DEBATE

English Conversation by ADINDA AGUSTIAN

MOTION
Topic is called THE MOTION and is expressed in the format: THIS HOUSE followed by statement of belief/will. Example: This House Will Endorse Free Trade This House Believe that Celebrities Should Not Be Role Models Contestants DO NOT choose the side the debate they are on. Often, this will lead to speaking in things you don't believe in. Competitors gather 15 minutes before the debate for the draw before each round.

Important Skills Learned

Leadership skill Analysis Critical thinking Open-mindedness Self confidence Team work and cooperation

PARTICIPANTS
1. Contestants o Proposition Team/Individual o Opposition Team/Individual 2. Chairman/moderator 3. Adjudicators/judges 4. Timekeeper

RULES
A. TIMES
Speeches should be 7 minutes in duration. (but it depends on the rules) Speakers exceeding this time may be penalized. A bell will be rung after the expiration of 1 minute and 6 minutes. The first and last minutes are protected time, the speaker is allowed to begin and end his speech without interruption.

RULES
B. POINTS OF INFORMATION
Points of Information (PoI) basically involves ripping the opposing sides argument part and exposing its weak point. This is the most obvious distinction between debating and public speaking
PoI may be only offered after the expiration 1 minute and generally be not more 15 minutes in duration. To ask a PoI member place one hand on his head and say PoI.

RULES
B. POINTS OF INFORMATION
The member who is speaking may accept or decline to answer PoI. Members should attempt to answer at least 2 PoI during their speech. Once you have accepted a PoI you cant just ignore it and carry on. A member who fails to accept any PoI will lose marks for strategy.

RULES
C. SPEAKING ORDER
Since teams take turns debating, it's always possible to offer rebuttals unless you are the first affirmative speaker. Here is a rundown of how both teams might organize their debate strategy:

RULES
1a) 1st Affirmative
Define the topic (optional) and present the team's main line. Outline, in brief, what each affirmative speaker will talk about. Present the first half of the affirmative's argument.

1b) 1st Negative

Accept or reject the definition (optional) and present the team's main line. Outline, in brief, what each affirmative speaker will talk about. Offer a rebuttal of a few of the points presented by the first affirmative. Present the first half of the negative's argument.

RULES
2a) 2nd Affirmative:
Reaffirm the affirmative's main line. Offer a rebuttal of a few of the points presented by the first negative. Present the second half of the affirmative's argument.

2b) 2nd Negative:

Reaffirm the negative's main line. Offer a rebuttal of a few of the points presented by the second affirmative. Present the second half of the negative's argument.

RULES
3a) 3rd Affirmative
Reaffirm the affirmative's main line. Offer a rebuttal of any of the remaining negative's arguments. Offer a summary of the affirmative's case. Conclude debate for the affirmative team.

3b) 3rd Negative

Reaffirm the negative's main line. Offer a rebuttal of any of the remaining affirmative's arguments. Offer a summary of the negative's case. Conclude debate for the negative team.

REBUTTAL TIPS
AFFIRMATIVE CASE PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTION EFFECT
There is a problem This is the cause Here is our solution And its effect

NEGATIVE CASE*
The problem doesnt exist That is not the right cause The solution isnt workable It wont have those effects

* Negative/Opp case doesnt have to attack each area usually just one will do.

WHAT ARE BEING JUDGED?

A. MATTER
Matter is the context of the speech. It includes arguments, reasoning, examples, case studies and facts to persuade the audiences.
Arguments should be developed logically in order to be clear. good speech has a clear beginning, middle and end. Matter includes the PoI. The conclusion of all arguments should support the member case. Matter should be asessed from the viewpoint of average reasonable person (be not judged from expertises viewpoint). A

WHAT ARE BEING JUDGED?

B. MANNER
Eye contact. How well does the speaker engage his or her audience? Does the speaker spend too much time on his or her cue cards? Voice. How well does the speaker's voice accentuate his or her argument? Does he or she offer a diversity of volume, pitch and speed to highlight important parts? Body language. How well does the speaker use his or her body to emphasize arguments and communicate authority and calmness? Nervous habits. Does the speaker stammer, fidget, or pace? Do not attack the person attack the arguments. Team may receive zero point if the member has harrassed another debater.

WHAT ARE BEING JUDGED?

C. METHOD
Team cohesion. How well does the entire team organize their arguments and rebuttals? How well do the individual arguments mesh together, as well as the rebuttals? How clear and consistent is the team line? Individual competency. How well does the individual stand out as he or she speaks? How clearly does he or she mark the end of one argument and the beginning of another?

HOW TO WIN A DEBATE

A. PRE-DEBATE
Read books, newspapers, journals relating to current affairs. 15 minutes is not enough time to prepare high quality speeches. 15 minutes ideally used to structure and divide speeches between you and your partner. Attempt to predict what your opponent are going to say and plan your response to that. NEVER, ever walk into a debate with a partner and says just back me up. If you have a good point, you should tell your partner, the argument is delivered in the wrong place is marked down.

HOW TO WIN A DEBATE

B. ON DEBATE
Do not giving too much time to rebuttal and not enough time to substantive material. If you promise a point you must give it. Youll be marked as individual and team as well, your mark as individual can increase or decrease if there is any significant differences between the speakers contribution and the debate through PoI. Debating is a team game, and like any other game it has rules. Theres no point blaming your partner you lose as a team. Plenty of knowledgeable people lose to people entirely ignorant about the issue.

Every time you have to speak, you are auditioning for leadership. James Humes