Debate

Proposition Choice American citizens should be required to pass a parenting class before having children (Proposition of policy) Affirmative: Caleb, Kira, McKenna, Kelsey Negative: Mav, Cole, Tori

Informal Debates Personal Disagreements and Arguments People debating themselves (making a decision) Make a pro/con list Disagreements and Arguments Friendly, Heated, Serious, Amusing Give reasons and evidence

Informal Debates Group Discussion Organizations and Meetings List reasons/ evidence as a group. Group favors one position over another. Some members of the group are more persuasive than others. Organizations and Meetings Brainstorming and problem solving

Advantages of Debate Career: Helping Others: Need to impress or persuade others at your job. Your coworkers will challenge you! Helping Others: To make decisions. Argue for those who can’t argue for themselves.

Advantages of Debate As a Voter As a Citizen Need to evaluate arguments of candidates. Need to recognize who is more prepared, logical, quick-thinking. As a Citizen Form of community service. Help find solutions to problems

Formal Debate Terminology Proposition: A statement of the fact to be debated. State a fact, belief, or recommendation. Resolution: Begins with the word resolved. It is a formal statement of opinion, and it does NOT change the proposition. Affirmative/ Negative: Yes/ True or No/False. Proving a statement either true or false.

Formal Debate Terminology Status Quo: “state in which” – existing conditions or the way things are now. Burden of Proof: The duty or responsibility to prove something. In formal debate, it’s the responsibility of the debater proving the affirmative. In court, it’s the prosecution. Argument: A reason for favoring a particular side; there are multiple arguments in a case.

Formal Debate Terminology Evidence: Information that helps prove something in the form of stats, facts, reports, quotes, etc. Case/ Constructive: Combination of arguments and evidence, organized to be as convincing as possible. Brief: Outline of affirmative/ negative.

Formal Debate Terminology Refute: To show something is wrong; prove it false. Rebuttal: Speech that contradictions an earlier refute. How can you tell the difference? Refute – act of attacking the opponent’s argument (comes before the rebuttal). Rebuttal – act of countering your opponent’s attacks.

The Debate Process – Getting Started Every debate begins with a… topic. To make the issue debatable, you must write a proposition in the proper yes or no format. The proposition must focus on one part of the issue. The proposition must be clearly worded.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate Format https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kil18jPS0Tc Constructive – breakdown of argument and evidence. Cross-Examine – Chance to ask questions with a focus. Rebuttal – Responding to the cross-examination. Purpose is to give everyone an equal opportunity to make cases.

The Debate Process- Strategy Work hard to… gather evidence. Anticipate the opponents… Evidence and Arguments Build a sound case by Picking 3 or 4 strong reasons. Support with strong evidence Organize case logically. Listen closely to… what opponent says

The Debate Process- Strategy Find weaknesses… in opponent’s evidence and arguments Take notes to… keep track of your statements and opponents’ statements Speak… Clearly and logically (deliver is important!)

Possible Topics Should school uniforms be required? Should school dress codes be eliminated? Should students be allowed to use electronic devices during school? Should schools have block scheduling? Does the internet cause more harm than good? Should the death penalty be abolished? Is global warming a hoax?

Possible Topics Second languages in schools. Homework Students evaluate teachers Student use of laptops Separate boys and girls schools Year-round education Parenting classes before having a child Lowered voting age Paying a fine for not voting Smoking should be illegal Fined for not recycling Parents choosing the gender of their child