What is a debate

1. “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand.” – Colin Powell   A debate is a contest where two teams present their arguments intent on persuading one another. What is a debate?

2. Debates in the classroom Classroom debates develop such skills as: abstract thinking analytical thinking citizenship/ethics/etiquette clarity cross-examination/questioning point of view distinguishing fact from opinion identifying bias language usage organization persuasion public speaking research teamwork/cooperation

3. Basic terms Debate - a game in which two opposing teams make speeches to support their arguments and disagree with those of the other team. Resolution - the opinion about which two teams argue. Affirmative team - agrees with the resolution. Negative team - disagrees with the resolution. Rebuttal - explains why one team disagrees with the other team. Judges - decide the winner.

4. Procedure Affirmative team: argument 1 Negative team's rebuttal Affirmative team's response to rebuttal and open discussion Negative team: argument 1 Affirmative team's rebuttal Negative team's response to rebuttal and open discussion Affirmative team: argument 2 Negative team's rebuttal Affirmative team's response to rebuttal and open discussion Negative team: argument 2 Affirmative team's rebuttal Negative team's response to rebuttal and open discussion Affirmative team's closing comments Negative team's closing comments

5. Getting ready “Use soft words and hard arguments.” – English proverb Having an opinion isn't enough to be effective in a debate. You need to be able to have strong supporting materials for your side of the debate. Make sure you include relevant facts that many others would not have already known. The more related relevant facts you include the stronger your presentation becomes. Learn how to effectively communicate your positions. You may have a great position on a certain subject, but if you can't effectively communicate that to an audience it won't matter in a debate. Train yourself to fully respect the other debater . Even if you are completely convinced you are right, you must give the other person time to speak their mind as well. Prepare to have a rebuttal to the arguments that the other person will make. Many times you can know what they will say ahead of time and prepare yourself with facts that contradict their argument.

6. Useful language How to Agree You know, that’s exactly what I think. I agree entirely. True enough. Oh, definitely. That’s a good point. I couldn’t agree more. Yes, that’s quite true, but … That’s just what I was thinking How to Disagree That’s not the way I see it. There may be something in what you say but… I’ve got some reasons to disagree. I’m not at all convinced… To be honest, I don’t think that’s true. I know what you are saying, but… That may be true, but … I can’t agree with you there, I still think … That’s one way of looking at it. But … I can’t say that I share your view. I see things rather differently. How to Ask for More Information Can you explain that? What do you mean exactly? Could you give me an example? Could you be more specific? Would you mind saying a little bit more about that? Do you really think that … Could you explain what you mean by … How to Persuade Someone You must admit that … Do you really believe that … Don’t you agree that … What you don’t seem to understand is that … (Oh,) come on, … I’II tell you what … I was wondering if you’d ever thought of… Don’t you think…

7. Evaluation criteria Respect for other team Information Rebuttal Use of f acts/ s tatistics Organization Understanding of topic Presentation style Language

8. Resources http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson304.shtml http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Krieger-Debate.html http://www.ehow.com/how_4490531_prepare-debate.html http://www.triviumpursuit.com/speech_debate/what_is_debate.htm http://course1.winona.edu/shatfield/air/classdebate.pdf