Oregon-Oxford Debating

 History of Debate
 Objectives
 The Resolution
 Research
 Case-building
 Parts of the Debate
 Speaker Roles
 The Constructive Speech

Debate during the Olden Days

 It was in 5th Century B.C. in Syracuse a city from Ancient Greece has
gone through war and revolution. People struggled for peace and order.
A particular concern for them was land ownership for lands were
claimed through memory.

What is Debate?

 Debate is basically a response to a problem. It is a competition using

words and logic. It is to change people’s minds and actions through our
words and power of conviction.
Objectives of Debate

Main Objective
* To resolve the issue intelligently at the end of the debate
Specific Objectives
* To have a comprehensive grasp of issues
* To be able to prepare a case which tackles the P, N and B.

The Resolution

• Stated as: Let it be resolved that (LIBRT):______________.

• Characteristics:
* Usually about a policy.
* Stated in a way that alters the status quo.
* Positively-stated.
Research

Research first before case-building

The team should research before building their case if the issue is new and is
still developing.
Case-building before research
The team should build their case first before undergoing research when the
issue has already been widely discussed and debated.

Case-building

BURDEN OF EACH TEAM

Affirmative – Burden of Proof

 Must establish a prima facie case
 Must prove all aspects of their case to win
 Cannot win based on the inability of the negative to prove its case.

Negative – Burden of Rebuttal

 Must destroy either the P, N, or B of the affirmative’s case
 Can not discuss anything that the affirmative did not bring up

ASPECTS OF THE CASE

Practicability – feasibility of a proposition, includes matter of:

*law
*clamor
*finance

Necessity – need for the proposition, discusses the presence or absence of an

inherent flaw in the status quo.

Beneficiality – advantages or disadvantages of adopting or rejecting the resolution,

includes;
* specific beneficiaries
*specific benefits

Parts of the Debate

Constructive Speech
The presentation of each team member’s arguments and evidence for each
aspect of the case – 5 minutes each
  Interpellation
The opportunity for each debater to ask and answer questions regarding
their speeches - 3 minutes
 Rebuttal
The summary and defense of each team’s arguments and evidence, to be
delivered by either the scribe or the team captain – 6 minutes

Speaker Roles
3 Speakers
Practicability speaker
Necessity Speaker
Beneficiality
 1 Scribe

1st Speaker (Affirmative Side)

I. Introduction
II. State the proposition
A. Define the terms
B. Give the status quo
1. What is the status quo?
2. What is wrong with it?
C. State your stand
IV. Team Split
V. Caseline
A. State all your arguments first
B. Go back, then strengthen each one
C. Always give transition. You could repeat the argument after your
explanation.

VI. Conclusion

1st Speaker (Negative Side)

I. Introduction
II. State the proposition of the affirmative
A. Negate/show the clash with the
given proposition
III. Rebut the 1st speaker of the affirm.’s arguments
IV. Caseline (same as the 1st spkr-aff)
V. Conclusion (same as the 1st spkr-aff)
Rebuttal Speaker (Affirmative and Negative)
I. Introduction
II. State the proposition
A. What has happened in this debate?
B. Where was the clash?

I. Rebuttal of the Opposing team

A. What have they said?
B. Why is it wrong?
C. Fallacies committed

I. Summary
A. Restate all the arguments of each speaker
1. What have they said?
2. Why is it right?
B. Strengthen arguments by giving more examples or
elaboration.
C. Conclusion