1. Differentiate debate from argumentation.
- Debate is a means that enables people to think deeply and explore various portions of a
specific problem. People who are involve or the one who is debating shall perform a
thorough research and find relevant information from credible sources, which allows them to
gain a thorough comprehension of the topic matter. Speakers may identify crucial issues,
predict alternatives, and develop an effective claim based on the evidence and argument by
doing so. This involves not just sharp critical thinking abilities, but also the capacity to
analyze multiple points of view and gather from a variety of sources. While argumentation is
building a clear and valid argument by providing proof and explanation that support a
specific point of view. Argumentation means finding relevant information, critically
evaluating it, and developing clear and interesting arguments. It takes a thorough
comprehension of the subject matter, as well as being able to organize information and
engage the capacity for critical thinking in order to produce effective arguments. In
conclusion, argumentation and debate are distinct approaches to presenting and defending
viewpoints. Argumentation focuses on individual expression, persuasion, and credibility,
whereas debate emphasizes the exchange of opposing arguments within a structured format.
Both methods require critical thinking, logical reasoning, and effective communication skills,
but differ in their levels of formality and rules.
2. What are the purposes of debate and argumentation.
Some purposes of debate:
- Debating provides practice in developing sound and logical arguments.
- Debate gives students an opportunity to practice speaking in front of an audience and
thinking on their feet.
- Students participating in debate show initiative and leadership.
- The research debaters perform expands their minds and increases their understanding of
multiple sides of important issues.
- Students hone their research skills in preparing for debates.
Some purposes of argumentation:
-
change people’s points of view or persuade them to accept new points of view
persuade people to a particular action or new behavior
3. What is the importance of argument in public speaking.
- Public speaking is an important ability that may help people in several areas of their lives.
Having a solid argumentation or point of view is an important aspect of public speaking. To
properly link or relate an argument to public speaking, we must first learn how to efficiently
express ideas, interact with the audience, and spread the idea convincingly. Also, public
speaking allows students to voice their viewpoints and participate in important discussions,
which helps them develop critical thinking abilities that will be useful throughout their lives.
4. Enumerate the golden rules of an argument.
1. Be prepared. - Make sure you know the essential points you want to make. Research the
facts you need to convince your opponent.
2. When to argue, when to walk away. - Think carefully before you start to argue: is this the
time; is this the place?
3. What you say and how you say it. - Spend time thinking about how to present your
argument. Body language, choice of words and manner of speaking all affect how your
argument will come across.
4. Listen and listen again. - Listen carefully to what the other person is saying. Watch their
body language, listen for the meaning behind their words.
5. Excel at responding to arguments. - Think carefully about what arguments the other
person will listen to. What are their preconceptions? Which kinds of arguments do they find
convincing.
6. Watch out for crafty tricks. - Arguments are not always as good as they first appear. Be
wary of your opponent’s use of statistics. Keep alert for distraction techniques such as
personal attacks and red herrings. Look out for concealed questions and false choices.
7. Develop the skills of arguing in public. - Keep it simple and clear. Be brief and don’t
rush.
8. Be able to argue in writing. - Always choose clarity over pomposity. Be short, sharp, and
to the point, using language that is easily understood.
9. Be great at resolving deadlock. - Be creative in finding ways out of an argument that’s
going nowhere. Is it time to look at the issue from another angle? Are there ways of putting
pressure on so that the other person has to agree with you? Is a compromise possible?
10. Maintain relationships. - This is absolutely key. What do you want from this argument?
Humiliating, embarrassing or aggravating your opponent might make you feel good at the
time, but you might have many lonely days to rue your mistake. Find a result that works for
both of you. You need to move forward. Then you will be able to argue another day.
5. Name and explain briefly the types and formats of debate.
Types of Debate:
1. Team Policy Debate
- Team policy debates consist of two teams, each with two debaters. The primary objective of
team policy debate is to present a huge amount of evidence quickly and coherently.
Moreover, these are most commonly used in middle school or high school debates.
2. Cross-Examination Debate
- Cross-examination is a new type of two-on-two college debate. It is mainly defined as a
period between speeches. Here, the opponent debaters ask questions to clarify and understand
each other’s points of information. It consists of resolutions that are not related to policy.
Similarly, this kind of debate is based on values where evidence can be presented. Moreover,
a cross-examination debate provides you with an opportunity to engage with your opponent.
It further demonstrates your confidence to become a persuasive speaker that helps you win
more points.
3. Lincoln-Douglas Debate
- Lincoln-Douglas is an open style of debate. It is mainly inspired by the debates between
Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in the 1850s. Moreover, this is a one-on-one
debate that focuses on arguing for or against a topic. Here, the participants agree on the time
limits and topics beforehand. The main purpose of the Lincoln-Douglas debates is to speak
persuasively, clearly, and logically. Similarly, it is very structured in nature and allows people
to express their viewpoints openly.
4. Spontaneous Argumentation
- Spontaneous argumentation includes two debaters that argue on a particular topic. Firstly,
they take enough prep time for a debate topic and then present the argument. These types of
debate essays are often used in college and university classrooms. Moreover, it also helps in
decreasing the anxiety of a speaker by building confidence. However, it does not require
detailed research work. Thus, the writer focuses more on presentation and style rather than
the content.
Formats of Debate:
1. First POPOSITION speaker
a. States the topic
b. States several arguments with reasoning and evidence in the form of statistics or data to
support the argument (ARE)
2. First OPPOSITION speaker
a. Rebuts 1st proposition’s points
b. States his/her own points using A-R-E, argument, reasoning, evidence.
3. Second PROPOSITION speaker
a. Rebuts 1st opposition’s points
b. Brings up new points using A-R-E style
4. Second OPPOSITION speaker
a. Rebuts 2nd proposition’s points
b. Rebuts any points not rebutted by 1st opposition
c. States new points using A-R-E
5. OPPOSITION rebuttal speaker
Rebuttal speaker’s duty is to summarize and weigh the debate, to tell why proposition has failed
to carry the motion, and why opposition should win. No new evidence or arguments can be
brought up. This is summary only.
Debate Flow
- IMPORTANT - The Proposition refers to the AFFIRMATIVE side, the Opposition refers to
the NEGATIVE side of the debate.
-Proposition Speech#1 (5-7 minutes)
-Opposition Speech #2 (5-7 minutes)
-Opposition Speech #1 (5-7 minutes)
-Opposition Rebuttal Speech #3 (3-4
-Proposition Speech #2 (5-7 minutes)
minutes)
-Proposition Rebuttal Speech #3 (3-4
minutes)
References:
Street, F. (2020, June 6). The ten golden rules of argument. Farnam Street. https://fs.blog/the-tengolden-rules-of-argument/?fbclid=IwAR3uR_8wtPXusZw34AYiZMAAfnEemeQwc5VftJBKwPz7FAFpTyPTi7jU_0
A, C. (2023, January 4). 6 Different types of debate styles with examples.
https://myperfectwords.com/blog/debate-writing/types-ofdebate?fbclid=IwAR25h7M7ggovEVsBldlIQ3roq7vSevsHcOlnQF43QLj1Qaf3lEokcCXTG4
Debate format. (n.d.). Global Youth Debates. http://www.globalyouthdebates.com/debateformat.html?fbclid=IwAR14o2fHTlRofibXzub1XUcO70UG8Nr1RaVvtDPFC69qHoFp
NUTj1Ww-TP0
Fleming, G. (2019, August 11). Benefits of participating in high school debate. ThoughtCo.
https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-debate-1857491
Writing Arguments: Purposes of Argument | UMGC. (n.d.). University of Maryland Global
Campus. https://www.umgc.edu/current-students/learning-resources/writingcenter/online-guide-to-writing/tutorial/chapter8/ch8-04?fbclid=IwAR1F3DokbDreoGk1yKDKwiJw00QhMeJ_erCDSE6JnfUEfxVv2lv7CcvJtU#:~:text=An%20argument%20ha
s%20two%20purposes%3A%201%20change%20people%E2%80%99s,people%20to%2
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