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Debate-Example of How A Debate Should Be Conducted

Example of how a debate should be conducted in a classroom. This is part of a series of files which includes a pptx presentation of debate in the classroom, example of how a debate should be conducted, chairperson's flowchart, guidelines for judges, judging notes sheet and timekeeper's flowchart.

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Chiew N Pang
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79K views2 pages

Debate-Example of How A Debate Should Be Conducted

Example of how a debate should be conducted in a classroom. This is part of a series of files which includes a pptx presentation of debate in the classroom, example of how a debate should be conducted, chairperson's flowchart, guidelines for judges, judging notes sheet and timekeeper's flowchart.

Uploaded by

Chiew N Pang
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Example of how a debate should be conducted

Chairperson calls the room to order (makes sure everyone is seated and is quiet).

He stands and says CLEARLY:

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen and welcome to today's debate. The motion for
today’s debate is "........". On my right, for the proposition team, we have (names of
the speakers) and on my left, for the opposition team we have (names of the
speakers). Our judges for today are (judges’ names)." Pause after each name, so that
they have time to acknowledge. It must be assumed that they are not known to the
audience. He may indicate (by an open palm) the judge in question as their name is
being mentioned.

“The speaking times will be (x minutes per speaker – if they are all the same or x
minutes for the 1st speaker, y minutes for the 2nd, etc).” The chair should also mention
that if the speaking time is exceeded, he will shout, “Time!” (The watch is not stopped
until the speaker stops speaking).

"I would now like to call upon the first speaker of the proposition (speaker's name) to
open the debate."

To vary, he can say, “It is now my pleasure to introduce the 2nd speaker ...

He sits.

The 1st speaker stands up (I think it looks better) and says, ‘Mr Chairman (or Madame
Chair), judges, ladies and gentlemen, today’s motion is ...’

All the speakers should acknowledge the chair, the judges and the audience, and at
the end of their speech they must have some means of showing that they have come
to the end of their speech even it if it’s a mere ‘thank you!’

Remember the order of the speakers:

1st proposition  1st opposition

2nd proposition  2nd opposition

Opposition summary  Proposition summary

Acknowledgments: English-Speaking Union, Chiew N Pang


At the end of each speech, the chair should wait for some kind of acknowledgement
from the judges (e.g., a nod) before introducing the following speaker. The judges
may need some time to write their notes.

This process should continue throughout the debate.

When all the speakers have spoken, the chair announces, “The judges will now retire
to consider the verdict.” The judges leave the room.

The chair invites a vote: “We will not take a vote on the motion. Those who are in
favour, please raise your hands. Those who are against...

Comments are now invited from the floor.”

The judges return, give some general feedback, and announce the winners.

The chair thanks the judges, the speakers and the audience!

BEFORE the debate starts, the flowcharts should be filled with all relevant information
such as the names of the speakers and the motion.

The judges get their Judging Notes Sheet.

The chair gets the Chairperson’s Flowchart and the Timekeeper’s Flowchart.

At the end of each speaker’s turn, he writes down the time they used in the relevant
box. He DOESN’T shout the time to the judges!

In terms of organization, a debate is not complicated, so everything ought to be done


with a sense of efficiency and professionalism. A debate is a formal event, so the
appropriate register has to be used. It is not right to say, e.g. “OK, Christina, it’s your
turn to speak!” I would even go as far as saying that participants should be addressed
as Mr. and Miss: “The judges are Miss so-and-so, Mr. ...” “My learned friend, Mr. Alfred
Rodríguez mentioned that ...”

I can’t stress often enough: don’t rush ! Speak loudly, clearly, and vary your
pace. This refers not only to the speakers, but also to the chair and the judges. Again,
I repeat: the teams should prepare both sides of the argument so that they know what
to expect from the opposing team, and have some arguments and statistics they can
use for rebutting.

Acknowledgments: English-Speaking Union, Chiew N Pang

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