A-206 The Debaters Let’s Get it ON!

Introducing the Debate What is a debate? What is a debate? Debating is not just having an argument. Debating is not just having an argument. It involves skills such as research, preparation, teamwork, speaking skills, and persuasion. It involves skills such as research, preparation, teamwork, speaking skills, and persuasion. There are rules for the way the debate is organized, and the kind of arguments you may use. There are rules for the way the debate is organized, and the kind of arguments you may use.

What makes a topic debatable? For our purposes, just about any ‘opinion’ topic is fodder for debate. For our purposes, just about any ‘opinion’ topic is fodder for debate. Canada needs a better military. Canada needs a better military. LHHS should begin classes at 10am and end at 4. LHHS should begin classes at 10am and end at 4. All students should receive laptops. All students should receive laptops.

What makes a topic debatable? The topic up for debate is called the ‘moot’. The topic up for debate is called the ‘moot’. For each moot, there will be two teams of three: For each moot, there will be two teams of three: The Affirmative (pro-moot) The Affirmative (pro-moot) The Negative (against the moot) The Negative (against the moot)

The team Each team will consist of four jobs: Each team will consist of four jobs: Leader introduces arguments Leader introduces arguments First Speaker makes more arguments, some rebuttal First Speaker makes more arguments, some rebuttal Second Speaker offers mostly rebuttal Second Speaker offers mostly rebuttal Leader gives a summary Leader gives a summary

Tips / Hints / Suggestions Research your topic Research your topic Brainstorm your ideas and order the ‘strengths’. If your arguments are weak, either make it stronger or scrap it. Brainstorm your ideas and order the ‘strengths’. If your arguments are weak, either make it stronger or scrap it. ‘Know your Enemy’..What will the other side say? Disarm them. ‘Know your Enemy’..What will the other side say? Disarm them.

Tips / Hints / Suggestions Choose the order of your speakers carefully: Choose the order of your speakers carefully: The Leader needs to be convincing w/ good body language The Leader needs to be convincing w/ good body language The third speaker needs to be able to argue off the top of their head. The third speaker needs to be able to argue off the top of their head. The Second speaker needs to be able to do both. The Second speaker needs to be able to do both.

Here’s what we’re going to do… Decide on topics Decide on topics Divide into groups of three...if this is not possible, I will re- arrange. No arguments, please. Divide into groups of three...if this is not possible, I will re- arrange. No arguments, please. Organize the teams (leader, 1 st and 2 nd speakers). Organize the teams (leader, 1 st and 2 nd speakers).

Here’s what we’re going to do… 1 st team meeting: 1 st team meeting: Decide on jobs Decide on jobs Brainstorm MAIN arguments…what do you know already? Brainstorm MAIN arguments…what do you know already? Research…be able to quote facts and figures. Research…be able to quote facts and figures.

To the Research… Go to the laptops or lab and do QUALITY research…Despite the hatred some teachers have for wikipedia, I feel it is valuable. Check it out. Go to the laptops or lab and do QUALITY research…Despite the hatred some teachers have for wikipedia, I feel it is valuable. Check it out.

Here’s what we’re going to do… Here’s the work…Each member NEEDS to write out their statements. Here’s the work…Each member NEEDS to write out their statements. Leader writes an introduction and summary of moot. Leader writes an introduction and summary of moot. 1 st speaker writes another point of moot AND prepares arguments. 1 st speaker writes another point of moot AND prepares arguments. 2 nd speaker prepares many arguments (ie…what would the other side say?) 2 nd speaker prepares many arguments (ie…what would the other side say?)