DebateGuide.ppt

ALWAYS REMEMBER

Speakers are not born, they are made.

Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

Cultivates quick and multi-dimensional, logical thinking.Enhances the ability to develop reasoned opinions.Gives a better understanding of the current events and the world around us.Improves self-confidence, speaking style and command of language.Enriches your overall leadership qualities.

BENEFITS OF DEBATINGSpeech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

Good knowledge of current issues.Ability to generate ideas.Ability to think critically and logically.Ability to present the ideas systematically.Ability to handle culturally diverse and challenging situations with great ease and to ones their (own) enjoyment.

Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUMGOOD DEBATERS POSSESS

DIFFERENT FORMATS OF DEBATESParliamentary & Non-parliamentaryParliamentary debates allow Points of Information (POI) while Non-Parliamentary debates do not. Malaysian Conventional3 members to a teamTopics given in advancePOIs not allowedAmerican Parliamentary2 members to a teamPOIs are allowed


DIFFERENT FORMATS OF DEBATESRoyal Malaysian/ Asian3 members to a teamPOIS are allowed. British Parliamentary (World Debates)2 member to team and 4 teams in a debatePOIs are allowed

Opening Gov.Opening Opp.Closing Opp.Speaker/ChairpersonAudienceSet up in a British Parliamentary Format of DebateClosing Gov.Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

A DEBATE IS JUDGED ON THE BASIS OF:1. Matter:What you present (i.e. the content)2. Manner:How you present (i.e. the style) 3. Method:Organisation/ structure of your presentationSpeech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

ELEMENTS OF MATTER

1. Definitions:- Set up of the debate

2. Arguments:- Must be logical- Must be relevant

3. Evidences:- Must be relevant- Evidential value (strength)

4. Rebuttals:- Must be logical- Must be relevant- Must be promptSpeech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

DEFINING A TOPIC

Explain the key-words in the topic.Identify what you want to prove and what is your stand. This is called the theme of your team.If there is a measurement involved, set up the yardstick or criteria for such measurement.


RULES OF DEFINITIONIt must bear a close relation to the motion.It must not be truistic.It must not employ time or place setting.It must not be based on overly specific knowledge

Characteristics of a Proper Definition:Literal with key-words definition. Metaphorical definition.Issue based &/or specified definition (different from time-place setting).

Kinds of Definitions:Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

CHALLENGE OF DEFINITIONYou can only challenge a definition if it violates any of the criteria stated earlier. Frequently used terms in challenging definitions are: wholly unreasonable, squirrel, time-place set, truistic.You cannot challenge a definition simply because you have a more reasonable or better definition.

Grounds for Challenge:Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

CHALLENGE OF DEFINITION

Challenge must come from the leader of the opposition, not later. Leader of the opposition must provide an alternative definition.In most of the cases, the teams must introduce an 'even if argument. An `Even if' argument is not possible in some cases. (e.g. truistic definition & definition running counter to the resolution i.e. where govt. has taken the oppositions case). In a definition debate, all the speakers except the PM argue the following:Why challenge?Validity/ invalidity of the two definitions.Even if we are to accept the other side's definition, these are the weaknesses of their case.Positive case under their own definition.


First, identify what you have to prove under the topic.Then, identify what helps you to prove it. Put them in the format of an argument or a set of arguments.Not everything that you know on the subject is relevant.Anticipate the questions that may be raised against your arguments and see if you have good answers to them.Block the opportunity for those questions to be raised by addressing them briefly as you explain the argument.Present the arguments in order of their strength.Avoid empty rhetoric and emotionalism - be rational.

GETTING THE RIGHT ARGUMENTSSpeech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

ESTABLISHING AN ARGUMENTBasic statementConclusion/ how it proves your teams themeProofs/ evidences/ examples that factually establish your basic statementLogical explanations of why and how the basic statement standsSpeech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

Do not rebut the example, attack the very premise of the argument of the other side. Only then contrary examples can be supplemented.It is advisable to provide multiple rebuttals to each argument of the other side.Rebuttals should also be in conformity with your case.Rebut the rebuttals of your case by the other side in order to defend your case.

EFFECTIVE REBUTTALSSpeech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

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ELEMENTS OF MANNER/STYLERespectable attitude towards the judges and the other team.Vocal style: volume, clarity, pace, intonation etc.Use of notes: not to read a written text.Eye contact.Body language: hand gestures, pacing, standing etc.Impression of sincerity.Humour, wit, appropriate and healthy sarcasm.


ELEMENTS OF METHODTeam structureContinuity of teams theme in all the speeches.Consistency among all the speakers (no contradictions)Reinforcement of team members' argumentsClear & logical separation between arguments. Individual StructureAttractive opening/ outline of the speech.Proper organisation & priority of the arguments.Organisation of rebuttals.Appropriate timing of the speechSummary of the speech.Responses to the dynamics of the debate- Right thing at the right time. - Ability to follow the progression of and changes in the debate, and to re-act accordingly.Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

MODEL INDIVIDUAL SPEECHDefinitions/ theme of the teamPresentation of your own argumentsReiteration and defence of your own teams caseRebuttals (attacks and defence)Conclusion (why your teams case stands and other teams case does not)Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

TEAMS ROLES: ASIAN/ AUSTRALSTo support the motion which involves:Defining the motion,Constructing a positive case in favour of the motion, Providing substantive materials and arguments in support of the case,Responding to any challenges made to that case by the Opposition.

PROPOSITION/GOVERNMENT:OPPOSITION:To negate the motion which involves: Responding to the Government's definition, Constructing a case in opposition to the motion, Providing substantive material and arguments in support of the (opposition) case, Responding to the arguments delivered by the Government. Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

TEAM ROLES: BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY

- Defines- Builds a positive case to support the motion - Responds to the Opp.s case.- Responds to the governments case- Builds a case to oppose the motion- Supports the Opening Gov.s case, - Adds new dimensions, arguments to further substantiate the governments case.- Responds to the Opp.s case- Supports the Opening Opp.s case- Adds new dimension, arguments in Opp.s case - Responds to governments case OPENING GOV.CLOSING GOV.CLOSING OPP.OPENING OPP.Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

SPEAKERS' ROLES: ASIAN/ AUSTRALS1st Speaker /Prime Minister Defines the topic.Gives the case structure and theme.Presents own arguments.Provides a summary of his speech. (What I've given u so far..).2nd SpeakerRebuts. Reiterates and defends his first speakers arguments.Presents own argument.Provides a summary of his speech.3rd SpeakerRebuts substantially.Reiterates and defends his own team's case.Provides a summary of his speech.Reply SpeakerPresents a comparative overview of the clash points in the debate proving why his teams case stands

PROPOSITION/ GOVERNMENT:Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

1st Speaker /Opposition LeaderResponds to the definition (i.e. Accepts, Rejects or Clarifies).Rebuts the Prime Ministers arguments.Gives the case structure and theme of his team.Presents own arguments.Provides a summary of his speech.2nd SpeakerSame as the proposition 2nd speaker3rd SpeakerSame as the proposition 3rd speakerReply SpeakerSame as the proposition reply speaker

OPPOSITION:SPEAKERS' ROLES: ASIAN/ AUSTRALSSpeech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

POINTS OF INFORMATION (POIs)A POI can be in a question or statement form and should not take more than 15 seconds.Each speaker should accept at least two POIs. All three members of the team should try to give POIs, but they must not be disruptive.POIs are judged on the basis of:

the threat they pose to the strength of the argument of the debater.value of its wit and humour.Responses to the POIs are judged on the basis of:promptness and confidence in answering.strength of the response.value of wit and humour in the response.


Documents

DebateGuide.ppt