Personally Proactive: Samuel Bruce Ltd 2005 JCI NOM/LOM NAME DATE DEBATING Scott Johnston JCI Glasgow Senator JCI Scotland National President 2004 JCI

Personally Proactive: Samuel Bruce Ltd 2005

JCI NOM/LOM NAMEDATE

DEBATING

Scott JohnstonJCI Glasgow SenatorJCI Scotland National President 2004JCI European Debate Champion 2005


What is debating?

‘Conversation with argument’ When do we debate? What are the differences between

speaking and debating?

See JCI website www.jci.cc Also www.debatabase.com


Workshop Outline

The ‘Motion’ – topic / issue The Chairman The Timekeeper Debate Format Captain, Speakers & ??Coach Structure of your speech Points of information How to be a GREAT debater


The ‘Motion’ or debate topic

This House Believes that… Must have two sides to the argument

• Proposition v Opposition/Govt Prepared (1 week or more notice) or

impromptu (15 minutes notice) Serious topic or humorous? Nothing offensive or too controversial


‘The Motion Commotion’

What makes a good motion?


The Chairman

Introduce speakers Wait for judges to score each

speaker ‘Entertain’ the audience


The Timekeeper

Stopwatch Bell, lights or signposts

• Make sure you can see the lights! Time warnings to speakers:

• After 1 minute – interruptions allowed• 1 minute to go – no more interruption• Time up – stop within 15 seconds


Debate Format (teams of 2, 3, or 4)

Proposition Captain3 minutes

Proposition speaker 14 minutes

Proposition speaker 24 minutes

Proposition Captain3 minutes

Opposition Captain3 minutes

Opposition speaker 14 minutes

Opposition speaker 24 minutes

Opposition Captain3 minutes


Proposition Captain

Define the Motion Introduce team members & their

respective points/arguments


Proposition Captain

*** MUST MUST MUST ***

DEFINE THE MOTION Make it ‘debatable’ / arguable

• Lose points if not arguable• Lose points if not defined accurately

Be creative - ‘Life begins at 40’


Opposition Captain

Must argue the motion presented by Proposition • unless unarguable (rare)

Lose points if re-define the motion or argue what YOU think it should be


Opposition Captain

Introduce team members & their arguments

Say why the Proposition is wrong – i.e. ‘rebuttal’ = debate (not a ‘speech’)


All Speakers

Persuasive argument supporting your own points

Rebuttal of opposing arguments Anticipation of forthcoming opposing

arguments Teamwork


Captain’s summary

Purpose of the summary: Summarise both sides of the debate

• No NEW information allowed Comment on each speaker’s points Emphasise your team’s arguments

& the reasons they should win ??No interruptions allowed??


TIMEOUT

Each team may call one 1-minute timeout The timeout may only be called by a team

captain between (not during) speakers Often called immediately before the

Captain’s summary Use your timeout to speak to coach and

team members


The Coach

Non-speaking role Cannot give points of information Helps speakers to prepare Helps speakers during the debate

• eg pass notes to speakers


Structure of a debate speech

1. Introduction – know your first sentence

2. Rebuttal/argument against opponents

3. Your 2 or 3 main points4. Last minute5. Know your last sentence


For example THB… Life Begins at 40

1. Introduction – know your first sentence

2. Your 3 main team arguments3. Make Y0UR points4. ** Rebuttal – Rebuttal – Rebuttal **5. Last minute – protected6. Know your last sentence


Introduction:know your first sentence

Sound confident Get used to actually speaking No interruptions in first

minute


Structure of your speech

After rebuttal / argument:

• ‘Tell them what you are going to say’

• ‘Then tell them’

• ‘Then tell them what you have said’


Rebuttal / argument against opponents

This is a DEBATE not a SPEECH Engage with the other side Argue against their points Humour is a great weapon Use statistics – real or made up!

Short & punchy – not long & windy!!

Know when to STOP!!


Your 2 or 3 main points Make your first point

• Give 1 or 2 examples Make your second point

• Give 1 or 2 examples Have spare points

• in case you run out of time • use them to answer interruptions


Last minute

Finish your point No interruptions permitted Include:

• a summary of your points• a summary of your rebuttal


Last sentence know your last

sentenceWhen time is up – DO NOT PANIC!! Finish your sentence Give your last sentence:

• ‘For these reasons, I beg to [propose / oppose] the motion’

Sit down to fantastic applause!!!!!


POINTS

OF

INFORMATION


OFFERING points of information

Stand up & say ‘Point of Information’ Wait for a response – accepted / rejected

Your aim is to: contradict your opponent distract your opponent Advance your own argument


ACCEPTINGpoints of information

YOU decide whether to accept/reject

YOU CONTROL THE FLOOR Win points if you accept = debating

Your aim is to: show confidence in your argument engage in debate


Who wins?

Judges criteria: Knowledge of subject Presentation skills Entering into ‘debate’ (not a ‘speech’)

• Giving/taking points of information

• Arguments during your speech Timekeeping & Etiquette


‘Points Make Prizes’

Have good structure to your speech Give relevant examples Teamwork – refer to what your

colleagues have said or will say Use humour Do not insult your opponents (only

your own team!)


Who wants

to debate?

Documents

Personally Proactive: Samuel Bruce Ltd 2005 JCI NOM/LOM NAME DATE DEBATING Scott Johnston JCI Glasgow Senator JCI Scotland National President 2004 JCI