Transcript Are You Convinced Yet!

Are You Convinced Yet!
A guide to creating your debate
By P. Evans
What is Debate?
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Debate is a game in which two opposing
teams make arguments in support of their
views and disagree with the views of the
other team.
Debate is a great tool for learning
analytical thinking skills and for forcing
self conscious reflection on the validity of
one’s ideas (Nisbett, 2003).
Debating Terms
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Resolution: the opinion
about which two team
argues.
Affirmative Team: The
team that agrees with the
resolution.
Negative Team: The team
that disagrees with the
resolution.
Rebuttal: This explains
why one team disagrees
with the other.
Judges: They decide the
winner.
Reasons for Opinion
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The resolution is an opinion for which there can be valid
disagreement. One agrees or disagree with the resolution regardless
of personal beliefs. The resolution is usually introduced by an
opinion indicator such as ‘I think/ I believe that’.
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In order for your arguments to be convincing, the reasons for your
resolution must be strong.
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The reason gives an explanation of why that belief is held. It is
usually introduced by a reason indicator such as’ because / since’.
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A strong reason is logical, specific and convincing.
Supporting your Opinion
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Your support must consist of
evidence.
An evidence can be an
example drawn from personal
experience.
It can be common sense –
things that you think
everybody should know.
Expert opinion is another
evidence. This is what the
experts believe and is drawn
from research.
Evidence could also be
statistics and comes from
research.
Predicting and Refuting The
Opponents Argument.
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Refuting your opponent’s argument is an
important part of a debate.
Brainstorming for strong arguments your
opponents may use will help you prepare a good
rebuttal.
Taking notes during your opponent’s arguments
helps you to be clear about what they are
arguing.
Take the three strongest arguments from your
opponent’s speeches and compose your rebuttal.
Pros and Cons
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The goal of an argument is to
win acceptance of your ideas.
To help you to win the
argument, you must anticipate
any opposition your opponent
might raise and develop a
defense against their
arguments.
Creating a ‘pros’ and ‘cons’
chart is a strategy to use when
preparing your argument. It
provides a balance view of the
issues.
Debating Format
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First speaker from affirmative team introduce the topic and state the
first argument.
The first speaker from the negative team state the first argument.
The second speaker from the affirmative team state the second
argument.
The second speaker from the negative team state their second
argument.
Provide time for each team to prepare their rebuttal.
The negative team gives two rebuttals for the affirmative team two
arguments and then summarizes their own two reasons.
The affirmative team gives two arguments for the negative team
two arguments, then summarizes their own two reasons.
The judges determine the winner based on the team that produced
the strongest and clearest arguments/ reasons, support and
rebuttals.