This is a summary of many sites I found about how to debate as well as parts of my own experience debating throughout high school.
The object of each team, the affirmative (government) and the negative (opposition) alike, is to convince the audience that they have the most persuasive argument. To win the debate certain rules must be complied with and the Adjudicator (or judge) will take this into account in addition to the soundness of argument and skill in presentation.
Debating should be fun. It should be approached by accepting the challenge to persuade an audience of unbiased onlookers. It is an excellent way of improving speaking skills and is particularly helpful in providing experience in developing a convincing argument.
Activities – 1)List other activities that require you to make an argument
2) Using a dictionary, define; affirmative, negative, argument,
audience, convince, rebuttal
What is Involved in a Debate?
The things needed for a successful debate are people to debate, a debating topic, an adjudicator (judge) and an audience.
There are three people on the affirmative team and three people on the negative team.
The teams each need to decide on the speaking order for their speakers, the team strategy and the allocation of subject matter to each speaker (who is going to talk about what).
Speakers' Roles
General
Each speaker is required to face the audience, recognise the Chairperson and then address the audience - speakers should avoid addressing the presentation to the opposing team, it is the audience and adjudicators that they should be seeking to persuade.
Speakers should open with a strong sentence to gain audience attention. The address should have clearly recognisable points that should be strongly summarised. Speakers need to finish within the allocated time as judges will not take into account any points made after the time has expired.
The roles of the individual speakers are summarised as follows:
1. Leader of Affirmative
A. Define the meaning of the moot clearly and precisely. The definition should be one which will meet with general acceptance. This avoids having the debate degenerate (breaking down) into one on the meaning of the topic rather than on the arguments presented by the two teams.
B. Give a general outline of the team's case and indicate the aspects of the subject to be discussed by each of the team members.
E.g.: "We are affirming the proposition that marriage leads to divorce. As leader I shall show that only married people become divorced. My second speaker will indicate the reasons for this. And my third speaker will show that single people are free from the problems that lead to divorce.'
C. Develop the introductory arguments for the side - this should represent some 60% of the address.
D. Summarise.
2. Leader of Negative
A. Consider the definition given by the leader of the affirmative. If it is fair and reasonable it should be accepted - it will be difficult to create a viable alternative to a reasonable definition put forward by the affirmative. Remember, it is the topic which is to be debated, not the definition. However, if the affirmative definition is selective and unreasonable it is possible to appeal to reason and seek to have the subject debated on what would be generally understood by the wording of the topic.
B. Outline the team's case and the allocation of each speaker's role.
C. Rebut (argue against) any major points put up by the leader of the affirmative which can be effectively countered.
D. Be sure to introduce points that support the negative case.
E. Summarise.
3. Second Affirmative
A. Re-emphasise major point of your leader.
B. Develop major points of team's case - this is the major role of the second speaker and should occupy 75% of the speaking time.
C. Rebut any major points put up by the leader of the negative that can be effectively countered.
D. Summarise
4. Second Negative
A. Develop rebuttal of previous two affirmative speakers (up to 50% of speaking time).
B. Add arguments supporting negative view.
C. Support own leader's case. summarise.
5. Third Affirmative
A. Develop rebuttal of previews two negative speakers (a: least 50% of speaking time).
B. Add final arguments supporting affirmative case.
C. Support previous affirmative speakers.
D. Summarise.
6. Third Negative
A. Develop rebuttal of all affirmative speakers arguments (70% of speaking time). Effectively destroy affirmative arguments.
B. Add final arguments supporting negative case.
C. Summarise.
7. Affirmative Leader's Reply
A. Rebut any major points of negative third speaker and leader's reply.
B. Convincingly summarise own team's arguments - no new material allowable.
C. Forcefully summarise previous rebuttal of negative case - no new material allowable.
D. Persuasive conclusion to convince audience of superiority of affirmative ease.
8. Negative Leader's Reply
A. Convincing summary of own team's case - no new material allowable.
B. Forceful summary of rebuttal already presented - no new material allowable.
C. Persuasive conclusion to convince audience of superiority of negative case.
Note : In most high school debates there is no 'reply' after the third speakers have had their speeches.
Debating Speeches
Teams must attack as well as rebut. Teams need to engage in argument and counter-argument on the subject under discussion.
Humour can appeal if relevant and will maintain audience interest in the argument being presented.
Rebuttal should be soundly based and effectively counter the opposing argument, but unsupported rebuttal will not be effective.
Delivery
Stance & Appearance
Clothing and grooming are important in that they convey strong impressions upon the audience. Distracting mannerisms will reduce the effectiveness of the presentation.
Voice
Speakers must be heard - attention must be paid to the site of the hall and surroundings. Pronunciation and articulation are important to ensure the speaker is understood. A monotonous tone quickly bores an audience and, as a result, the speech will lose impact.
Gesture
Movement of arms, body, face and hands for emphasis can add dramatically to the presentation but meaningless, nervous and repetitive gestures should be avoided.
Persuasion
Both material and method combine to influence an audience. Appearance, enthusiasm, humour, personality and sincerity all contribute to the persuasiveness of a speaker. The speaker needs to be fully understood throughout the entire presentation to achieve a persuasive result. Anecdotes, emphasis and repetition all combine to help get the message across. Rhetorical questions are dangerous as they invite hostile interjections.
Construction
As in all speeches, there needs to be a structure with:
an arresting opening to gain the audiences attention;
the body of the speech containing:
the speakers points of argument,
rebuttal of the opposing argument where appropriate; ·
a strong, positive peroration (or conclusion; which summarises the whole presentation.
Team Work
The speakers for each team must combine to present a cohesive argument. Any material which contradicts a previous speaker of the same side helps destroy the team argument. Each speaker should cover the general area allocated by the leader in his introduction. Marks allocated for team work can help swing the debate in favour of the well organised team and win the debate for them.
Preparation for the Debate
Debaters must;
Review your case: Can it be summarized in on sentence? Do the arguments actually support the case statement? Is there any contradiction? Know your opposition: What are their strengths? What are their weaknesses?
Brainstorming
This involves a group of people getting together to discuss a motion and come up with ideas. The group meets in a room and trash out the various issues involved from a definition and line to examples and the other sides possible strategy. One member writes down all the ideas and this is best done on a blackboard so a tutorial room is sometimes used.
Case Building
The first step in case-building is to determine the sense or spirit of the resolution. This is done by understanding the general thrust of the resolution or by defining the key phrases of a resolution.
The second stage of case-building is defining terms. At this point you should be able to define your case in one sentence. This fulfills the key components of case-building: it expresses the spirit of the resolution, is a normative statement and provides a clear definition of what the government team is proposing. Of course this statement will be elaborated upon to clarify all details, but the objectives are clear.
During the debate
First and foremost: take notes! Judging a debate is rather like going to lecture, and at the end of it all you're going to want to refer back to something to give you a sense of what just happened. It will also reassure those whom you are judging that you are following every pearl of wisdom that they produce with all due diligence and care. Any method that makes sense to you is beneficial but point form is useful.
TOPICS
THAT advertising is necessary
THAT America is an evil empire
THAT attendance at school should be voluntary
THAT Barbie should be banned
THAT beauty is skin deep
THAT capital punishment should be reintroduced for specific offences
THAT Coke is the symbol of our age
THAT equality is a myth
THAT euthanasia is a human right
THAT life is easier for men
THAT Marge is a good role model for women
THAT men are unfair to women
THAT modern advertising creates unrealistic expectations
THAT money is corrupting sports
THAT parents should pay for the crimes of their children
THAT people are the play-things of the media
THAT science is a menace
THAT society is sick
THAT sport has become an obsession
THAT television is a destructive influence
THAT television is a drug
THAT television is a good influence on the home
THAT television is manipulating our lives
THAT television is the opiate of the masses
THAT the car is a curse
THAT video games are a waste of time
THAT women get the attention they deserve
THAT common sense is uncommon
THAT fashion is tyranny
THAT it is better to be a follower than a leader
THAT it is better to be second
THAT justice is a myth
THAT knowledge is power
THAT the media have a positive influence on us
THAT celebrities are good role models
THAT women can do anything that men do
THAT smoking should be banned in nightclubs