1. Debate

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. Lincoln-Douglas Debate Format
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.

13. 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

14. 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!)

15. 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?

16. 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