw from expertise of other credible theorists,
or may draw from personal experience
Appeal to reason, “Logos”
-The reader is lead to agree with you because
conclusions/implications follow reasonably from
premises
Appeal to audience, “Pathos”
-Often misunderstood as a purely emotional
appeal.
 1
-Begin with a great opening
line.

X Facts are completely

separate from emotions.

-You should be aiming to

make your audience and your
adjudicator sit up a little
straighter in their chairs. 15 15
 2
-Make the subject that
you're talking about
crystal-clear to your
listeners.

-State your topic and your

team's position on the
topic.

-Define any key words in

your topic. 16
 3
Signposting
- completely and totally
necessary in the structure
of a good debate.
- simple and effective way
to remind your listener of
what you're talking about
and where you're up to in
your speech. great tool
for showing context 17
 4
Rebuttal

“The best offence is a good

defence.”

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5
Your Argument
Deciding What to
Argue:
Research.
Read news articles
and opinion
pieces.
Right arguments
will jump out.

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Providing Evidence:
-Inserting the right evidence
into your debate makes you
more credible.
-Make sure that it's a recent
fact or figure.
-Make sure that the evidence
is backed up by at least three
or more sources.
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 Persuade
-Using humour, metaphors,
and appeals to logic
will greatly persuade the
adjudicators.
-Be as colourful in a debate
as you would be in
a written persuasive piece.
-Keep things respectful-
don't insult your opponents
and don't use humour where
it's not appropriate.
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“

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 THANK YOU

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