Classroom Debate

MIDDLE SCHOOL PUBLIC DEBATE PROGRAM FORMAT The material from this power point is

based on the Middle School Public Debate Program and is taken from the book “Speak Out!”

By Kate Shuster and John Meany, 2005

PowerPoint by Maureen Sikora, St. Paul School, Burlington, NJ

What is DEBATE? A debate is a discussion between sides

with different views. Persons speak for or against something before making a decision.

Debates are a means of encouraging: • critical thinking • personal expression • tolerance of others' opinions.

Debates are organized!

This means there are rules for debating! Unlike an argument you might have with a

brother, sister, or classmate, a debate involves the following:

An argument (a well-explained opinion) It is on a SPECIFIC topic It is polar (has clear sides for or against) Arguments use Reasoning and Evidence to support opinion.

Why Debate? The debate process allows us

to analyze the similarities and differences in our views in a respectful manner.

Debates allow us to develop our public speaking skills,

Express our views without being interrupted,

Listen to the views of others, Develop our ability to reason,

persuade, and think critically over different topics.

Debate are like a trial There are 2 sides to a U.S. criminal trial:The prosecution and the defense.Prosecution: makes the case against the defendant, and must prove the defendant is guilty for violating a specific law, by including evidence.Evidence can include: eyewitnesses, confession statements, videotapes, or other physical or circumstantial evidence.

Prosecuting attorney must persuade the jury that the person is guilty beyond reasonable doubt!

The Defense: Must prove the prosecuting attorney is wrong, Must persuade the jury that there IS reasonable

doubt about the prosecutor's statements. Mission is to demonstrate the prosecution side

failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Must find the holes in the prosecution statements.

2 sides of the debate Proposition team has the same job as a

prosecuting attorney: to prove a case. Responsible for making its case to prove

their assertion. Does this by providing EVIDENCE!!! Find as much support through: expert

opinions, statistics, research. Arm themselves with facts!!!

Opposition side: Like the defense attorney: Their job is to find the holes in the

proposition’s reasoning and evidence. To do this you need to LISTEN!!! And ANTICIPATE what arguments your proposition will make. PROVE that the proposition side has

NOT made its case. Use your own arguments (With

evidence) to prove they are incorrect.

Debate format speaking order and time limits: First speaker, Proposition Team: 5 minutes This is the constructive phase: builds their case by giving several reasons for their argument by using EVIDENCE.First speaker, opposition team: 5 minutesThis is the constructive phase, builds their case against the argument.Second speaker: proposition 5 minutes (constructive)Second speaker: opposition 5 minutes (constructive)Work period to build your rebuttal (10 minutes)

Rebuttal phase: 3 minutes each side

Opposition rebuttal is first! (Third speaker of the team). Mission is to win the debate for the team, finalize the refutation of the proposition’s main arguments. Summarizes their issues. END WITH A PUNCH!

Proposition Rebuttal speaks last. Summarizes their main points FOR the case, refutes the oppositions arguments, and explains why their team should win.

No New argumentsAre allowed in this Phase.

Debate materials Before the debate or during a preparation time,

each side may review information that would help them prepare for the debate. You may use the computer, books, consult with teachers, classmates , etc.

Once the debate begins, you MAY NOT REVIEW OR USE any material or notes that were not prepared during the prep period. ONLY YOUR OWN notes in front of you.

YOU MAY NOT read a prepared speech during a debate. KNOW What you

are going to say, practice it!!

Points of Interest A point of information (POI) is a request

to the speaker to surrender some of his time for a comment by the opposing team.

The speaker may accept or reject a POI. If he accepts, the POI cannot be longer

than 15 seconds. The speaker accepts only a single point at a time.

Heckling A heckle is an interruption of a speaker during his

presentation. This is done to applaud teammates. It us done by

slapping your hand on the table 2 or 3 times. It is like an applause, except you are using the table as a second hand.

It is a way to show respect and support. It is NOT a way to boo someone, or put their ideas

down. Never use them to distract the speaker or to continually interrupt. Do NOT get carried away with heckling or points can be deducted by the judges. Judges may reward respectful use of heckling.