Debating Scottish Independence

Aberdeen University - 4th September 2014By Tony Koutsoumbos

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Contents

Public speaking v Debating

How to judge a debate

What makes a great debater

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Public speaking v Debating

What is the difference between public speaking and debating?

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Public speaking v Debating

Monologue v Dialogue

Impact v Scrutiny

Delivery v Content Like v Agree

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Public speaking v Debating

Does this mean that arguments mean more than personality in a

debate?

If the format allows for cross-examination of the arguments,

then yes…

A bad argument like counterfeit currency only reveals itself under

close examination.

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Public speaking v Debating

Is this true of the televised debates between Alastair Darling and Alex Salmond?

Debate #1

Debate #2

Arguments

Personality

Total Arguments

Personality

Total

Salmond 40 47 37 56 54 65

Darling 51 32 44 36 32 26

Unknown 9 14 15 8 14 9Source: snap public opinion polls of Scottish voters taken after both debates

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How to judge a debate

The post debate polls tell us whose arguments the public preferred,

but how can we analyse the quality of the arguments

themselves?

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How to judge a debateGolden rule:• Burden of proof lies with the person

proposing a change from the status quo

In other words:• Alex Salmond has to prove that leaving

the UK would be best for Scotland

• Alastair Darling only needs to prove it wouldn’t – he doesn’t need to prove staying in would be best for Scotland (but it does help)

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How to judge a debateWhat to look for:

Definitions◦ Do both sides agree what they are debating?

Priorities◦ How are they measuring the impact of

independence?Analysis

◦ Are they making arguments or assertions?Engagement

◦ Are they listening and responding to each other?

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Analysis of Debate #1

Watch the highlights and draw your own conclusions:

Both agree social justice and economic prosperity are top priorities

They clash on democracy, currency union, and Scotland’s ability to succeed alone

Both present their own arguments well enough, but respond to each other with derision and personal attacks

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Analysis of Debate #2Now watch the highlights of the second debate

Priority now is protecting public spending on welfare and NHS

They clash on whether UK government policy or uncertainty over currency is biggest threat

Salmond provides analysis to explain why Scotland will keep the pound– Darling responds with increased aggression

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Verdict after both debatesSalmond learnt his lesson after the poor showing

at the first debate and made a much greater to analyse and respond to Darling’s arguments

Darling became complacent after victory of first debate and re-iterated exactly the same arguments, while becoming increasingly hostile

A debate judge would most likely reach the same conclusion as Scottish public in both debates

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What makes a great debater

What steps can we take to ensure we repeat everything Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling did right and avoid

what they did wrong?

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What makes a great debaterIntroduce – say what you’re going to say

Define – your idea and your priorities

Explain – how you will apply your idea

Analyse – what makes it a good idea

Summarise – say what you’ve said

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Answering difficult questionsProblem Solution Outcome

Question Premise Response

E.g. what is your plan B?

Plan A (keeping the pound) is not an option since the UK government ruled it out and this is bad for the Scottish economy because…

Why it is unlikely that the UK government will deny Scotland use of the pound.

Why the Scottish economy will not suffer even if it does.

The key to answering a difficult question is to understand what is really being asked – this means addressing the assumptions behind the question (the premise) as well as the question itself.

Note: if you can’t answer the question and you can’t prove it’s irrelevant to the debate, then you know it’s time to re-examine your argument.

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Debating Do’s and Don’tsDO DON’T

• Say what key points you are going to make before launching into them – makes it easier for audience to follow you

• Take your time to clearly and slowly prove the few points most central to your argument

• Analyse your opponent’s arguments for any weaknesses or inconsistencies

• Address your questioner (opponent or audience) directly, politely, and by name

• Fill your speech with ambiguous buzzwords and high rhetoric – you will only get away with it if your opponent is as bad as you

• Try and cram the entire contents of Wikipedia into a five minute speech

• Resort to personal attacks– only people who already agree with you will have any time for it

• Point angrily at your questioner and definitely don’t dismiss their question as ‘stupid’ or ‘nonsense’

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Further ReadingAn in-depth analysis of the first d

ebateThe Future of Scotland and the U

KAggregated opinion polls on refer

endumFact-checking the referendum de

bate

You can find out more about my background and experience at www.debate-training.co.uk