Premier Advanced Premier Junior Advanced Open February 2012

Debating in Premier and Advanced Grades Advised topics –Advanced Open Round 1 –Premier Junior Round 1 Limited preparation –All other Rounds You will have external accredited adjudicators

Limited Preparation You have one hour. Use that time wisely Work as a team - the case outline is the responsibility of the whole team Make sure you discuss all aspects of your case so all speakers are familiar with it Development of speech structure – do NOT write out your speech A speaker who does not speak to time usually hasn’t made the best use of the preparation time

Do the basics well! Context/Case set up –Present a logical context to the debate –Do NOT provide a dictionary definition –Do NOT engage in definitional challenges unless completely unreasonable Structure –Tell the adjudicator what you will cover –Deal with your points logically

Do the basics well! Approach to rebuttal –You can do this separately, or integrate with your substantive (but you must do it!) –Focus on the major points of the opposition case Analysis –Introduce your point. Explain it. Back it up with evidence. Tell the adjudicator why the point is relevant and why it advances your case –Provide examples that are current and relevant –Do NOT use analogies or anecdotes or assertions

How do I structure a debate? Status quo/change debate –Eg THW reinstate the youth wage –Eg THW make blood donation compulsory Judgement debate –Eg THBT reality TV has done more harm than good –Eg THS the Auckland Super City

Status quo/change debate Role of the affirmative Problem –What needs changing and why? Solution –How should the problem be solved? What is the solution expected to achieve? Model –How is the solution to be put in place? –Does your model have unintended consequences? Causal links –How will the solution solve the problem?

Status quo/change debate Role of the negative team Problem – has one been identified? Is it the right problem? Are there other problems? Is the problem really that significant? Solution – make sure the affirmative team have one. Model – do you have enough detail to know how it will work? Are there any key aspects missing? Is it practical? Causal links - Does the model/solution address the problem identified by the affirmative team? Does it really bring about any change? Will the model actually make things worse or have other consequences?

Judgement debate Role of the affirmative Definition –What is the issue/topic you are making a judgment on? Criteria –Decide how the judgment is to be made –What needs to be proved for the judgment to be true Analysis –Provide analysis that enables you to prove the judgement you identified

Judgement debate Role of the negative Criteria –Evaluate the affirmative criteria –Offer alternative criteria Analysis –Engage with the analysis of the affirmative –Offer competing analysis

Points of Information POIs offer a chance to question a speaker during their speech It is not a chance for rebuttal It is not a chance to have a conversation with the speaker To offer – stand up and say “point of information”. Wait to be accepted (or declined) Only between 1 and 7 minutes (or 1 and 5 for Premier Junior) Offer at least 2 each per speech. Accept no more than two Be courteous

What topics will I debate? Moots will often be topical – be aware of current events –Social Policy –Politics –Justice –Human Rights –International Relations –Economics –Health Issues –Sporting Policy Resources –The ASD website Moot Bank Useful Sites –Newspapers, the News, current affairs shows –TV shows like Q & A, Backbenches, The Court Report, Parliament TV