1. Debate I: Basics & Formats
Presented by Doris L. W. Chang

2. Presentation Outline What is “Debate”?
What Can Debate Training Do for You?
Debate Format
Basic Glossary
Work Cited

3. What Is Debate?
A debate means
“a regulated discussion of a proposition by two matched sides, providing reasoned arguments for and against a proposition.”
(Goodnight 149)

4. Rules of the Game “regulated”: agreed-upon rules Format,
Speaker responsibilities (judges, affirmative, negative teams, timer)
Proofs, Logical reasoning, cross-examination
Rules of time, expected performances by both teams.

5. “proposition” 1:
A proposition is a statement that is open to interpretation
It shall be
controversial,
significant,
debatable,
durable, and most importantly,
with a single idea

6. Proposition 2: Examples
In a debate, the affirmative proposes to change the status quo with a carefully argued resolution with justification, plan, and advantages.
RESOLVED: That six years of English in high school is adequate for a basic education.
RESOLVED: That modern art lacks artistic skill and creativity
RESOLVED: That AIDS education shall be introduced at elementary school level.

7. What Can Debating Do for You?It
cultivates your leadership skills
Consolidates your investigation & analysis skills
Trains your critical listening/thinking skills
Enriches your open-mindedness
Equips you with better organization & speaking skills
Builds your self-confidence
Boosts your teamwork & cooperation ability
Provides you the fun when wits match with competition

8. Debate Formats Policy Debate & Value Debate
Political Debate—Lincoln-Douglas
Presidential Debates (kennedy-Nixon Debate, 1960)
Modified press conferences (since questions & issues are chosen by a panel rather than the candidates)
Academic Debate
Standard Debate Format (highshool/college)
Cross-Examination Debate Format

9. Policy & Value Debates Policy Debate Value Debate
Resolutions urge taking action
includes words like “should” “ought to”
Resolutions related to evaluating ideas or actions
directs the government or authority concerned
Based mostly on subjective reasoning & persuasion
Emphasizes objective arguments backed by evidence
Emphasizes analysis & persuasion, rather than evidence

10. Lincoln Douglas Debate Format
Affirmative Constructive
6 min.
Negative Cross-exam. of Affirmative
3 min.
Negative Constructive
7 min.
Affirmative Cross-exam. of Negative
Affirmative Rebuttal
4 min.
Negative Rebuttal

11. Lincoln-Douglas Debate
In honor of Lincoln & Douglas
L-D debates for Illinois State Senate, 1852
Regular event in National Forensic League, 1980
A form of value debate
Two participants only
Debate value propositions, not policy propositions
Same amount of time for both speakers, but
Aff. has a shorter constructive speech, but 2 rebuttals
More Cross-examination time, and it’s more important than building arguments
(Goodnight 21-2)

12. Standard Debate Format
1st AC
8 min. High School
10 min. (College)
1st NC
8 min.
10 min.
2nd AC
2nd NC
1st NR
4 min.
5 min.
1st AR
2nd NR
2nd AR

13. Cross-Examination Debate Format
1st AC
8 min. High School
10 min. (College)
N X-exam.
3 min.
1st NC
8 min.
10 min.
A X-exam.
2nd AC
2nd NC
1st NR
4 min.
5 min.
1st AR
2nd NR
2nd AR

14. Basic Glossary (Goodnight 149-151)
Proposition
Affirmative/negative
Constructive: speech presenting the team’s major points
Rebuttal: speech rebuilding attacked arguments, refuting opposing arguments, and summarizing the debate
Flow Sheeting (flowing)
Prep. time
Presumption—the policy in effect should remain in effect
Prima facie case—
the aff. should not only overcome presumption, but present a case that is complete “at first sight,” to state a justification, present a plan, list advantages, and provide sufficient proofs to make it strong enough.

15. Glossary 1
Burden of proof—the aff.’s obligation to provide sufficient reason for adopting the proposition
Topicality—issue of whether the aff. plan falls under and supports the resolution (151).
Contention
Voting issues: arguments the teams believe to be key issues that shall decide who wins the debate

16. Glossary 2
Debate brief
the structure most debaters use for organizing their evidence,
usually a page of arguments and evidence to be read as needed in debate rounds
1 single argument per sheet,
several pieces of evidence to be quoted when needed.
(Goodnight 81)

17. Proposition Formation
The proposition should include
A single idea, significance, controversy, debatability, durability
Problem area focused question proposition
E.g. Welfare systemmedical care proposition
Resolved:
That the government should guarantee medical care for those with catastrophic illness

18. Questions & Answers
Sample Debate on LDT (Lie Detector Test) by students 2004

19. Work Cited
Goodnight, Lynn. Getting Started in Debate. 2nd Ed. Lincolnwood, Chicago: NTC,

20. Have Fun Debating!