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High School Debates:

High School Debates:. An Overview By: Christina Weber. What is Debating?. Formal and persuasive public speaking Is usually improvised or researched Investigates two sides of an issue Usually nuanced and refined- not polarized Arguments are evaluated and weighed by audience or judge

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High School Debates:

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  1. High School Debates: An Overview By: Christina Weber

  2. What is Debating? • Formal and persuasive public speaking • Is usually improvised or researched • Investigates two sides of an issue • Usually nuanced and refined- not polarized • Arguments are evaluated and weighed by audience or judge • Two forms: 1) Parliamentary; 2) Policy

  3. Parliamentary Debate

  4. Components • Modeled on the Canadian Parliament • Impromptu style of debate which requires no background knowledge or research • Emphasis on rebuttal and cogent thinking • Ability to think under pressure and react • Four players: PM, MC, MO and LO • Resolution presented: 10 min. preparation • Structured and timed debate: 34 minutes

  5. Rules and Pointers • Respect all members of the debate • Refrain from talking to your partner while debate is in process – pass notes only • Do not make personal attacks or comments • Take copious notes during debate and number your points of argumentation and rebuttal • Address the speaker “Mr.” or “Madame Speaker” • Speak clearly and confidently • Make eye contact!

  6. Setting a Resolution • Students will only have 10-15 minutes to prepare for the debate • Resolution topics usually focus on world issues, pop-culture, media etc. • Government (PM and MC) define and refine resolution “Be it resolved that…” • Opposition has to anticipate Government arguments and resolution

  7. The Players The Speaker The Government: • “PM” stands for Prime Minister • “MC” stands for Minister of Crown The Opposition: • “MO” stands for Member of Opposition • “LO” stands for Leader of the Opposition

  8. The Speaker: impartial judge • Moderates • Takes notes

  9. The Prime Minister • Speech 7 minutes • Opens the debate • Defines the resolution at beginning of speech • States Government’s side and main points of its argument • Foreshadows MC speech

  10. Member of Opposition • Speech 7 minutes • “Fast thinker” • Rebuts PM’s points • Clarifies resolution • Counters Government’s case • Presents two or three opposition arguments

  11. Minister of the Crown • Speech 7 minutes • Second Speaker of Government • Refutes Opposition’s case respectfully • Reconstructs PM’s arguments • Adds constructive arguments

  12. Leader of the Opposition • Speech 10 minutes • Identifies debate’s fundamental philosophical principles • Strengthens Opposition’s case • No new arguments in last 3 minutes- only summary

  13. Prime Minister: Closing • Speech 3 minutes • No new arguments or points introduced • Summarizes and restates Government case • Rebuts LO points • Provides conclusion

  14. After the Debate • Speaker thanks the debaters for the debate • Debaters exit the room to allow speaker to reflect or speakers to confer- debaters called in • Speaker provides debaters with general comments and feed-back • Debaters should not “debate” speaker’s comments or become defensive • Speaker discloses “winning team” • N.B. during formal competitions, results not disclosed until formal period at end

  15. Find a Debate near you! • Universities across Canada host High School Debating Competitions – go and watch! • Volunteer your time as a competition judge • Local High Schools organize competitions • Regional Debating Competitions take place annually • Start a Debating Club at your school: get the Drama, English or Law teacher involved!

  16. Sources McGill University Debating Union: www.ssmu.mcgill.ca/debate Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate: www.cusid.ca For Policy Style i.e. US style Debate: Columbia University www.columbia.edu/cu/debate/oldsites/2002/styles.htm

  17. The End

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