OPENNING SPEECHES
The purpose of the opening speech is to make and support your main arguments in favor of the resolution (when
you are affirmative) or against the resolution (when you are negative).
Your opening speech should always accomplish the following:
 It will present your primary arguments
 It will provide support for those arguments in the form of evidence and reasoning
 It should be persuasively written (should include introduction, arguments, & a conclusion)
Introduction The introduction needs to accomplish two things.
1) State the resolution and your position (in favor of it or opposed to it)
2) Provide a persuasive attention-getter to encourage the audience to listen to your speech.
Arguments
Your main arguments should be numbered. Your arguments are statements that must be proven.
After you have stated your arguments, you must provide reasoning and evidence to support them.
Conclusion
In your conclusion, you should restate your main ideas and end with a persuasive appeal to your
audience.
REBUTTALS
The rebuttals are the areas of the debate where debaters are able to directly refute and give arguments against
the opponent’s case, while defending theirs.
Helpful hints:
 Avoid repetition. Don’t just repeat your arguments. Beat the other team’s arguments and tell the
audience why your arguments are better.
 Avoid reading evidence only. You must be explaining and telling the audience why these issues win the
debate.
 Be organized. Don’t jump from issue to issue at random.
 Don’t make new arguments. You can read new evidence but you can’t make new arguments.
SUMMARY SPEECHES
The final speeches of the debate should be used to synthesize various arguments into a few critical points for the
audience to consider. One might introduce their summary with a statement like “in light of the arguments
made in today’s debate, we have upheld the resolution because…” This summary statement is difficult for
several reasons. First, because of the general nature of the closing argument, the speaker must focus on the “big
picture” and less on specific details. Second, the speaker must extend his/her best arguments while answering
his/her opponent’s best arguments. This requires a careful balance. Here are some general tips for making
successful summary statements.
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Ask yourself, what are our most powerful arguments? After selecting your most powerful
arguments you must explain why you have won these arguments and why this means you have won
the debate.
Ask yourself, “What are the weaknesses in my opponent’s best arguments?” Explain these
weaknesses to the judge.
The summary must be an extension of the debate. It should not be new ideas or perspectives that
haven’t been brought up.
The summary should set up decision-making criteria for the audience. It is your job as a debater to
provide analysis that helps the audience arrive at their decision.
What is the difference between a debate and a discussion?
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Debate is a series of formal spoken arguments for and against s definite proposal. The solution is approved and
adopted.
Debate is a special type of argument/discussion in which two or more speakers present opposing propositions in
an attempt to win the audience to their sides. The teams are not concerned with convincing each other. The
purpose is to try to alter the thinking of the audience by presenting the issues honestly with reliable evidence.
What are the rules of debate?
Debates begin with a proposed solution to a problem. The proposal should begin with the word RESOLVED. Example;
Resolved: That minimum age for getting a driver’s license should be eighteen
What is the traditional set speaking order for a debate?
There are two teams; Affirmative team supports the proposition and the negative team opposes it.
First Affirmative Speech
First Negative Rebuttal
Second Negative Speech
Second Affirmative Rebuttal
Affirmative Summary Speech
Negative Summary Speech
3 minutes
2 minutes
3 minutes
2 minutes
3 minutes
3 minutes
How do you prepare for a debate?
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Begin with careful research and analysis by both teams on the subject to be debated. Each member should know
as much about the opponent’s arguments as ne does about his or her position.
List the main arguments for both sides of the issue. Decide which arguments are worthy of being included and
which are irrelevant and should be excluded. Find evidence that will prove the issue true or false (facts,
examples, statistics, testimony, etc.).
Be prepared to answer the arguments of the other team’s issues. Your answers make up what is called a
REBUTTAL.
How are debates judged?
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Opening Speech provided three arguments with evidence
Rebuttal refuted arguments given by opponents
Summary Speech was effective in convincing the audience
Delivery (eye contact, body language, volume, expression)
6 points
6 points
6 points
2 points
Assignment:
Prepare a debate on the following issue:
RESOLVED:
Debate Presentation
Due: January 26th
Maximum Points: 20
Questions: Ms. Alsager pealsager@rochester.k12.mn.us