How to Write an Opening and Closing Statement

1. How to Write an Opening and Closing Statement Learn how to put these two important pieces of the debate together, and the major differences so the audience experiences them the way they are meant to be experienced!

2. First for the Debate Team • Share your facts! • Everyone in the group must have all the facts that you collected on your topic so that anyone in the group can argue at any moment during the debates. • Create a shared Google Doc so that you can all copy and paste your facts to one area and then add them to your debate packet in notability for the day of! • The team should know both sides. • It is important for you to understand both sides of the debate to prepare for what their rebuttals and main arguments are going to be. • You are required to have a presentation with the opening statement. • Prezi or Explain Everything slides- work together as a team to create this.

3. The Opening Statement Must Have: • An Intro • At least 3 main ideas/arguments (the arguments must have an assertion, reasoning, and evidence) • Assertion: A statement that you’re trying to prove with an argument • Reasoning: The “because” part of your argument, offering support for your assertion. • Evidence: Support for your reasoning, using contemporary or historical examples, statistical or scientific information. • A conclusion • Wrap up your speech, remind the audience of what your main ideas/arguments were!

4. Example of Assertion, Reasoning, and Evidence Assertion: Boxing is intended to harm the participants. Reasoning: Unlike other sports, in which physical collisions and body damage occurs, the point of boxing is to do harm to an opponent. The goal in boxing is the “knock-out” – unconsciousness that is the result of brain damage. Evidence: And boxers succeed in doing a great deal of harm. Levander Johnson died from brain injuries; both Quarry brothers passed away before the age of 55 from a lifetime of beatings; Michael Watson is confined to a wheelchair; Gerald McClellan is in a coma, Muhammad Ali has Parkinson’s disease from second impact syndrome. According to the Journal of Combat Sport as many as 1,000 boxers may have died in the past century with many thousands more seriously injured.

5. The Opening Statement Tips & Tricks: • Do you have repetition or a slogan? • A good speech will remind the audience of their main argument, a slogan like King’s “I have a dream” repeats to the point that the audience will forever remember it. • It should be 2-3 minutes in length • If you are handwriting it, it should be about 3-4 pages. • If you are below the 2 minute mark you will not be considered proficient! • Usually the opening is more of a logical/expert argument • You are listing your facts and evidence • The closing is more emotional • Use great persuasive & academic language! • You will be interrupted during the opening statement with the other teams’ rebuttals. Be prepared, practice your speech and write in your notes or note cards where you can pause and allow the other team to speak.

6. The Closing Statement Must Have: • A much shorter intro, body, and conclusion (compared to the opening statement) • Restate your debate teams 3 main ideas/arguments • Remind the audience of your most important ideas • Do not introduce new information • Use the same slogan or repetition that was used in the opening statement • You are a team you should sound similar in style! In order to do this you must communicate with each other! • Make an emotional connection with the audience • Use imagery or figurative language (similes, metaphors, etc.) • The closing statement must be at least 1-2 minutes • You will not be considered proficient if it is below a minute

7. Closing Statement Tips & Tricks: • The closing statement is the most important part of the presentation. People are most likely to remember the closing because it is what they heard last. • Also, the closing should summarize the main ideas of the debate and leave the audience wanting to vote for your team for the win. • Emphasize the key points (main ideas) of your debate! • There are no rebuttals during this section, you will not be interrupted. • Sometimes a presentation, while not required, can really help your “emotional” connection with the audience

8. Differences between Opening and Closing Statements: Opening Statement Closing Statement Uses logical and expert arguments mostly. Has an organized intro, body, and conclusion Must have a presentation to go along with it Interrupted with rebuttals from the other team. 2-3 minutes in length Uses very persuasive language, quotes, survey statistics, facts, and interview information if at all possible. Uses emotional arguments Has an organized but SHORTER intro, body, and conclusion Repeats the most important arguments and facts as stated in the opening statement Is not interrupted with rebuttals, no one is allowed to talk during your speech. Is only1-2 minutes in length. IS the last the audience hears from your team.

9. You are finished! • Honors students don’t forget to do the digital WSQ!