Debate

1. Debate 7th grade

2. What is Debate? • A formal contest of argumentation in which two opposing teams defend and attack a given proposition American Heritage Dictionary • In a debate there is a winning side and a loosing side • A debate affirms or negates the resolution

3. Resolution • A formal expression of opinion or intention • The topic/statement to be debated • Example: Should the death penalty still be used today?

4. Argument • An attempt to convince an audience about some idea. • Some arguments are unsuccessful because they are incomplete.

5. Sides in a Debate Affirmative Negative • Supports the resolution • Rejects and contests negation of the topic • Negates the resolution • Offers better alternatives • Rejects and contests the affirmative

6. Contentions • A statement that something is so or a claim about the world. • Take the form of a value, fact, policy, or combination of these. • Support your argument.

7. Reasoning and Evidence • Reasoning gives the reason why the contention is valid. • The “because” part of the argument. • The evidence is the proof part of the argument. • Evidence should be reliable and credible, using contemporary or historical examples, statistics or scientific information.

8. Example • Contention The death penalty is justified. • Reasoning The death penalty is justified because it reduces crime. • Evidence The death penalty is justified because it reduces crime. University studies across the nation strongly point to this effect.

9. The Constructives • Basic • To provide the evidence for their side of the debate • Better • Evidence and define the important terms of the resolution • Best • Evidence, definitions and reasons observations that focus the debate

10. Cross Examination (Cross-Ex) • Basic • Clarify/check the constructives understanding of their case • Better • Clarify and attack their opponents case • Best • Clarify, attack and trap their the constructive into supporting their side

11. Rebuttal • Basic • To provide general evidence against the opposing side of the debate • Better • Provide specific evidence against specific points stated by the opposition • Best • Provide specific evidence and attack issues such as Topicality, Definitions and/or Disadvantages

12. 4 Steps Rebuttal • “They say…”- Restate the point you are trying to answer. • “But…”- Make your point or counterpoint. • “Because…”- Offer reasoning and evidence to support your counterpoint. • “Therefore…” – Conclude your point by comparing your point to the point you are answering.

13. Closing • Basic • Repeat the “winning” points of constructive • Better • Repeat constructive and winning rebuttals arguments • Best • Repeat constructives, rebuttals and extend(provide further) evidence from the constructives or rebuttals.

14. Tips and Techniques • Listen to all participants in the debate. • Take notes about what points/contentions they have and prepare to cross examine on those points. • Read many articles and search many sites to get the best information. • Explore both sides of an issue. • If you can’t find who wrote an article (person or organization) then it probably isn’t reliable.

15. Definitions • Evidence – Facts that are researched to affirm/negate the resolution • Observations – Views of the debaters that focus the issues of the debate to help their side • Topicality – The argument that the evidence that the opposition is providing is not about the resolution • Disadvantages – If there is a plan, this claims that the outcomes of the plan or counter plan are worse than not doing anything • Extending – Providing additional evidence that supports points already stated in the constructive or rebuttal