High School Debates:High School Debates:

An OverviewAn Overview

By: Christina WeberBy: Christina Weber

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 Players

The 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 resolution

at 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 Refutes

Opposition’s case Opposition’s case respectfully 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 or points introducedintroduced

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

Find a Debate near you!Find a Debate near you!

Universities across Canada host High School Universities across Canada host High School Debating Competitions – go and watch!Debating Competitions – go and watch!

Volunteer your time as a competition judgeVolunteer your time as a competition judge Local High Schools organize competitionsLocal High Schools organize competitions Regional Debating Competitions take place Regional Debating Competitions take place

annuallyannually Start a Debating Club at your school: get the Start a Debating Club at your school: get the

Drama, English or Law teacher involved!Drama, English or Law teacher involved!

SourcesSources

McGill University Debating Union:McGill University Debating Union:

www.ssmu.mcgill.ca/debatewww.ssmu.mcgill.ca/debate

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

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

Columbia UniversityColumbia University

www.columbia.edu/cu/debate/oldsites/2002/www.columbia.edu/cu/debate/oldsites/2002/styles.htmstyles.htm

The EndThe End