DebateGuide

1. ALWAYS REMEMBER Speakers are not born, they are made. Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

2. BENEFITS OF DEBATING • Cultivates quick and multi-dimensional, logical thinking. • Enhances the ability to develop reasoned opinions. • Gives a better understanding of the current events and the world around us. • Improves self-confidence, speaking style and command of language. • Enriches your overall leadership qualities. Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

3. GOOD DEBATERS POSSESS • Good knowledge of current issues. • Ability to generate ideas. • Ability to think critically and logically. • Ability to present the ideas systematically. • Ability to handle culturally diverse and challenging situations with great ease and to one’s their (own) enjoyment. Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

4. DIFFERENT FORMATS OF DEBATES • Parliamentary & Non-parliamentary • Parliamentary debates allow Points of Information (POI) while Non-Parliamentary debates do not. • Malaysian Conventional • 3 members to a team • Topics given in advance • POIs not allowed • American Parliamentary • 2 members to a team • POIs are allowed Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

5. DIFFERENT FORMATS OF DEBATES • Royal Malaysian/ Asian • 3 members to a team • POIS are allowed. • British Parliamentary (World Debates) • 2 member to team and 4 teams in a debate • POIs are allowed Closing Gov. Opening Gov. Set up in a British Parliamentary Format of Debate Speaker/Chairperson Audience Closing Opp. Opening Opp. Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

6. A DEBATE IS JUDGED ON THE BASIS OF: • 1. Matter: • What you present (i.e. the content) • 2. Manner: • How you present (i.e. the style) • 3. Method: • Organisation/ structure of your presentation Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

7. ELEMENTS OF MATTER • 1. Definitions: • - Set up of the debate • 2. Arguments: • - Must be logical • - Must be relevant • 3. Evidences: • - Must be relevant • - Evidential value (strength) • 4. Rebuttals: • - Must be logical • - Must be relevant • - Must be prompt Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

8. DEFINING A TOPIC • Explain the key-words in the topic. • Identify what you want to prove and what is your stand. This is called the theme of your team. • If there is a measurement involved, set up the yardstick or criteria for such measurement. Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

9. RULES OF DEFINITION Characteristics of a Proper Definition: • It must bear a close relation to the motion. • It must not be truistic. • It must not employ time or place setting. • It must not be based on overly specific knowledge Kinds of Definitions: • Literal with key-words definition. • Metaphorical definition. • Issue based &/or specified definition (different from time-place setting). Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

10. CHALLENGE OF DEFINITION Grounds for Challenge: • You can only challenge a definition if it violates any of the criteria stated earlier. Frequently used terms in challenging definitions are: wholly unreasonable, squirrel, time-place set, truistic. • You cannot challenge a definition simply because you have a more reasonable or better definition. Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

11. CHALLENGE OF DEFINITION • Challenge must come from the leader of the opposition, not later. • Leader of the opposition must provide an alternative definition. • In most of the cases, the teams must introduce an 'even if’argument. • An`Even if' argument is not possible in some cases. (e.g. truistic definition & definition running counter to the resolution i.e. where govt. has taken the opposition’s case). • In a definition debate, all the speakers except the PM argue the following: • Why challenge? • Validity/ invalidity of the two definitions. • Even if we are to accept the other side's definition, these are the weaknesses of their case. • Positive case under their own definition. Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

12. GETTING THE RIGHT ARGUMENTS • First, identify what you have to prove under the topic. • Then, identify what helps you to prove it. Put them in the format of an argument or a set of arguments. • Not everything that you know on the subject is relevant. • Anticipate the questions that may be raised against your arguments and see if you have good answers to them. • Block the opportunity for those questions to be raised by addressing them briefly as you explain the argument. • Present the arguments in order of their strength. • Avoid empty rhetoric and emotionalism - be rational. Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

13. ESTABLISHING AN ARGUMENT Basic statement Logical explanations of why and how the basic statement stands Proofs/ evidences/ examples that factually establish your basic statement Conclusion/ how it proves your team’s theme Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

14. EFFECTIVE REBUTTALS • Do not rebut the example, attack the very premise of the argument of the other side. Only then contrary examples can be supplemented. • It is advisable to provide multiple rebuttals to each argument of the other side. • Rebuttals should also be in conformity with your case. • Rebut the rebuttals of your case by the other side in order to defend your case. Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

15. ELEMENTS OF MANNER/STYLE • Respectable attitude towards the judges and the other team. • Vocal style: volume, clarity, pace, intonation etc. • Use of notes: not to read a written text. • Eye contact. • Body language: hand gestures, pacing, standing etc. • Impression of sincerity. • Humour, wit, appropriate and healthy sarcasm. Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

16. ELEMENTS OF METHOD • Team structure • Continuity of team’s theme in all the speeches. • Consistency among all the speakers (no contradictions) • Reinforcement of team members' arguments • Clear & logical separation between arguments. • Individual Structure • Attractive opening/ outline of the speech. • Proper organisation & priority of the arguments. • Organisation of rebuttals. • Appropriate timing of the speech • Summary of the speech. • Responses to the dynamics of the debate- Right thing at the right time. - Ability to follow the progression of and changes in the debate, and to re-act accordingly. Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

17. MODEL INDIVIDUAL SPEECH Definitions/ theme of the team Rebuttals (attacks and defence) Reiteration and defence of your own team’s case Presentation of your own arguments Conclusion (why your team’s case stands and other team’s case does not) Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

18. TEAMS’ ROLES: ASIAN/ AUSTRALS PROPOSITION/GOVERNMENT: OPPOSITION: • To negate the motion which involves: • Responding to the Government's definition, • Constructing a case in opposition to the motion, • Providing substantive material and arguments in support of the (opposition) case, • Responding to the arguments delivered by the Government. To support the motion which involves: • Defining the motion, • Constructing a positive case in favour of the motion, • Providing substantive materials and arguments in support of the case, • Responding to any challenges made to that case by the Opposition. Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

19. TEAM ROLES: BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY OPENING GOV. OPENING OPP. - Defines - Builds a positive case to support the motion - Responds to the Opp.’s case. - Responds to the government’s case - Builds a case to oppose the motion CLOSING GOV. CLOSING OPP. - Supports the Opening Opp.’s case - Adds new dimension, arguments in Opp.’s case - Responds to government’s case - Supports the Opening Gov.’s case, - Adds new dimensions, arguments to further substantiate the government’s case. - Responds to the Opp.’s case Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

20. PROPOSITION/ GOVERNMENT: SPEAKERS' ROLES: ASIAN/ AUSTRALS • 1st Speaker /Prime Minister • Defines the topic. • Gives the case structure and theme. • Presents own arguments. • Provides a summary of his speech. (What I've given u so far..). • 2nd Speaker • Rebuts. • Reiterates and defends his first speaker’s arguments. • Presents own argument. • Provides a summary of his speech. • 3rd Speaker • Rebuts substantially. • Reiterates and defends his own team's case. • Provides a summary of his speech. • Reply Speaker • Presents a comparative overview of the clash points in the debate proving why his team’s case stands Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

21. SPEAKERS' ROLES: ASIAN/ AUSTRALS OPPOSITION: • 1st Speaker /Opposition Leader • Responds to the definition (i.e. Accepts, Rejects or Clarifies). • Rebuts the Prime Minister’s arguments. • Gives the case structure and theme of his team. • Presents own arguments. • Provides a summary of his speech. • 2nd Speaker • Same as the proposition 2nd speaker • 3rd Speaker • Same as the proposition 3rd speaker • Reply Speaker • Same as the proposition reply speaker Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

22. POINTS OF INFORMATION (POIs) • A POI can be in a question or statement form and should not take more than 15 seconds. • Each speaker should accept at least two POIs. • All three members of the team should try to give POIs, but they must not be disruptive. • POIs are judged on the basis of: • the threat they pose to the strength of the argument of the debater. • value of its wit and humour. • Responses to the POIs are judged on the basis of: • promptness and confidence in answering. • strength of the response. • value of wit and humour in the response. Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM