ACS: Week 13

Introduction to Debating
What is a debate for you?
 What is debate?
A common misconception
is that debate is just a
couple of people arguing
over some subject.
 Ice Breaker

• Ice breaker questions:

1."Have you ever participated in a debate before?"

2. "What do you think makes a successful debater?"

Introduction to Debating

• Can you define me, what is a debate or debating?

Debating is a formal discussion or argumentation in which two or more individuals or teams

present opposing viewpoints on a particular topic or issue.

• What is the goal of debating?

The goal of debating is to persuade the audience or judges of the validity of one's arguments and to
refute the arguments presented by the opposing side.
Debate
Debate actually offers a highly structured environment in which two
individuals or two teams, often called the proposition or affirmative & the
opposition or negative, take turns presenting speeches in favor &
against a specific topic proposition called a motion or resolution.
 Common Situations Where Debating is Used

1.Academic Settings: Schools and universities often host debating competitions as part of extracurricular
activities or academic programs.

2.Public Forums: Debating is commonly used in public forums, such as political debates, where candidates
argue their positions on various issues.

3.Legal Proceedings: Lawyers engage in debating during trials, presenting arguments and counterarguments
to persuade judges and juries.

4.Business Meetings: Debating skills are valuable in negotiations, board meetings, and presentations, where
individuals advocate for their ideas or proposals.

5.Community Discussions: Debating occurs in community settings, such as town hall meetings or activist
groups, where people discuss and argue over social, environmental, or political issues.
 Debating is a powerful tool for honing different skills for several reasons:

• Critical Thinking Skills: Debating requires participants to analyze complex issues,

evaluate evidence, and construct persuasive arguments. Participants must critically assess
information and develop well-reasoned responses. This process fosters a deeper
understanding of topics.

• Persuasive Communication: Debating cultivates the art of persuasive communication.

Participants learn to articulate their ideas convincingly, employing rhetoric, evidence, and
reasoning. This skill is important in various contexts, including professional settings,
where the ability to advocate for one's viewpoint is crucial.

• Active Listening: Effective debating develops active listening skills. Participants must
attentively engage with opposing arguments, discerning key points and potential
weaknesses. This fosters empathy and understanding, as debaters learn to appreciate
diverse perspectives even while advocating their own.
 Debating is a powerful tool for honing different skills
for several reasons:

• Quick Thinking and Adaptability: Debates unfold rapidly, requiring participants to think on their feet and
respond adeptly to counterarguments. This fosters agility of thought and the capacity to adapt to changing
circumstances—a valuable skill in dynamic environments where rapid decision-making is essential.

• Confidence Building: Engaging in debates builds confidence in one's ability to express ideas cogently and
defend them under scrutiny. Overcoming the challenge of public speaking and intellectual sparring instills a
sense of self-assurance that transcends the debate arena, empowering individuals in various aspects of their
personal and professional lives.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TSkkxu8on0

Video on Debating Basics

The TOPIC is something to argue about. They are often about current
issues of public importance

As in other arguments there are two sides to any topic.

The team that agrees with the topic is called the AFFIRMATIVE and
the team that disagrees with the topic is called the NEGATIVE.
Debaters make two kinds of speeches.
​
1st - each team presents constructive speeches to
establish arguments the teams hope to win.
2nd - They attack the other team’s arguments & solidify
their team’s position in rebuttal speeches.
The two teams clash, or directly attack, each other’s arguments to
convince the judge or audience to vote for their side.
•Arguments
Debaters present their side of the debate in cases & counter cases,
specific plans that each side proposes in which they suggest
actions people should take.
Each side explains how these plans should be implemented.
When two people debate, one of them makes
an argument, and the other follows with a
rebuttal, which, plainly put, is the "no, you're
wrong and this is why" argument.

Also
A debate is a formal argument in which there are two sides that take
opposing viewpoints and discuss them in an organized and structured way
while trying to persuade listeners to share the speaker's point of view.
Basic Terms

Resolution- the opinion about which two teams argue

Affirmative team- agrees with the resolution
Negative team- disagrees with the resolution
Rebuttal- explains why one team disagrees with the other
team.
Judges-decide the winner
Structure of the Debates
Getting ready

Having an opinion isn't enough to be effective in a debate. You need to be able

to have strong supporting materials for your side of the debate.

Make sure you include relevant facts that many others would not have already
known. The more related relevant facts you include the stronger your
presentation becomes.

Train yourself to fully respect the other debater. Even if you are completely
convinced you are right, you must give the other person time to speak their mind
as well.

Prepare to have a rebuttal to the arguments that the other person will make.
Many times you can know what they will say ahead of time and prepare yourself
with facts that contradict their argument.
Do’s and Don’ts in Debates!
 1. Watch JFK-Nixon debate.

Post-video questions:

1.What elements of debate did you notice in

the video?

2.How did they behave while presenting their

arguments and answering questions?

3.What was new for you?

https://youtu.be/QazmVHAO0os
Team Work

Team 1. Presents Rules of Debating

Team 2. Presents Role of the Speakers

 Rules of Debating

1.Time Limits:
1. Each speaker is allocated a specific amount of
time to present their arguments.
2. Time limits vary depending on the format of the
debate and should be strictly adhered to.
3. Common time limits include: 2. Speaking Order:
1. Opening speeches: 5-10 minutes per speaker. 1. There is a predetermined speaking order that all
2. Rebuttals: 3-5 minutes per speaker. participants must follow.
3. Closing speeches: 3-5 minutes per speaker. 2. The typical speaking order is as follows:
1. Proposition (affirmative) team presents their
case.
2. Opposition (negative) team presents their case.
3. Cross-examination or rebuttals by each team.
4. Closing speeches by each team.
3. Etiquette:
1. Respect is paramount. Treat all participants with
courtesy and refrain from personal attacks.
2. Listen actively to opposing arguments and
respond thoughtfully.
3. Avoid interrupting speakers. Raise points of order
or clarification during appropriate times.
4. Use evidence and logical reasoning to support
your arguments.
5. Maintain a professional demeanor throughout the
debate.
Techniques

There are many techniques that each

speaker can use in their speech but there
are three main areas that you will be
marked on and they are matter, method
and manner.
Techniques

Matter is what you say, it is the substance of your speech. You should divide
your matter into arguments and examples.

An argument is a statement "The topic is true (or false depending on which

side you are on) because of x", where the argument fills in for the x .

Matter cannot be just a long list of examples. You do not win a debate by
creating the biggest pile of facts.
Techniques

When you are presenting one particular argument make sure that the argument
is logical and that you make clear links between your team line and the
argument.

Rebuttal should be organized the same way. Attack each argument that the
opposition presents in turn. Spend a little while on each and then move on to
the next.
Techniques

Manner is how you present what you say and there are various aspects of
manner that you need to be aware of.

1. CUE CARDS. Do not write out your speech on cue cards.

2. EYE CONTACT. Is very closely related to cue cards.

3. VOICE. There are many things you can do with your voice to make it
effective.

4. BODY. Your body is a tool for you to use. Make hand gestures deliberately
and with confidence.
 Tips for Successful Debating
1.Thorough Preparation:
1. Research your topic extensively to understand
both sides of the argument.
2. Gather evidence, statistics, and examples to
support your points.
3. Anticipate counterarguments and prepare
responses. 2. Organized Structure:
1. Start with a clear and concise introduction that
outlines your position.
2. Divide your arguments into main points, each
supported by evidence and reasoning.
3. Use transitions to smoothly move between points
and maintain coherence.
4. Conclude with a summary of your key points and
a strong closing statement.
 Tips for Successful Debating
3. Clear Communication:
1. Speak confidently and clearly, maintaining good
posture and eye contact.
2. Use language that is accessible to your audience,
avoiding jargon or overly complex terms.
3. Tailor your message to your audience's level of
understanding and interests.
4. Logical Reasoning:
1. Present logical arguments that follow a clear line of
reasoning.
2. Avoid fallacies such as ad hominem attacks or
slippery slope arguments.
3. Use deductive or inductive reasoning to strengthen
your points.
 Let’s practice
Imagine you are a leading responsible person having a debate about caring for your
citizens or company.
One of you should write a powerful argument in support of the idea that:
Coca-Cola consumption should be supported because…
And another of you write a counter argument :
Consumption of Coca-cola should not be allowed because…
Watch the video

https://youtu.be/vzcQaOiJUW4?si=Sp3Caed_gO_3GMcn