Tips For Debating
Some of you will be familiar with debating, but for some of you debating may be new. We’ve
put together some tips to help you get started. You can find out more on debating at a high
school level at http://www.debating.org.nz/resources/ . Years 7-8 teams can use the
information about debating, but will be judged at a less technical level than Years 9-13.
Research
Start by learning about debating. Libraries and the internet are a good place to start. Find out
how debates work, and have a go practising with your own debate topic.
Find out more about the Horizons Region www.horizons.govt.nz and the issues facing our
Region. Then when the motion for your debate is announced, you’ll know one of the places
to look for more information.
The basics of debating
A debate is a formal competition between two teams, usually with three members each,
arguing a discussion statement known as "the moot". The moot is worded as an affirmative
statement, beginning with the word "That". It is chosen because it can be argued from two
points of view, the Affirmative and the Negative. Examples of moots are:
That the car is a curse.
That bicycles should be registered and their riders licensed.
That the five-day school week is too long.
That keeping pets in private homes should be made illegal.
For the first of these examples:
The Affirmative team would argue "That the car is a curse."
The Negative team would argue "That the car is --not a curse."
There are certain rules for the role of each speaker and each team (Affirmative and
Negative) tries to convince the audience that their line of argument is the most persuasive.
The Adjudicator (the judge) is the person who decides which team wins the debate.
Winning the debate is decided on the basis of technical rules (to do with both argument and
presentation), which must be followed by the debaters to give them the edge over their
opponents. The Adjudicator judges the debate on both the soundness of the team's
argument and on the way the members of the team have worked together to present their
case.
Debating is therefore not just having an argument. It involves research, preparation,
teamwork, speaking skills, and the ability to persuade. The usual practice in debating is for
the teams to be given the topic and told whether they are Affirmative or Negative. They then
go away and prepare their speeches ready for presentation.
Debating is a fun activity, providing practice in both public speaking and in presenting a
sound argument. You may have to debate an idea (the moot) that you do not agree with at
all. This is what debating is all about.
People involved in a debate
Affirmative Team: This team of speakers supports the moot - they present a team
case in favour of it.
Negative Team: This team of speakers oppose the moot - they present a team case
against it.
Chair/Chairperson: This person welcomes the audience, announces the moot,
introduces the teams, both Affirmative and Negative, welcomes the Adjudicator, outlines
the basic rules for the debate (e.g. times for speaking and the expectations of audience
behaviour - no interjections or heckling during the debate, listening politely to the
arguments). The Chair calls on each speaker in turn to address the audience, rules on
any points of order raised and, at the end of the debate, calls upon the Adjudicator to
announce the result. After the announcement, the Chair thanks the Adjudicator, the
debaters, and the audience, then closes the debate.
Timekeeper: This person keeps the speaking times of the debaters and announces
them at the conclusion of each speech, for the Adjudicator to record on the marking
sheet. The timekeeper signals when the speaker has 30 seconds remaining to speak
(usually with a single bell-ring, or by tapping out an agreed signal), and then signals
again when the speaking time is up. If necessary, an additional signal will be given to
stop an over-length speech.
Adjudicator: Usually one person, but sometimes two. The Adjudicator's job is to judge
the debate, and to decide which team has presented the more successful argument on
the moot. It is usual for the Adjudicator to make a short speech summing up admirable
or problematic aspects of the debate before announcing the winning team (and their
winning points), as well as declaring the Best Speaker of the debate.
Audience: The Audience is also essential to a debate. The speakers present their
arguments to convince the audience, who should listen politely and may respond with
laughter and applause when points are made. It is not usual in school debates to allow
interjections or heckling from the audience during the debate.
Key debating terms
To define the moot: To say what the team line is on the moot. This is the task of the First
Speaker of the Affirmative Team, and it involves identifying the dictionary definition of the key
terms, or clarifying the common-sense meaning of the keywords as they will be used in the
team's case.
Argument: An idea, based on fact or opinion, which is used by debating speakers to
support, attack, or defend the team's point of view on the moot. Arguments are most
effective, of course, if they are backed up with some evidence.
Rebuttal: The technical term "rebuttal" is used to describe the rejection of what has been
said by the previous speaker. This forms an important part of the team's case in arguing
against their opponents. All speakers, except the First Affirmative Speaker (who defines the
moot), begin their speeches by seeking to rebut points made by the speaker before them.
Leader's Reply: When all three speakers have presented their arguments on the moot, the
Team Leader on each side is given the right to make a final submission. It is the last chance
to summarise the team's line of argument on the moot, and to make any final rebuttal of the
opposing team's arguments. The Negative Leader replies first, the Affirmative Leader
concludes the debate.
Speaking Time: Speaking times are decided before the debate. The times set for each
speaker are usually between 4 and 10 minutes, depending on the level of the debating
competition. Times for School and impromptu debates may be set between 3 and 5 minutes
per speaker. It is usual for the Leader's Reply speech (Affirmative and Negative) to be set at
half the ordinary Speaking Time.
Point of Order: A Point of Order is the name given to an interruption by a team member to
point out that the opposing team has broken the "rules of debate". The Chair must then
decide to uphold or reject the Point of Order. Making decisions like this is difficult for the
Chair and many school debates do not therefore allow Points of Order. They tend to slow
down and fragment the debate for the audience.
Peroration: This is the technical word for the summing up of a speaker's arguments in a
debate. It should be a brief and clear restatement of the points made in the body of the
speech.
Preparing a debate
If you are asked to participate in a debate, there are a number of steps you can take to
ensure your team presents a sound case.
1. At your first team meeting:

Check that you know exactly what the moot is and what case you will be
presenting

Brainstorm and pool your ideas on the moot

Think about both positive and negative arguments as they will help you make
your own case and prepare you to counter your opponents' case

Look up dictionary definitions of the words of the moot

Do some research to help provide background material for your case
2. At the next team meeting:

Divide your initial ideas up into two groups - those for your case, and those
against your case (you will then be ready to argue and to rebut)

Divide your whole case up into three parts and decide who will be your First,
Second and Third speakers

Discuss the arguments you can make to present a strong unified case i.e. help
each other with ideas
3. Go away and prepare your individual debating speeches:

Keep in mind which speaker you are, and prepare your material accordingly

Format your speech with an introduction, body of points and a conclusion

Remember that (unless you are First Affirmative Speaker) you need to leave
room for rebuttal

Write your speech out in full if you need to, then prepare cue cards for use in the
debate.

Make a brief summary, for the others, of the points in your speech, so that they
will know what you intend to say

Practise your speech under timed conditions, remembering that you are likely to
speed up your delivery in front of an audience
4. Meet with your team members to discuss progress:

Check you are all keeping the same line of argument

Look at the summary of each other's speeches so you do not duplicate material

Be prepared to share ideas to improve your team's case

Look for the links in your arguments so that each speaker can build on the
previous speaker's arguments
5. Meet again to run through your speeches:

Check that you are all ready for the debate

Discuss the possible arguments against your case, so that you will be ready for
them in the debate

Prepare some rebuttal arguments so that you can incorporate them into your
speech during the debate

Check that you have reduced your speech notes to the main ideas for your cue
cards

Practise your speech. Find a good strong opening statement, and prepare a
convincing concluding statement
6. On debating day:

Get there early

Support your fellow team members

Use your speaking skills to advantage

Enjoy the debate!
Room layout for a debate
The debating teams sit behind tables facing the audience.
 First Speaker sits nearest the Chair, then Second, then Third.
 The Chair sits behind a table facing the audience.


The Adjudicator sits at a table at the back of the audience.
The Timekeeper usually sits in the front row of the audience.
Each speaker, when called, moves forward to the centre of the room. The speaker stands in
front of the Chairperson to address the audience.
The roles of the speakers
Listed in the order of speeches:
Affirmative Team Leader

Introduces and defines the meaning of the moot

Outlines the team's case and indicates the aspects of the topic to be dealt with by
each member of the Affirmative

Presents the first part of the team's case

Concludes with a summary of main points - the peroration
Negative Team Leader
o
Gives the Negative team's definition of the moot. Accepts, rejects or modifies the
definition given by the First Affirmative speaker
o
Rebuts any major points of the Affirmative case
o
Outlines the Negative case, and indicates the parts of the topic each member of
the Negative team will deal with
o
Presents the first part of the Negative case
o
Concludes with a summary of main points - the peroration
Second Affirmative Speaker

Rebuts points made by the First Negative speaker

Presents the major part of the Affirmative team's argument

Concludes with a summary of main points - the peroration
Second Negative Speaker
o
Rebuts points made by the Second Affirmative speaker
o
Presents the major part of the Negative team's argument
o
Concludes with a summary of main points - the peroration
Third Affirmative Speaker

Rebuts points made by the First and Second Negative speakers

Completes the Affirmative team's case

Summarises the Affirmative team's case overall

Concludes with a strong and convincing statement on the moot
Third Negative Speaker

Rebuts points made by the First and Second Affirmative speakers

Completes the Negative team's case

Summarises the Negative team's case overall

Concludes with a strong and convincing statement to show that the Affirmative
case is unsound
Negative Team Leader - Reply

Summarises the Negative team's case. No new material can be introduced in the
Reply.

Identifies the Negative team's objections to the Affirmative team's case

Makes a forceful peroration to convince the audience (and adjudicator) of the
strength of the team's case

Ends with a strong denial of the moot
Affirmative Team Leader - Reply

Rebuts any major points of the Negative Team Leader's reply

Summarises the Affirmative team's case. No new material can be introduced in
the Reply

Identifies the Affirmative team's objections to the Negative team's case

Makes a forceful concluding peroration which ends with a strong statement of
support for the moot
Now it is all over to the Adjudicator to choose the winning team!
Source: http://www.scholarnet.co.nz/demo/esol/shell.php?content=debating.inc
Public speaking: some tips

If you can, practise speaking into a tape recorder. Play it back to yourself. See how
many words you slur, mumble, or mispronounce.

Always practise, but never memorize. Use of speech cards should be kept to a
minimum.

Stress the important issues by pausing and/or increasing your volume.

Gesture naturally, or not at all. Never force gestures.

Use vocal variety. Don’t speak in a monotone.

Speak clearly, slowly, distinctly.

Make sure that you have adequate volume.

Remember to look at the audience, your opponent, and the judge - establish eye
contact.

Watch nervous mannerisms, like playing with your hair, or tapping your pencil on the
desk.

Remember to relax.
Place and people
The Horizons Region...

covers 10 local authorities, seven completely within its boundaries

covers 22,215 sq km of land, 8.1% of New Zealand’s land area

includes 160 km of coastline, with the Tasman Sea to the west and Pacific Ocean to
the east

Horizons’ jurisdiction extends 12 nautical miles out to sea

is home to approximately 220,089 people.
The Horizons Region