DEBATING
The keys to successful debating are
 Persuasion, and
 A logical and clear speech
What a debate looks like:
A formal debate consists of two teams each containing 3 speakers. The
Affirmative team agrees with the topic and the Negative Team disagrees
with the topic.
For every debate you also need an adjudicator to judge the debate and a
chair-person and /or time-keeper to keep the speakers on time.
Each team takes it in turn to speak, starting with the Affirmative team. You
cannot interrupt during a debate and you must keep to your set time (usually 3
minutes for Junior Debaters).
The role of each Speaker:
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It is very important that each speaker in any debating
team fulfils their specific role!
1ST AFFIRMATIVE SPEAKER
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Sets the context of the debate – it is the 1st speakers job to
tell the audience why this is a debate worth listening to and
to introduce your team’s main idea (often called the “team
line”).
To provide a definition of the topic –the 1st speaker needs
to explain what the topic actually refers to e.g. stars - which
ones: movie stars or in the sky? This can also be done
using a model. (discussed in more detail under the heading
“Definitions” overleaf )
Introduce the team (this is called the ‘team split’) – tell the
audience what you and your 2nd speaker will be talking
about, the 3rd speaker always does the same thing so you
don’t need to introduce them
Present your main argument
Conclude your speech
The role of each Speaker (continued):
1ST NEGATIVE SPEAKER
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Gives your teams’ context for the debate – you should
try to include rebuttal here if you can and show why
the other teams’ context may be incorrect. It is the 1 st
negative speaker’s job to tell the audience why their team’s
case is worthier than the affirmative teams. You must also
introduce your team’s team line
Definition – generally you will just agree with the Affirmative
team’s definition
Present your team line or the model your team will present
as their solution to the topic
Team split
Rebuttal – identify the arguments presented by the other
team’s 1st speaker and refute them
Your main arguments
Conclusion
2ND AFFIRMATIVE SPEAKER and 2ND NEGATIVE SPEAKER
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Introduction - restate your team line and introduce the
focus of your argument
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Rebuttal – pick 2 or 3 main arguments and refute these;
try not to argue with examples it is a waste of time
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Arguments
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Conclusion
3RD AFFIRMATIVE SPEAKER and 3RD NEGATIVE SPEAKER
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Rebuttal – refute all the arguments of the opposition if you can. Try to
refute arguments in themes, grouping similar arguments together.
Conclusion
More about definitions:
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A definition is just explaining what the topic is about
As the Affirmative Team you have the right to define the topic. You
should use a commonsense definition. The Negative team must agree
with your definition or risk a non-debate.
Choose the most sensible definition look at the “context” (often current
issues) of the debate and “the spirit of the motion”
How to come up with your definition
1. define any ambiguous terms e.g. stars movie/in the sky
2. Decide who “we” is, as in “We should…” it could be the population, the
government, parents etc.
3. The first Affirmative speaker may define specific words in the topic,
again use commonsense not a dictionary!
4. you might use a model – this means explaining who or what is affected
by the topic and why this is sensible. You need to use solid arguments
and a good central idea to support your debate.
Arguments:
There are 3 main parts to every argument:
1. the main idea
2. the reason why this is a good idea
3. finally, the evidence that supports your argument
Learning to argue well is the key to successful debating and to your becoming the
most persuasive speaker, the best way to learn is to have fun and practice!!!