Debate

What is debate?

• Formalized

• Public

• Speaking

• Contest to find out which side has better logical reasons.

Why should you care?

• Critical thinking skills taught in debate can save you money, time, and trouble.

• Debate is the foundation of a democratic government. You live in a democracy.

• You can crush your enemies.

Terms you need to know

• Debate

• Affirmative

• Negative

• Moderator

• Subsequent speaker

Terms continued

• Resolution

• Constructive

• Rebuttal

• Status quo

• Burden of proof

Affirmative

• Always argues in favor of the resolution.

• Always has the burden of proof.

• Always gets the first and last word.

Negative

• Always argues against the resolution.

• Always speaks after the affirmative.

• Always has the status quo in favor of their argument.

Moderator

• Keeps order during the debate.

• Introduces the resolution and speakers.

• Calls on questions and subsequent speakers.

• Takes the final vote

• Tallies best speaker ballots.

Subsequent speaker

• Volunteer impromptu speaker on behalf of either side.

• Subsequent speeches are three minutes long.

• You can yield your time to another speaker if there is time.

Resolution

• The statement being argued.

• Also called the proposition.

Constructive

• Speech in which you build your case using logical reasons and evidence.

Rebuttal

• Speech in which you refute your opponents arguments and rebuild your case after your opponent has refuted your arguments.

Status Quo

• The current state of affairs.

• Ex. According to the status quo, women are allowed to seek an abortion.

Burden of Proof

• The job of proving that some harm exists due to the status quo and a change is thus necessary.

What happens in a debate?

• The affirmative speaks for 6 minutes, making a constructive speech.

• The negative speaks for 6 minutes, making a constructive speech.

• The moderator calls on a subsequent speaker for the affirmative.

• The moderator calls on a subsequent speaker for the negative.

What happens continued

• The moderator may continue to call on subsequent speakers as time and interest allow.

• The negative makes a rebuttal and closing argument.

• The affirmative makes a rebuttal and closing argument.

• The moderator takes a vote.

Other stuff

• If you like what the speaker has to say or want to question the current speaker, you may make a “Motion to extend the speakers time by a minute (for questions).

• If you are tired of the debate, you may make a “Motion to previous question.” The debate will then move to closing arguments.