Debate Chapter 13 Pages 414-439

Debate vs. Discussion Debate Discussion - Contest between 2 opposing points of view - Neutral 3rd party (judge or jury) renders the final decision Discussion - Utilizes cooperation to arrive at decisions - Discussion groups, themselves, make decisions by consensus, compromise, or majority vote

Debate Debate is restricted to issues that have only 2 sides Debate issues are stated in the form of a proposition Ex: “Resolved, that more on-site job experience be incorporated into high school curriculum.”

A well-rounded formal debate proposition has several features… It is worded (IIW) as a statement, not a question IIW to permit only for and against response IIW so that each side has an equal opportunity to argue its position successfully, not slanted to favor one side IIW to address a current, controversial issue IIW to call for a change from current policy IIW using specific, concrete language that does not make judgments about the topic

The Opposing Sides Affirmative Negative - The side in the debate upholding the proposition being debated; has the task of attacking the status quo and arguing for a specific change in policy Negative - The side in the debate that supports the status quo or denies or attacks the affirmative position

Preparing to Debate…

1. Analyze the Proposition Define the terms of the debate Identify the issues - What are the major points of the disagreement? - What key arguments can be made?

2. Build a Case Case – The team’s total argument on the proposition set in writing 1. Brief – A full outline of the case in complete sentences I. Main heads – Major issues A. Subheads – Evidence and proof to support the issue 1. Subheads – Specific examples 2. Evidence Cards – One note card labeled with each major issue - Proof and support - Quotations, examples, and statistics - Citation of sources

3. Work with Partner Usually 2 person teams Plan strategy, decide major issues, write the brief, rehearse Anticipate the arguments of the other team, and know how you will handle unexpected points brought up by the opposition During the debate, do not disagree with your partner - Everything you say should be in agreement with your partner’s presentation

4. Support Your Case - Logos Evidence - Quotations, statistics, examples - Cite the source of the evidence you find Reasoning - Forming logical conclusions from evidence

Types of Reasoning… Induction – Reasoning from specific facts or cases to general principals Deduction – Reasoning from general principals to specific cases Cause to Effect – Reasoning from what began something to its result Effect to Cause – Reasoning from a result back to what started it Analogy – A comparison, prove the truth of something by showing its similarity to something else

Formats Lincoln-Douglas Format: - Named for a famous debate between senatorial candidates Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas

Formats Standard Format – 2 different kinds of speeches made by each of the 2 speakers on each team 1. Constructive – Speech used to present & develop the major points of a team’s case 2. Rebuttal – Speech whose purpose is to refute the opposition’s major argument.

Formats Cross-Examination Format: - Provides for questioning the opposing teams following each constructive speech - A member of the opposing team attempts to expose weaknesses in each speaker’s argument by asking questions for the speaker to answer - This is the format we will use (Page 432)

The Opposition Look for weaknesses in the opposition’s evidence (Page 436) - Are the sources reliable? Watch out for faulty reasoning (Page 437) - Are there enough solid examples? (induction) - Have they considered enough reasonable alternatives? (deduction)

The Opposition Take notes and use a flow sheet (Page 438) - Flow sheet - A summary outline of how the arguments on each side are progressing Make effective use of cross-examination

The Opposition Speak Persuasively - Convince the judge, not your opponents - Be familiar with the evidence; Will help help you make eye-contact with the judge - Don’t talk too fast - Don’t forget the value of gestures, platform movement, & facial expression; Be forceful - Maintain vocal expression – Gives impact to the message - Don’t get angry with opponents. Don’t personally attack them – Stick to the issues!