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Adopted from http://www.actdu.org.au/archives/actein_site/basicskills.html#adebate http://www.actdu.org.au/archives/actein_site/basicskills.html#adebate
A debate is, basically, an argument. Debating has strict rules of conduct and quite sophisticated arguing techniques and you will often be in a position where you will have to argue the opposite of what you believe in.
If a debate is a form of argument then it logically follows that there must be something to argue about. This is called the TOPIC. The topic changes from debate to debate. They are often about current issues of public importance or about general philosophies or ideas. 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. When organising a debate it is important to select a topic that is appropriate to the age and education of the debaters concerned. Often topics will cover areas that the debaters have a specific interest in or, in the case of schools debates, that have been covered in classes or are current news items
Define the topic. Team line : why the topic is true or false. Assign roles :each speaker has specified roles that they must fulfill to play their part in the team.
1st Affirmative must: - define the topic. - present the affirmative's team line. - outline briefly what each speaker in their team will talk about. - present the first half of the affirmative case. 1st negative must: - accept or reject the definition. If you don't do this it is assumed that you accept the definition. - present the negative team line. - outline briefly what each of the negative speakers will say. - rebut a few of the main points of the first affirmative speaker. - the 1st negative should spend about one quarter of their time rebutting. - present the first half of the negative team's case.
2nd affirmative must: - reaffirm the affimative's team line. - rebut the main points presented by the 1st negative. - the 2nd affirmative should spend about one third of their time rebutting. - present the second half of the affirmative's case. 2nd negative must: - reaffirm the negative's team line. - rebut some of the main points of the affirmative's case. - the 2nd negative should spend about one third of their time rebutting. - present the second half of the negative's case.
3rd affirmative must: - reaffirm the affirmative's team line. - rebut all the remaining points of the negative's case. - the 3rd affirmative should spend about two thirds to three quarters of their time rebutting. - present a summary of the affirmative's case. - round off the debate for the affirmative. 3rd negative must: - reaffirm the negative's team line. - rebut all the remaining points of the affirmative's case. - the 3rd negative should spend about two thirds to three quarters of their time rebutting. - present a summary of the negative's case. - round off the debate for the negative.
In debating each team will present points in favour of their case. They will also spend some time criticising the arguments presented by the other team. This is called rebuttal. There are a few things to remember about rebuttal. 1. Logic - to say that the other side is wrong is not enough. You have to show why the other side is wrong. This is best done by taking a main point of the other side's argument and showing that it does not make sense. Because a lot of the thinking for this needs to be done quickly this is one of the most challenging and enjoyable aspects of debating.
2. Pick the important points - try to rebut the most important points of the other side's case. You will find that after a while these are easier and easier to spot. One obvious spot to find them is when the first speaker of the other team outlines briefly what the rest of the team will say. But do not rebut those points until after they have actually been presented by the other team. 3. `Play the ball' - do not criticise the individual speakers, criticise what they say. To call someone fat, ugly or a nerd does not make what they say wrong and it will also lose you marks.
Avoid the use of Never. Avoid the use of Always. Refrain from saying you are wrong. You can say your idea is mistaken. Don't disagree with obvious truths. Attack the idea not the person. Use many rather than most. Avoid exaggeration. Use some rather than many. The use of often allows for exceptions. The use of generally allows for exceptions.
Quote sources and numbers. If it is just an opinion, admit it. Do not present opinion as facts. Smile when disagreeing. Stress the positive. You do not need to win every battle to win the war. Concede minor or trivial points. Avoid bickering, quarreling, and wrangling. Watch your tone of voice. Don't win a debate and lose a friend. Keep your perspective - You're just debating.