Debate I: Basics

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Debate I Basics Formats

• Presented by Doris L. W. Chang

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Presentation Outline

• What is Debate?
• What Can Debate Training Do for You?
• Debate Format
• Basic Glossary
• Work Cited

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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)
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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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Debate Formats

• Policy Debate Value Debate
• Political DebateLincoln-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

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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
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Lincoln Douglas Debate Format
Affirmative Constructive 6 min.
Negative Cross-exam. of Affirmative 3 min.
Negative Constructive 7 min.
Affirmative Cross-exam. of Negative 3 min.
Affirmative Rebuttal 4 min.
Negative Rebuttal 6 min.
Affirmative Rebuttal 3 min.
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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 its more
  important than building arguments
• (Goodnight 21-2)

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Standard Debate Format
1st AC 8 min. High School 10 min. (College)
1st NC 8 min. 10 min.
2nd AC 8 min. 10 min.
2nd NC 8 min. 10 min.
1st NR 4 min. 5 min.
1st AR 4 min. 5 min.
2nd NR 4 min. 5 min.
2nd AR 4 min. 5 min.
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Cross-Examination Debate Format
1st AC 8 min. High School 10 min. (College)
N X-exam. 3 min. 3 min.
1st NC 8 min. 10 min.
A X-exam. 3 min. 3 min.
2nd AC 8 min. 10 min.
N X-exam. 3 min. 3 min.
2nd NC 8 min. 10 min.
A X-exam. 3 min. 3 min.
1st NR 4 min. 5 min.
1st AR 4 min. 5 min.
2nd NR 4 min. 5 min.
2nd AR 4 min. 5 min.
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Basic Glossary (Goodnight 149-151)

• Proposition
• Affirmative/negative
• Constructive speech presenting the teams major
  points
• Rebuttal speech rebuilding attacked arguments,
  refuting opposing arguments, and summarizing the
  debate
• Flow Sheeting (flowing)
• Prep. time
• Presumptionthe 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.

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Glossary 1

• Burden of proofthe aff.s obligation to provide
  sufficient reason for adopting the proposition
• Topicalityissue 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

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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)

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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

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Questions Answers

• Sample Debate on LDT (Lie Detector Test) by
  students 2004

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Work Cited

• Goodnight, Lynn. Getting Started in Debate.
  2nd Ed. Lincolnwood, Chicago NTC, 1994.

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Have Fun Debating!