Successful Arguments Debate Teams

What are debate teams? Two teams oppose each other on a given topic. All debates are a “pro/con” situation. One team is “for” the topic and the other is “against.” Both teams present VALID arguments based on facts. Each member of the team has a specific job to do and responsibilities. Debate is, above all, a way for those who hold opposing views to discuss controversial issues without descending to insult, emotional appeals, or personal bias.

Why have debates? Debates empower youth to participate in the democratic process. Develops skills in students such as: research competence, reading comprehension, media and argument literacy, evidence evaluation, public speaking, and civility skills.

Definitions Proposition – the team that supports the topic; the “pro” team Opposition – the team that opposes the topic; the “con” team Rebuttal – a response to a statement made by either team Moderator or judge – the person who awards points to teams for valid arguments and decides on a resolution. Criterion – the assumption we make based on information given; always a pro or a con, never both. Contention – a statement with supporting ideas presented to the judge to depict a team’s stand on a topic.

Debate Formats Internet debates Karl Popper Debates Legislative debate Lincoln-Douglas debate Middle school debate Mock trial Cross-examination debate Public debate Public forum debate Team Parliamentary debate Limited preparation debate Impromptu speaking Extemporaneous speaking Platform speaking

Format for us: Middle School First Proposition Constructive 5 minutes First Opposition Constructive 5 minutes Second Proposition Constructive 5 minutes Second Opposition Constructive 5 minutes Opposition Rebuttal 3 minutes Proposition Rebuttal 3 minutes

Judgments Faulty logic – information presented was not logical Insufficient evidence – team failed to produce enough evidence to support their contention Overlooked – teams may leave out crucial parts to an argument Concede – the judge agrees completely with the proposition and makes resolutions based on their arguments Balance – the judge agrees with the arguments of both sides and makes resolutions based upon both arguments Black Swan – the judge agrees completely with the opposition and makes resolutions based on their arguments

Debate is not a forum for asserting absolute truths, but rather a means of making and evaluating arguments that allows debaters to better understand their own and others ’ positions. This sense of a shared journey toward the truth brings debaters closer together, even when they represent opposing sides of an issue or come from vastly different cultures or social classes. In so doing, debate fosters the essential democratic values of free and open discussion.