Debate Format Grade 9 English Language Arts Ms Snow May 2015

Opening Arguments  5 minute maximum  The purpose of the opening argument is to present your position on the issue you are debating (Supporting side goes first)  The purpose IS NOT to discuss how the other side is wrong, but how your side is RIGHT (you should not mention the opposition at all)  This is the only opportunity you have to present your case and provide evidence

Work Time  With your partner, team, or on your own, begin drafting your opening argument  You need to make sure your ideas and points are organized and all support your position  Put your strongest reasons at the beginning and end  Time yourself – you should be close to, but not over, the 5 minute mark

How to word your argument opening and transition between points  When you begin your opening argument, you should have an opening line that clearly states your position on the issue/topic.  For example: We strongly oppose/support…  When you transition from point to point, you need to be clear that you are making a new point  For example: The most important reason we believe/think OR Another reason we OR We would argue that OR Furthermore OR We would ask that you consider…

Opening Argument Timeline  I will read the resolution statement for the debate  Supporting side will present their opening argument (5 min max)  Opposing side will have a chance to ask any clarifying questions (no challenge at this point) 2 min max  Opposing side will present their opening argument (5 min max)  Supporting side will have a change to ask any clarifying questions (no challenge at this point) 2 min max  3 minute work period – each team will have 3 minutes to collect their thoughts and come up with a response/challenge to discredit their opposition

Next Step  As you prepare for your debate, you need to anticipate what the other side is going to argue and be prepared to challenge it and provide an alternative in your favour  With your partner, group, or on your own, make a rough list of what you anticipate the other side will say and prepare information/stats/points to counter

After the “Work Period”  Once the 3 minute work period is over, the debate resumes  Supporting side will have 3 minutes to challenge what the opposing side claims and to respond to claims made in the opposing side’s opening arguments  Opposing side will have 1 minute to respond ONLY to information presented in the 3 minute challenge  Opposing side will have 3 minutes to challenge what the supporting side claims and to respond to claims make in the supporting side’s opening arguments  Supporting side will have 1 minute to respond ONLY to information presented in the 3 minute challenge

Closing  2 minute work period – formulate a conclusion. YOU CANNOT INTRODUCE NEW MATERIAL IN THE CLOSING, but you can include any points made by EITHER side during the debate. Your closing should be somewhat planned before hand. However, you may want to leave some space and time to include anything that comes up from the debate that you feel strengthens your position  Closing statements  Supporting side – 1 minute  Opposing side – 1 minute

What you should have prepared beforehand…  Outline/draft of your opening argument  Points you anticipate you will need for the challenge  Outline of closing statement  Any notes or information you would like to have/consult/quote/refer to. YOU WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO ANYTHING OTHER THAN YOUR NOTES! No tech!