Debating Some basics

the basic block of a DEBATE An argument is an idea or statement which we want the others to believe which we want to prove to be right or better than some other argument the basic block of a DEBATE

An assertation is a statement that states a fact without giving reasons or evidence why we should accept the fact. for example: The internet is dangerous. Is it? How can you prove this?

The A-R-E components Basically, each argument is composed of Assertion Reasoning Evidence Examples on the following slides

Assertation The internet is dangerous.

Reasoning The internet is dangerous because it is easy to spread criminal ideas over it.

Evidence The internet is dangerous because it is easy to spread criminal ideas using it. The high figures of viewing any video with evil intent on YouTube strongly point to this effect.

Debate A debate emerges when an argument is supported and opposed. A formal debate has a team in support of the argument + a team against the argument.

Motion In a formal debate the assertation is called a motion. Formulated like this, for example: This house believes that people benefit from the use of the Internet.

Definition The motion needs to be defined to make sure the debaters have interpreted the motion in the same way. Example: This house believes that people benefit from the use of the Internet. Team for the motion: we understand benefit here to be positive effects to individuals, like learning.

Rebuttal If argument is the basic block of a debate, rebuttal is the goal of it. Rebuttal means finding fault in the opponent’s argumentation and disagreeing with it

Rebuttal 2 Example: You say the Internet is beneficial. I disagree. In my opinion the internet is a bad influence on any user. MERE REBUTTAL

Developing the rebuttal In my opinion the internet is a bad influence on any user because it contains so much harmful material. REASONING

Developing the rebuttal 2 In my opinion the internet is a bad influence on any user because it contains so much harmful material. This harmful material can be advertising, criminal material or any kind of crazy material. EVIDENCE

Example of a rebutting speech Why is advertising harmful? Ladies and gentlemen, are you happy with the pop-ups on a web-page? Of course not. They are annoying. But let me convince you that they are also harmful. They are harmful because they affect us unconsciously and make us want things we don’t need. In brief, they create consumerism. Strategies: DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE AUDIENCE REPETITION

Example of a rebutting speech 2 My second point is that the internet is harmful because of criminal material. In fact, the word harmful is too weak here. We should be talking about danger, not harm. The existence of anarchistic plans to overturn democratic governments, the existence of bomb recipes, the existence of terrorist networks all prove my point conclusively. ORDER REPETITION FORCEFUL

Example of a rebutting speech 3 My third point is that the the internet is harmful because of any kind of crazy material. What do I mean by crazy material? I mean all the bizarre, mad, lunatic content that any wacko can post in the internet. I talk about pornography, about racist pages, about videos made in bad taste. ORDER RHETORICAL QUESTION SYNONYMS EXAMPLES

Example of a rebutting speech 4 Ladies and gentlemen, I repeat that the internet is harmful because of advertising, criminal content and any crazy material. All this is a result of the open character of the net. What I’m saying is that the net is unconcontrolled and uncontrollable. The world is full of people who wish to spread evil. The internet has made it all too easy for them. RECAPITULATING DEVELOPING THE ARGUMENT

Example of a rebutting speech 5 The team for the motion has argued for the beneficial effects of the internet but their case is weak when compared to the evidence to the opposite I have put before you. Thank you. REBUTTAL STRONG CONCLUDING REMARK

Winning a debate The logic of the argumentation, the use of language, rapport with the audience, the whole performance determine the outcome To sum up: the team that is more convincing wins