A B D U R R A H M A N , M . P D

SUMMARY OF DEBATE

DEFINITION

To defend on one side to the

other one by convincing

adjudicators and audience in

certain systematic, methodic,

and logical ways.

• Parliamentary & Non-parliamentary• Parliamentary debates allow Points of

Information (POI) while Non-Parliamentarydebates do not.

• Asian/ Australasian• 3 members to a team

• POIS are allowed.

• British Parliamentary (World Debates)• 2 member to team and 4 teams in a

debate

• POIs are allowed

DIFFERENT FORMATS OF

DEBATES

A DEBATE IS JUDGED ON THE

BASIS OF:

1. Matter:

What you present (i.e. the content)

2. Manner:

How you present (i.e. the style)

3. Method:

Organisation/ structure of your presentation

ELEMENTS OF MATTER

1. Definitions:- Set up of the debate

2. Arguments:

- Must be logical- Must be relevant

3. Evidences:

- Must be relevant

- Evidential value

(strength)

4. Rebuttals:

- Must be logical- Must be relevant

- Must be prompt

ELEMENTS OF MANNER/STYLE

• Respectable attitude towards thejudges and the other team.

• Vocal style: volume, clarity, pace,intonation etc.

• Use of notes: not to read a writtentext.

• Eye contact.• Body language: hand gestures,

pacing, standing etc.• Impression of sincerity.• Humour, wit, appropriate and

healthy sarcasm.

ELEMENTS OF METHOD- Team structure

- Continuity of team’s theme in all the speeches.- Consistency among all the speakers (no

contradictions)- Reinforcement of team members' arguments

- Clear & logical separation between arguments.

- Individual Structure- Attractive opening/ outline of the speech.- Proper organisation & priority of the arguments.- Organisation of rebuttals.- Appropriate timing of the speech- Summary of the speech.

- Responses to the dynamics of the debate- Right thing at the right time.- Ability to follow the progression of and changes in thedebate, and to re-act accordingly.

DEFINING A TOPIC

• Explain the key-words in the topic.

• Identify what you want to prove and what is your stand. This is called the theme of your team.

• If there is a measurement involved, set up the yardstick or criteria for such measurement.

RULES OF DEFINITION

• It must bear a close relation to the motion.• It must not be truistic.• It must not employ time or place setting.• It must not be based on overly specific

knowledge

Characteristics of a Proper Definition:

• Literal with key-words definition.• Metaphorical definition.• Issue based &/or specified definition (different

from time-place setting).

Kinds of Definitions:

• You can only challenge a definition if it

violates any of the criteria stated

earlier. Frequently used terms in

challenging definitions are: wholly

unreasonable, squirrel, time-place set,

truistic.

• You cannot challenge a definition

simply because you have a more

reasonable or better definition.

Grounds for Challenge:

CHALLENGE OF DEFINITION

CHALLENGE OF DEFINITION• Challenge must come from the leader of the opposition, not

later.• Leader of the opposition must provide an alternative

definition.• In most of the cases, the teams must introduce an 'even if’

argument.• An `Even if' argument is not possible in some cases. (e.g.

truistic definition & definition running counter to theresolution i.e. where govt. has taken the opposition’s case).

• In a definition debate, all the speakers except the PM arguethe following:• Why challenge?• Validity/ invalidity of the two definitions.• Even if we are to accept the other side's definition, these are the

weaknesses of their case.• Positive case under their own definition.

• First, identify what you have to prove under the topic.

• Then, identify what helps you to prove it. Put them in the format of an argument or a set of arguments.

• Not everything that you know on the subject is relevant.

• Anticipate the questions that may be raised against your arguments and see if you have good answers to them.

• Block the opportunity for those questions to be raised by addressing them briefly as you explain the argument.

• Present the arguments in order of their strength.• Avoid empty rhetoric and emotionalism - be

rational.

GETTING THE RIGHT ARGUMENTS

• Do not rebut the example, attack the very premise of the argument of the other side. Only then contrary examples can be supplemented.

• It is advisable to provide multiple rebuttals to each argument of the other side.

• Rebuttals should also be in conformity with your case.

• Rebut the rebuttals of your case by the other side in order to defend your case.

EFFECTIVE REBUTTALS

Attacks

(Rebut the Arguments)

Defence

(Rebut the Rebuttals)

Rebuttals

PROPOSITION/

GOVERNMENT:

TEAMS’ ROLES: ASIAN/ AUSTRALS

To support the motion which involves:

• Defining the motion,

• Constructing a positive case in favour of the motion,

• Providing substantive materials and arguments in support of the case,

• Responding to any challenges made to that case by the Opposition.

OPPOSITION:

To negate the motion which involves:

Responding to the Government's definition,Constructing a case in opposition to the motion, Providing substantive material and arguments in support of the (opposition) case, Responding to the arguments delivered by the Government.

• 1st Speaker /Prime Minister• Defines the topic.• Gives the case structure and theme.• Presents own arguments.• Provides a summary of his speech. (What I've given u so far..).

• 2nd Speaker• Rebuts.• Reiterates and defends his first speaker’s arguments.• Presents own argument.• Provides a summary of his speech.

• 3rd Speaker• Rebuts substantially.• Reiterates and defends his own team's case.• Provides a summary of his speech.

• Reply Speaker• Presents a comparative overview of the clash points in the

debate proving why his team’s case stands

SPEAKERS' ROLES: ASIAN/ AUSTRALS

PROPOSITION/

GOVERNMENT:

• 1st Speaker /Opposition Leader• Responds to the definition (i.e. Accepts, Rejects

or Clarifies).• Rebuts the Prime Minister’s arguments.• Gives the case structure and theme of his team.• Presents own arguments.• Provides a summary of his speech.

• 2nd Speaker• Same as the proposition 2nd speaker

• 3rd Speaker• Same as the proposition 3rd speaker

• Reply Speaker• Same as the proposition reply speaker

OPPOSITION:

SPEAKERS' ROLES: ASIAN/

AUSTRALS

POINTS OF INFORMATION (POI)

• A POI can be in a question or statement formand should not take more than 15 seconds.

• Each speaker should accept at least two POIs.• All three members of the team should try to

give POIs, but they must not be disruptive.• POIs are judged on the basis of:

- the threat they pose to the strength of the argumentof the debater.

- value of its wit and humour.

• Responses to the POIs are judged on the basisof:• promptness and confidence in answering.• strength of the response.• value of wit and humour in the response.

SUGGESTIONS FOR COACHES

Day #1

Understanding a motion together withyour debaters. Remember the keywords in the motion.

Finding the benefits/advantages anddisadvantages of the issue behind themotion

Discussing them by providing logicalreasons

SUGGESTIONS FOR COACHES

Day # 2

Reviewing logical reasons

Adding facts/data/information to yourlogical reasons

Explaining in one-elaborated speechwhere there should be benefits followedby logical reasons and facts/data/info.One point of the benefits should beelaborated in this way.

SUGGESTIONS FOR COACHES

Day # 3

Returning to the motion and explaining

about basic premise of key words.

Asking your debaters to find basic

premises of some key words.

SUGGESTIONS FOR COACHES

Day # 4

Learning to make a good definition.

Learning to make a good mechanism

(for THW motion only)

Learning the role of speakers in a

debate team.

SUGGESTIONS FOR COACHES

Day # 5

Practicing a debate battle. You act asthe adjudicator.

Giving your verbal adjudication.

Giving suggestions for betterimprovements in the next battle.