High School DebatesHigh School Debates

What is Debating?What is Debating? Formal and persuasive public speaking Formal and persuasive public speaking Is usually improvised or researchedIs usually improvised or researched Investigates two sides of an issueInvestigates two sides of an issue Usually nuanced and refined- not Usually nuanced and refined- not

polarizedpolarized Arguments are evaluated and weighed Arguments are evaluated and weighed

by audience or judge by audience or judge Two forms: 1) Parliamentary; 2) PolicyTwo forms: 1) Parliamentary; 2) Policy

Parliamentary Debate

Components Components Modeled on the Canadian ParliamentModeled on the Canadian Parliament Impromptu style of debate which requires Impromptu style of debate which requires

no background knowledge or researchno background knowledge or research Emphasis on rebuttal and cogent thinkingEmphasis on rebuttal and cogent thinking Ability to think under pressure and reactAbility to think under pressure and react Four players: PM, MC, MO and LOFour players: PM, MC, MO and LO Resolution presented: 10 min. preparationResolution presented: 10 min. preparation Structured and timed debate: 34 minutesStructured and timed debate: 34 minutes

Rules and PointersRules and Pointers Respect all members of the debate Respect all members of the debate Refrain from talking to your partner while Refrain from talking to your partner while

debate is in process – pass notes only debate is in process – pass notes only Do not make personal attacks or commentsDo not make personal attacks or comments Take copious notes during debate and number Take copious notes during debate and number

your points of argumentation and rebuttalyour points of argumentation and rebuttal Address the speaker “Mr.” or “Madame Address the speaker “Mr.” or “Madame

Speaker”Speaker” Speak clearly and confidentlySpeak clearly and confidently Make eye contact! Make eye contact!

Setting a ResolutionSetting a Resolution Students will only have 10-15 minutes to Students will only have 10-15 minutes to

prepare for the debateprepare for the debate Resolution topics usually focus on world Resolution topics usually focus on world

issues, pop-culture, media etc.issues, pop-culture, media etc. Government (PM and MC) define and Government (PM and MC) define and

refine resolution “Be it resolved that…”refine resolution “Be it resolved that…” Opposition has to anticipate Government Opposition has to anticipate Government

arguments and resolution arguments and resolution

The PlayersThe PlayersThe SpeakerThe Speaker

The Government:The Government: ““PM” stands for Prime MinisterPM” stands for Prime Minister ““MC” stands for Minister of CrownMC” stands for Minister of Crown

The Opposition:The Opposition: ““MO” stands for Member of Opposition MO” stands for Member of Opposition ““LO” stands for Leader of the OppositionLO” stands for Leader of the Opposition

The Speaker: impartial judge Moderates Takes notes

The Prime MinisterThe Prime Minister Speech 7 minutesSpeech 7 minutes Opens the debateOpens the debate Defines the resolutionDefines the resolutionat beginning of speechat beginning of speech States Government’s States Government’s

side and main points side and main points of its argumentof its argument

Foreshadows MC Foreshadows MC speechspeech

Member of OppositionMember of Opposition Speech 7 minutesSpeech 7 minutes ““Fast thinker”Fast thinker” Rebuts PM’s pointsRebuts PM’s points Clarifies resolutionClarifies resolution Counters Counters

Government’s caseGovernment’s case Presents two or Presents two or

three opposition three opposition argumentsarguments

Minister of the CrownMinister of the Crown Speech 7 minutesSpeech 7 minutes Second Speaker of Second Speaker of

GovernmentGovernment Refutes Opposition’s Refutes Opposition’s

case respectfully case respectfully Reconstructs PM’s Reconstructs PM’s

argumentsarguments Adds constructive Adds constructive

argumentsarguments

Leader of the OppositionLeader of the Opposition Speech 10 minutesSpeech 10 minutes Identifies debate’s Identifies debate’s

fundamental fundamental philosophical philosophical principlesprinciples

Strengthens Strengthens Opposition’s caseOpposition’s case

No new arguments No new arguments in last 3 minutes- in last 3 minutes- only summaryonly summary

Prime Minister: ClosingPrime Minister: Closing Speech 3 minutesSpeech 3 minutes No new arguments No new arguments

or points introducedor points introduced Summarizes and Summarizes and

restates restates Government caseGovernment case

Rebuts LO pointsRebuts LO points Provides conclusionProvides conclusion

After the DebateAfter the Debate Speaker thanks the debaters for the debateSpeaker thanks the debaters for the debate Debaters exit the room to allow speaker to Debaters exit the room to allow speaker to

reflect or speakers to confer- debaters called reflect or speakers to confer- debaters called inin

Speaker provides debaters with general Speaker provides debaters with general comments and feed-backcomments and feed-back

Debaters should not “debate” speaker’s Debaters should not “debate” speaker’s comments or become defensivecomments or become defensive

Speaker discloses “winning team”Speaker discloses “winning team” N.B. during formal competitions, results not N.B. during formal competitions, results not

disclosed until formal period at enddisclosed until formal period at end

SourcesSourcesMcGill University Debating Union:McGill University Debating Union:www.ssmu.mcgill.ca/debate

Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate: Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate: www.cusid.ca

For Policy Style i.e. US style Debate:For Policy Style i.e. US style Debate:

Columbia UniversityColumbia Universitywww.columbia.edu/cu/debate/oldsites/2002/styles.htmwww.columbia.edu/cu/debate/oldsites/2002/styles.htm

Find a Debate near you!Find a Debate near you! The Internet Brings More Harm than Good The Internet Brings More Harm than Good

to Today’s Youthto Today’s Youth

Should Mobile Phone be Banned from Should Mobile Phone be Banned from SchoolSchool

Is TV Good or Bad for Students?Is TV Good or Bad for Students?