Debating an overview
- 2. Debate or Persuasive Speech? Debate: An argument between 2 groups: AFFIRMATIVE and NEGATIVE The groups present and argue over opposite viewpoints of a motion in a formal way. There are rules to follow which provide an equal opportunity for each side to win.
- 3. Persuasive speech: A speech that aims to change the values, beliefs and attitudes of the audience. In most cases, it is one person trying to convince others to accept a different idea or to think about doing something they were unwilling to do before. This has a more personal style of presentation.
- 4. Affirmative Team (Proposition / Propositional side) First / Opening speaker Second speaker Third / Closing speaker
- 5. Negative Team (Opposition / Oppositional side) First / Opening speaker Second speaker Third / Closing speaker
- 6. Procedure of a Debate Introduction: oThe Chairperson introduces the motion and the teams. oHe/she explains the rules, the timing system and calls each speaker when it is their turn to speak.
- 7. Main speeches (in a set order) 1. First speaker, Affirmative 2. First speaker, Negative 3. Second speaker, Affirmative 4. Second speaker, Negative 5. Third speaker, Affirmative 6. Third speaker, Negative
- 8. Results o The adjudicators consider the verdict. o They give some feedback to their teams about their performance and explain how they reached their decision about the winner. o They announce the result of the debate.
- 9. Responsibilities of each speaker 1st Speaker I have to say if My responsibility our team accepts is to define the the definition and motion. to provide and alternative if necessary. We both have to: •introduce our team’s cases. •outline the main arguments to be put forward by our teams. •inform the audience which areas of the topic will be covered by different speakers in our teams. •begin to develop the team’s arguments, usually by focusing on the most important one.
- 10. 2nd Speaker We both have to: •develop strong arguments with explanations and examples which support and develop our own team’s line. •provide the first rebuttal
- 11. 3rd Speaker Today’s Today’s motion must motion must fall! stand! We both have to: •give some final rebuttals •summarise our team’s main arguments, especially those that haven’t been rebutted restate the team’s stance on the motion. •remind the adjudicators that our team rebutted the arguments of our opponents. •restate the team stance on the motion.
- 12. Motions Types of motions Judgement Motion A motion that compares two opposite beliefs/views. “Economic development is more important than heritage conservation.” Change motion A motion that indicates a kind of policy or action needs to occur in order to solve a problem. “Smoking should be banned in all public places.”
- 13. Arguments A speaker in a debate makes an argument: a. which is a set of reasons to show that his/her team’s case is correct and worth believing. b. which must contain some supporting facts. c. which must be supported by reasoning and evidence/examples.
- 14. Rebuttals A rebuttal is a reply speech in which you attack the arguments that your opponents have presented. There are 2 steps to follow: a. Briefly point out what the other team said; and then point out why they are wrong / worse / illogical / unreasonable. b. Briefly repeat the main argument of your team and explain why you are right / better / logical / more reasonable.