8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

1/20

Debate I:Basics & Formats

Presented by Doris L. W. Chang

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

2/20

Presentation Outline

What is Debate?

What Can Debate Training Do for You?

Debate Format Basic Glossary

Work Cited

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

3/20

What Is Debate?

A debate means

a regulateddiscussion of a

propositionby two matchedsides, providing reasoned

arguments for and againsta proposition.

(Goodnight 149)

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

4/20

Rules of the Game

regulated: agreed-upon rules

Format,

Speaker responsibilities (judges, affirmative,

negative teams, timer)

Proofs, Logical reasoning, cross-examination

Rules of time, expected performances by both

teams.

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

5/20

proposition 1:

A proposition is a statement that is open to

interpretation

It shall be

controversial,

significant,

debatable,

durable, and most importantly,

with a single idea

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

6/20

Proposition 2: Examples

In a debate, the affirmative proposes tochange the status quo with a carefullyargued resolution with justification, plan, and

advantages.RESOLVED: That six years of English in high

school is adequate for a basic education.

RESOLVED: That modern art lacks artistic skill

and creativityRESOLVED: That AIDS education shall be

introduced at elementary school level.

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

7/20

What Can Debating Do for You?

It

cultivates your leadership skills

Consolidates your investigation & analysis skills

Trains your critical listening/thinking skills

Enriches your open-mindedness

Equips you with better organization & speaking skills

Builds your self-confidence

Boosts your teamwork & cooperation ability

Provides you the funwhen wits match with competition

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

8/20

Debate Formats

Policy Debate & Value Debate

Political DebateLincoln-Douglas

Presidential Debates (kennedy-Nixon Debate, 1960)

Modified press conferences (since questions & issuesare chosen by a panel rather than the candidates)

Academic Debate

Standard Debate Format (highshool/college)

Cross-Examination Debate Format

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

9/20

Policy & Value Debates

Policy Debate Value Debate

Resolutions urge takingaction

includes words like

should ought to

Resolutions related toevaluating ideas or

actions

directs the government or

authority concerned

Based mostly on

subjective reasoning &

persuasion

Emphasizes objective

arguments backed by

evidence

Emphasizes analysis &

persuasion, rather than

evidence

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

10/20

Lincoln Douglas Debate Format

Affirmative Constructive 6 min.

Negative Cross-exam. of Affirmative 3 min.

Negative Constructive 7 min.

Affirmative Cross-exam. of Negative 3 min.

Affirmative Rebuttal 4 min.

Negative Rebuttal 6 min.

Affirmative Rebuttal 3 min.

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

11/20

Lincoln-Douglas Debate

In honor of Lincoln & DouglasL-D debates for Illinois State Senate, 1852

Regular event in National Forensic League, 1980

A form of value debate Two participants only

Debate value propositions, not policy propositions

Same amount of time for both speakers, butAff. has a shorter constructive speech, but 2 rebuttals

More Cross-examination time, and its more importantthan building arguments

(Goodnight 21-2)

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

12/20

Standard Debate Format

1st AC 8 min. High School 10 min. (College)

1st NC 8 min. 10 min.

2nd AC 8 min. 10 min.

2nd NC 8 min. 10 min.

1st NR 4 min. 5 min.

1st AR 4 min. 5 min.2nd NR 4 min. 5 min.

2nd AR 4 min. 5 min.

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

13/20

Cross-Examination Debate Format1st AC 8 min. High School 10 min. (College)

N X-exam. 3 min. 3 min.

1st NC 8 min. 10 min.

A X-exam. 3 min. 3 min.

2nd AC 8 min. 10 min.N X-exam. 3 min. 3 min.

2nd NC 8 min. 10 min.

A X-exam. 3 min. 3 min.

1st NR 4 min. 5 min.

1st AR 4 min. 5 min.

2nd NR 4 min. 5 min.

2nd AR 4 min. 5 min.

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

14/20

Basic Glossary (Goodnight 149-151)

Proposition

Affirmative/negative

Constructive:speech presenting the teams majorpoints

Rebuttal:speech rebuilding attacked arguments,refuting opposing arguments, and summarizing thedebate

Flow Sheeting(flowing)

Prep. timePresumptionthe policy in effect should remain in effectPrima facie case

the aff. should not only overcome presumption, but present a casethat is complete at first sight, to state a justification, present a plan,list advantages, and provide sufficient proofs to make it strong

enough.

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

15/20

Glossary 1

Burden of proofthe aff.s obligation toprovide sufficient reason for adopting theproposition

Topicalityissue of whether the aff. planfalls under and supports the resolution (151).

Contention

Voting issues: arguments the teams believeto be key issues that shall decide who winsthe debate

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

16/20

Glossary 2

Debate brief

the structure most debaters use for organizing

their evidence,

usually a page of arguments and evidence to be

read as needed in debate rounds

1 single argument per sheet,

several pieces of evidence to be quoted whenneeded.

(Goodnight 81)

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

17/20

Proposition Formation

1. The proposition should include

A single idea, significance, controversy, debatability,

durability

2.Problem area

focused question

propositionE.g. Welfare systemmedical careproposition

Resolved:

That the government should guarantee medical care

for those with catastrophic illness

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

18/20

Questions & Answers

Sample Debate on LDT (Lie Detector Test)

by students 2004

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

19/20

Work Cited

Goodnight, Lynn. Getting Started in Debate.

2nd Ed. Lincolnwood, Chicago: NTC,

1994.

8/12/2019 10 1Debate I

20/20