FORMAL DEBATE UNIT
THE TOOLS NEEDED TO BE
SUCCESSFUL IN FORMAL
DEBATING
FRIEND OR FOE
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“Debate is the art of pleasant
disagreement” Jake Hoover—former
debate coach
Enemies quarrel to destroy one another
while friends debate among themselves
for their better instruction. (A paraphrase
from the words of Plato)
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Debate is a formal type of argument
designed to test the merits of a particular
conclusion or solution
It avoids personality clashes
 There is a difference between “arguing down” a
friend and “arguing with” a friend
 Formal debates are commonly used in educational
settings
 Debates do exist in the “real world”
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Lawyers debate in courts
Legislators debate in the House and Senate
Political candidates debate on television
You debate with a friend or a teacher
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ISSUE—The subject of a debate
PROPOSITION—The focus of a debate. It is in the form
of a carefully worded statement that indicates the
particular position being supported by the affirmative
side.
Propositions start off like this: Resolved: That
Following the “That” is a clear, concise statement of the
conclusion that one side wants accepted
5 Rules For Phrasing Propositions
1.
2.
Statement should focus on central idea.
Should be affirmative in intent.
--Topic should be phrased so that the
affirmative side will be supporting a
change in the status quo (way things are
now).
--Example could be—Resolved: That the
President of the United States should
hold office for one six-year term.
5 Rules of Propositions cont.
3. Proposition should be stated affirmatively.
--Negative statements are confusing.
--The affirmative argues for
--The Negative side argues against
--Example of a confusing proposition could
be—Resolved: That the United States not
legalize marijuana for any purposes,
medical, social, or personal.
5 Rules of Propositions cont.
4. Proposition should be stated in neutral
language.
---No heavily loaded emotional terminology
because this gives one side an unreasonable
advantage and the other a near impossible task.
---For example—Resolved: That no United States
citizen should die from lack of sufficient medical
care.
---A less loaded statement—Resolved: That the
federal government should provide essential
medical care to all citizens at public expense.
5 Rules of Propositions cont.
5. Proposition should be phrased clearly and
precisely.
--This is like having a persuasive thesis
--Always be specific in word choice
--Avoid generalizations and being too
broad or vague
--For example—Resolved: That there
ought to be some changes made around
our school. (Too vague—No specifics)
MORE SAMPLE PROPOSITIONS
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Resolved: That Congress should take
action to outlaw the manufacture and sale
of handguns.
Resolved: That coal mining should be
abolished in the United States
Resolved: That the United States should
discontinue foreign aid.
PRACTICE WHAT YOU’VE LEARNED
**How are these propositions improperly phrased?
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Resolved: That alimony payments should not be done
away with in divorce decisions.
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Resolved: That our community should spend more on
public education and renovating downtown.
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Resolved: That math not be required for high school
graduation.
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Resolved: That the United States Constitution should be
amended.
Resolved: That those inconsiderate, sloppy citizens who
thoughtlessly litter our streets be sentenced to one day’s
service with the city sanitation department for each
violation.
3 Types of Propositions
A.
PROPOSITION OF FACT—A statement
that something is true.
--Resolved: That John Doe killed Joe Doe
--Resolved: That state employment
practices are discriminatory.
--POF requires you to demonstrate
objectively that something exists, is true,
or did happen.
3 TYPES OF PROPOSTIONS
B. PROPOSITION OF VALUE—Statements based on
value judgments, beliefs, and opinions
--Resolved: That the United States’ Government
is superior to any other.
--Resolved: That a woman’s place is in the
home.
--Resolved: That Ben Roethlisberger is a better
quarterback than Jake Delhomme.
**The affirmative side would be required to first
explain their criteria or definitions for what
superior and woman’s place means.
3 TYPES OF PROPOSITIONS
C. PROPOSITION OF POLICY—Statements
which call for some particular action to be
taken in the future. (You will debate this
type of proposition)
---Resolved: That smoking in public places
should be illegal.
---Resolved: That physical education class
should be an optional elective instead of a
mandatory requirement for graduation.
DECIDING ON A TOPIC
1. ASK QUESTIONS SUCH AS
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What school problems would make good
debate topics?
What problems exist in your community that
you would like to debate?
What problems are currently being debated in
your state legislature? In the US Congress?
Proposition of Fact, Value, or Policy? Choose
the correct one for the following propositions:
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Resolved: That many movies rated PG are worse
than most rated R.
Resolved: That Congress should take action to
outlaw the manufacture and sale of handguns.
Resolved: That smoking is a sin.
Resolved: That smoking is harmful to your
health.
Resolved: That contributions of minorities have
been ignored in most history texts.
Resolved: That nuclear power generation is as
safe as conventional fossil fuel.
Propositions of Policy should be
1. About a current problem
--Information on outdated topics aren’t very
enlightening for debaters or audience
2. Topics should also be controversial.
--If everyone agrees, there is no need for debate
3. Should be based on a complex issue
--It’s ridiculous to debate an issue that hinges on
easily obtainable facts.
--Topics should require lots of research and time
involved
CHOOSING A TOPIC
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Evaluate each of your group’s suggested
topics in terms of the topics being current,
controversial, and complex. (The 3 C’s)
Pick 5 topics and phrase them as
propositions of policy. Which do you think
would make the most interesting debate
and why?
OTHER EXAMPLES OF DEBATES
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LITERARY DEBATE
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Can deal with Props of fact, value, or policy
One of fact might seek to establish real authorship of
works such as Shakespeare being the real playwright
of his plays
One of value might be a debate on the merits of
reading Ray Bradbury over the merits of reading Kurt
Vonnegut, Jr.
One of policy might focus on what kinds of literature
should be emphasized in English class.
Think of a recent film that may have controversial
content that may be beneficial to use in a debate
Think of a story or book that may be used in debate
OTHER EXAMPLES OF DEBATE
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HISTORICAL DEBATE
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Pick a topic of historical importance
One of value may deal with the pros and cons
of decisions of Truman to drop atomic bombs
on Hiroshima or the decision of the Soviet
Union to exile author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Think of historical events that might be
interesting topics to debate
GETTING YOUR GROUP STARTED
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There will be groups of 4 and 1-2 of 5 depending
on the class numbers
Students will brainstorm possible ideas—have at
least 5
Students will narrow topic by Friday
Students will begin working on completing
proposition worksheet on Friday to be turned in at
end of class on Friday or no later than Monday
Group propositions have to be approved by
teacher
Groups will split into affirmative and negative sides
SUMMARY OF PART I
1.
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Have one central idea
Be affirmative in intent
Be stated affirmatively
Be stated in neutral language
Be phrased clearly and precisely
Proposition of Fact; of Value; of Policy
Prop of Policy to be 3 Cs
Literary and Historical Debates