Let’s Debate
In team of 3, you will defend a side of one of the following resolutions.
You will have one period to prepare
Odd number team are for the resolution, even number team are against the resolution
This House believes that the environment is more important then economic development
This House Support the Family Farm
This House would export Water to the USA
This House would support a Free Trade Area of the Americas
This House Support Affirmative Action for First Nations
This House Support the independence of Quebec
Tasks description
As a team, before you start preparing: Look at the Issue:
What is the main issue?
What positions are the key player(s) taking on the issue?
What arguments were used by one side to support their position?
What arguments were used by the opposing side to support their position?
What beliefs or values were at odds in this issue?
After your research, prepare your speech:
Student 1
Prepare a 2 min speech :
Introduce the topic, present an argument in favour of your position
Also, help the 2 other members of your team
Finally, you will be MC or timekeeper for another debate
Student 2
Prepare a 2 min speech :
Attacks the arguments of the other side and present another argument for your side
Also, help the 2 other members of your team
Finally, you will be a judge for another debate
Student 3
Prepare a 2 min speech :
Summarizes your side strong point and the other side weaknesses.
Also, help the 2 other members of your team
Finally, you will be a judge for another debate
Procedure :
Intro by the MC
1st Affirmative Speech (2min)
1st Negative Speech (2Min)
2nd Affirmative Speech (2min)
2nd Negative Speech (2Min)
Discussion Period (5 Min)
Debaters raised their hand
MC picks who will speak, going from side to side
3rd Negative Speech (2Min)
3rd Affirmative Speech (2min)
(the order is reverse because the Affirmative has a tougher job and as such, has the last word!)
Who does what?
Team Debating
MC, timekeeper and Juges
1 VS 2
11,12
3
VS 4
1,2
5 VS 6
3,4
7
VS 8
5,6
9
VS 10
7,8
11 Vs 12
9,10
MC Script
On behalf of the House, I extend a special welcome to our Judges ________________________,
________________________, and ________________________.
Our Timekeeper is _______________________ and I, _______________________
am your Moderator.
I now introduce the first speaker of the affirmative team
__________________________________, who will speak for 2 minutes.
I now call on the first negative speaker ____________________________________, who will
speak for 2 minutes.
I now introduce the second affirmative speaker ________________________________, who will
speak for 2 minutes.
I now introduce the second negative speaker __________________________________, who will
speak for 2 minutes.
We will now have a 5 minutes discussion period
I will direct the discussion, going from side to side, starting with the first person who raise their
hand
I now introduce the first negative speaker to deliver the negative rebuttal for 2 minutes. (After
this speech say:)
I now introduce the first affirmative speaker to deliver the affirmative rebuttal for 2 minutes.
(after this speech…)
Wait for the Judges to complete their scoring of the debate. As the Judge finishes, collect his/her
score sheet. When you have collected all the score sheets, check to see which team won the
debate.
When you are certain which team won the debate, stand at the front of the room and say:
“It is the considered decision of our judges that this debate has been won by the
______________________ (affirmative or negative).
Ballot
Your name: ________________________________________________________
The Resolution:
___________________________________________________________________________
Affirmative
Negative
Names
Presentation
Content
Strategy
10 8 6 4 2
10 8 6 4 2
54321
10 8 6 4 2
10 8 6 4 2
54321
10 8 6 4 2
10 8 6 4 2
54321
Individual Total
Team Total
The winner is: __________________________________________________
Comments :
10 8 6 4 2
10 8 6 4 2
54321