Debates
LG 2014
What’s a debate?
• A debate is a verbal contest in which two
opposing teams make speeches to support
their own arguments and ”knock down” the
opposing team’s arguments.
• The team that makes the ”best case” for its
side wins the debate.
• In our case the topics will be assigned.
(controlled arguments)
Why have debates?
• Debates help you (ESL students) develop
important skills. These include:
- The ability to practise reading, writing and
listening skills.
- Development of argumentation skills (a good
strong case built on a solid foundation)
- Experience in persuasive writing and speaking
Sample debates:
• Watch on You Tube ”sample debates” eg.
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi_CSGZqOCM
Terms you need to know
• RESOLUTION -> The opinion of which two
teams argue
- Example: Cigarette smoking should be banned in all public places.
• Affirmative team -> The team that agrees with
the resolution
• Negative team -> The team that disagrees
• Rebuttal -> Explanation of why one team
disagrees with the other.
• Judge -> a person/people who decide the
winner.
Resolution
• A resolution is an opinion about which there
can be VALID disagreement. (not ” the sun will
rise in the east tomorrow”.) NO argument!
Compare with cigarettes
• Debates are assigned to a team that either
argues ”for” or ”against”the resolution
regardless of what they personally believe.
• Compare with lawyers
Resolution 2
• In stating his/her position, the speaker must
also support his position with reason. It won’t
do with: I believe smoking should be banned
because I don’t like smoking. (opinion)
- Instead: I believe that smoking should be
banned in public places because second hand
smoke is harmful for non-smokers. (reason)
- The speaker must then go on to elaborate on
his/her reasons.
Reasons
• In a debate you want to use the strongest
reasons possible.
• What are the qualities of a STRONG
reasoning?
Reasons (discuss)
• Smoking should be banned in public places
because:
a) It is bad
b) It gives people bad breath and makes their
teeth yellow.
c) Second-hand smoke is harmful for nonsmokers
• Smoking should be banned in public places
because:
a) It is bad (weak: define bad....)
b) It gives people bad breath and makes their
teeth yellow. (an OK argument, but affecting
only one person)
c) Second-hand smoke is harmful for nonsmokers (proven fact)
Exercise
• Come up with 1 STRONG reason for each of
the following resolutions:
1. Women should quit their jobs after they get
married.
2. Love is more important than money.
3. It is better to be married than single.
4. Writing by hand is better than writing by computer.
Types of reasons
• Examples: From your own experience or from
what you´ve read.
- Breating second-hand smoke in a public place is unpleasant. I
have had to leave parties because my eyes stung so badly.
• Common sense: Things you believe everyone
knows
- Smoking causes cancer and many other serious diseases.
Types of reasons 2
• Expert opinions – These come from research
- Quoting experts who have done research or written papers on
a subject is always persuasive.
• Statistics – Numerical date. (if you use this in a
debate you should say where the statistics
come from).
DEBATE STRUCTURE
• You will be divided into teams.
• Teams will be paired up for competition and
be assigned resolutions.
• You will all have your part in the
argumentation, so write down your ”speech”
DEBATE STRUCTURE 2
2 minute time limit
• Speech 1: The first affirmative speaker introduces the topic
and states the affirmative team´s first argument.
• Speech 2: The first negative speaker states the first argument.
• Speech 3: The second affirmative speaker states the second
argument.
• Speech 4: The second negative speaker states the second
argument.
DEBATE STRUCTURE 3
• 5-10 minute break for teams to form rebuttals.
NOTE: Listen carefully to what the other team is saying so that
you can properly rebut their reasoning.
• Speech 5: The negative team states two rebuttals for the
affirmative team´s two arguments and summarizes its own
two reasons.
• Speech 6: The affirmative team states two rebuttals for the
negative team´s two arguments and summarizes its two
reasons.
• Brainstorm and prepare what to argue. Write
down numerous arguments, at least two each.
• Compare notes and choose the best two.
• Also, brainstorm opponents´possible
arguments and compose 3 short rebuttals.