What Makes a Debate?

Although millions of people all over the world enjoy a good debate, they do not all debate in the same way, in the same format, or even in the same language.

Most debates have a few characteristics in common:

• Usually on a fixed topic or proposition. • Try to persuade a third party audience or judge.

Who Wins a Debate?

Because you’re trying to convince some third party who’s watching the debate, this means it’s not the same as a simple argument with your friends – you’re not trying to convince your opponent or opponents that you’re right.

Who will judge your debate?

What Are Debates On?

A fixed topic or proposition. It might be vague or imprecise, such as “school safety” or “television.” It might also suggest a direction for the debate, such as “School safety should be improved,” or “Television should be abolished.”

They usually deal with controversial issues (international issues like global warming or local issues to do with your community)

They constrain the issues that will be debated – generally, judges and audiences expect you’ll stick to the assigned topic.

The Building Blocks

Basic building blocks: Arguments

The question you need to ask is: “How do you make successful

arguments and how do you make these work in debates?”

Unsuccessful Arguments

Often, arguments are not successful because they are incomplete.

Important difference: an argument is not a simple assertion or statement that something is so, for e.g.: “The death penalty is justified.” “Hyacinths are better than roses.” “The USA should eliminate its nuclear

arsenal.”

From Novice to Advanced Debater

A novice might offer assertions to prove her point: “The death penalty is justified.”

A more sophisticated debater knows her argument will be more persuasive with reasoning: “The death penalty is justified because it reduces crime.”

The Advanced Debater

The advanced debater offers proof to cement the credibility of her argument:

“The death penalty is justified because it reduces crime. Credible university studies conducted across the nation strongly point to this effect.”

Offer Proof – Win Over Your Audience

If this argument “works” (is persuasive), it will be in part because it plays on the audience’s assumption that policies that reduce crime are good. It may also be persuasive because the data is credible, or from a credible source.

Successful Arguments = Complete Arguments:

3 basic parts necessary (A – R - E) Assertion - a statement that

something is so. Reasoning - the reason why the

assertion is valid. Reasoning is the “because” part of an argument.

Evidence - the proof of the reasoning .

A-R-E Activity

Have a look at Worksheet 1. Complete the table by adding info for the

three categories (A – R – E)? Choose some topics that you

brainstormed last week Outline the argument(s) that an

advanced debater would put forward.

The CLASH

Debates need a clash. Why? Debate deals with arguments that are

in dispute That is why refutation or counter-

argument is necessary - because it promotes direct clash between arguments

Introduction To Refutation

There are many ways to answer an argument.

Firstly, you could provide a counterclaim – e.g. Speaker 1: Bananas are better than

oranges because they contain more potassium.

Speaker 2: Speaker 1 says that bananas are better than oranges, but I disagree. Oranges are better than bananas.

Who Wins?

Speaker 2 has simply provided an assertion to counter the assertion of the first speaker. Clearly, Speaker 1 has the edge, since she is the only debater to have actually provided reasoning for her claim (“because they contain more potassium”). Good reasoning always trumps no reasoning at all.

A More Advanced Method

Provide reasoning for your counter-assertion: Speaker 1: Bananas are better than

oranges because they contain more potassium.

Speaker 2: Speaker 1 says that bananas are better than oranges, but I disagree. Oranges are better than bananas because they contain more vitamin C.

Has complete refutation been achieved?

Complete refutation

In order to refute an argument, you must include what we call a “therefore” component. This component is where you explain why your argument trumps the argument of your opponent.

Example of complete refutation

Speaker 1: Bananas are better than oranges because they contain more potassium.

Speaker 2: Speaker 1 says that bananas are better than oranges, but I disagree. Oranges are better than bananas because they contain more vitamin C. Therefore, you should prefer oranges because while many foods in an ordinary diet contain potassium, few contain an appreciable amount of vitamin C. It is more important to eat oranges whenever possible than it is to eat bananas. (Comparison)

Who wins?

Counter-argument Activity

Have a look at the summary of the four steps in Worksheet 2.

Go back to the A-R-E worksheet and use the steps to develop counter-argument to some of the arguments.

What About Your Debate?

Obviously, there are two sides in the debate. These are the proposition side and the opposition side.

In your debate, there will be four debaters per side. Everyone gives one speech.

This is the order of the speeches:

First proposition; first opposition First proposition constructive – 3 minutes

This speaker makes a case for the motion for the debate, providing a proof of the topic with three or four major points.

First opposition constructive - 3 minutes

This speaker makes several arguments against the proposition team’s case and refutes the proposition’s major points.

Second proposition; second opposition Second proposition constructive – 3 minutes This speaker should rebuild and extend upon the

proposition’s case. This means they must extend and amplify the original proposition points and refute the opposition’s major arguments against the case.

Second opposition constructive – 3 minutes This speaker amplifies the opposition arguments against

the case, providing new information about why the opposition team should win the debate. This speaker should answer the proposition’s answers to the opposition team’s original arguments.

Third proposition; third opposition Third proposition constructive – 3 minutes This speaker should rebuild and extend upon the

proposition’s case. This means that this speaker must extend and amplify the original proposition points and refute the (first and second) opposition’s major arguments against the case.

Third opposition constructive – 3 minutes This speaker amplifies the opposition arguments

against the case, providing new information about why the opposition team should win the debate. This speaker should answer the proposition’s answers to the (first and second) opposition team’s original arguments.

Opposition rebuttal; proposition rebuttal Opposition rebuttal – 3 minutes Must put the debate together and explain

why, given all of the arguments in the debate, the opposition teams should still win the debate. Should finalize refutation of the proposition’s major points.

Proposition rebuttal – 3 minutes Should summarise the issues in the debate

and explain why, even with the opposition’s arguments, the proposition teams should win the debate. Should refute the opposition’s major points.

Points Of Info

Have a look at the Worksheet 3 on Points of Information

Can anyone interrupt while you are speaking?

If so, how do they do this? Can they always do this? Can you say “no”?

Useful Summary Sheets

Listening and Speaking Debate Preparation Sheets