Decorum in Debate That What's and What-Not-To- Dos

Lesson Concept In debating the most important aspect is arguing the issue. In debating the most important aspect is arguing the issue. In order to be an effective arguer students must learn how to use decorum to have a CIVILIZED and well thought out debate… In order to be an effective arguer students must learn how to use decorum to have a CIVILIZED and well thought out debate…

The BIG Picture In order to have civil and safe debates in class, students MUST learn that although many of our topics are going to be hot button issues, you still need to keep your cool and remain CALM…

How to Act During a Debate As people we often argue with one another every day. As people we often argue with one another every day. Whether it’s with parents or friends, this can be a form of debating. Whether it’s with parents or friends, this can be a form of debating. Trying to persuade another person to take your side of the argument happens all the time… Trying to persuade another person to take your side of the argument happens all the time…

How to Act During a Debate Often, these arguments can become heated. Often, these arguments can become heated. This needs to be prevented when dealing with a formal debate. This needs to be prevented when dealing with a formal debate.

Parliamentary Debate Debate Format – three debaters on each side. One side will be the affirmative and the other the negative. Debate Format – three debaters on each side. One side will be the affirmative and the other the negative. Even though debates can be inspiring, they can also evoke emotions from the audience and the speakers. This can often lead to passionate, angry fighting. Even though debates can be inspiring, they can also evoke emotions from the audience and the speakers. This can often lead to passionate, angry fighting.

Question for Thought When debating what should we do differently from the video(s)? When debating what should we do differently from the video(s)?

Journaling Write about a time where you lost your cool during an argument. What triggered you? Did you wish you could have played it better in the argument? How could you have acted differently? Explain… Write about a time where you lost your cool during an argument. What triggered you? Did you wish you could have played it better in the argument? How could you have acted differently? Explain…

How to Avoid Emotional Outbursts in Debate 1. Avoid emotionally-charged words, such as: 1. Avoid emotionally-charged words, such as: Liberal Liberal Conservative Conservative All derogatory names for races, sexual preferences, ethnic groups, or religions All derogatory names for races, sexual preferences, ethnic groups, or religions Baby killer Baby killer Socialist Socialist Fascist Fascist Retarded Retarded

How to Avoid Emotional Outbursts in Debate 2. Avoid offensive language or assumptions 2. Avoid offensive language or assumptions EX: “Women are more emotional than men, so they can’t understand or handle it…” EX: “Women are more emotional than men, so they can’t understand or handle it…” EX: “Rich people don’t like the idea of welfare, because they think they are paying for it.” EX: “Rich people don’t like the idea of welfare, because they think they are paying for it.” EX: “They are white/black so they couldn’t possibly understand.” EX: “They are white/black so they couldn’t possibly understand.”

3. Avoid clear bias 3. Avoid clear bias EX: Some news websites are bias to one side. CNN is a conservative news channel, so their information will be bias for liberal views. EX: Some news websites are bias to one side. CNN is a conservative news channel, so their information will be bias for liberal views. How to Avoid Emotional Outbursts in Debate

4. Don’t ridicule your opponent EX: “That idea was stupid!”

How to Avoid Emotional Outbursts in Debate 5. Avoid negative body language, such as: Eye rolling Turning your back to the opposing speaker Blatantly laughing at them

Definition Ad Hominem - An ad hominem (Latin for "to the man" or "to the person"), short for argumentum ad hominem, means responding to arguments by attacking a person's character, rather than to the content of their arguments. When used inappropriately, it is a misleading notion in which a claim or argument is discharged on the basis of some irrelevant fact or belief about the author or the person being criticized. Ad Hominem - An ad hominem (Latin for "to the man" or "to the person"), short for argumentum ad hominem, means responding to arguments by attacking a person's character, rather than to the content of their arguments. When used inappropriately, it is a misleading notion in which a claim or argument is discharged on the basis of some irrelevant fact or belief about the author or the person being criticized.

How to Avoid Emotional Outbursts in Debate 6. Do not interrupt a speaker, unless you are the questioner during a rebuttal. 6. Do not interrupt a speaker, unless you are the questioner during a rebuttal.

How to Avoid Emotional Outbursts in Debate 7. When presenting, make eye contact with your audience. When asking quesitons during the questioning period, make eye contact with the opposition, because this is when you should be actively listening and gathering more information for later rebuttals…

How to Avoid Emotional Outbursts in Debate 8. Do not wear hats, coats, or sunglasses while presenting. 8. Do not wear hats, coats, or sunglasses while presenting. Also, make sure to dress appropriately!!! Also, make sure to dress appropriately!!!

9. Do not talk while the other team is presenting! Instead, listen, take notes and discuss them with your team later when the mediator gives you time to confer. 9. Do not talk while the other team is presenting! Instead, listen, take notes and discuss them with your team later when the mediator gives you time to confer. How to Avoid Emotional Outbursts in Debate

10. When the mediator calls “TIME”, you must stop speaking and be seated. 10. When the mediator calls “TIME”, you must stop speaking and be seated.

Partner Assignment Flipboards/flipcharts – you and your partner are to design an informative flipboard/flipchart that would effectively inform a new debater about the rules of etiquette. Things that will be looked for are accurate information, creativity, neatness and organization, spelling and mechanics, and accessibility!!! Flipboards/flipcharts – you and your partner are to design an informative flipboard/flipchart that would effectively inform a new debater about the rules of etiquette. Things that will be looked for are accurate information, creativity, neatness and organization, spelling and mechanics, and accessibility!!!