A-206 A-206 The DebatersThe Debaters

Let’s Get it ON!Let’s Get it ON!

Introducing the DebateIntroducing the Debate

What is a debate?What is a debate? Debating is not just having an Debating is not just having an

argument. argument. It involves skills such as research, It involves skills such as research,

preparation, teamwork, speaking preparation, teamwork, speaking skills, and persuasion. skills, and persuasion.

There are rules for the way the There are rules for the way the debate is organized, and the kind debate is organized, and the kind of arguments you may use. of arguments you may use.

What makes a topic What makes a topic debatable?debatable?

For our purposes, just about any For our purposes, just about any ‘opinion’ topic is fodder for ‘opinion’ topic is fodder for debate.debate. Canada needs a better military.Canada needs a better military. LHHS should begin classes at LHHS should begin classes at

10am and end at 4.10am and end at 4. All students should receive All students should receive

laptops.laptops.

What makes a topic What makes a topic debatable?debatable?

The topic up for debate is called The topic up for debate is called the ‘the ‘moot’. moot’.

For each moot, there will be two For each moot, there will be two teams of three: teams of three: The Affirmative (pro-moot)The Affirmative (pro-moot) The Negative (against the moot)The Negative (against the moot)

The teamThe team

Each team will consist of four Each team will consist of four jobs:jobs: Leader introduces argumentsLeader introduces arguments First Speaker makes more First Speaker makes more

arguments, some rebuttalarguments, some rebuttal Second Speaker offers mostly Second Speaker offers mostly

rebuttalrebuttal Leader gives a summary Leader gives a summary

Tips / Hints / SuggestionsTips / Hints / Suggestions

Research your topicResearch your topic Brainstorm your ideas and order Brainstorm your ideas and order

the ‘strengths’. If your the ‘strengths’. If your arguments are weak, either arguments are weak, either make it stronger or scrap it.make it stronger or scrap it.

‘‘Know your Enemy’..What will Know your Enemy’..What will the other side say? Disarm the other side say? Disarm them.them.

Tips / Hints / SuggestionsTips / Hints / Suggestions

Choose the order of your Choose the order of your speakers carefully:speakers carefully: The Leader needs to be The Leader needs to be

convincing w/ good body languageconvincing w/ good body language The third speaker needs to be The third speaker needs to be

able to argue off the top of their able to argue off the top of their head.head.

The Second speaker needs to be The Second speaker needs to be able to do both.able to do both.

Here’s what we’re going to Here’s what we’re going to do…do…

Decide on topicsDecide on topics Divide into groups of three...if Divide into groups of three...if

this is not possible, this is not possible, I I will re-will re-arrange. No arguments, please.arrange. No arguments, please.

We WILL need to have an even We WILL need to have an even number of teams.number of teams.

Organize the teams (leader, 1Organize the teams (leader, 1stst and 2and 2ndnd speakers). speakers).

Here’s what we’re going to Here’s what we’re going to do…do…

11stst team meeting: team meeting: Decide on jobsDecide on jobs Brainstorm MAIN arguments…Brainstorm MAIN arguments…

what do you know already?what do you know already? Research…be able to quote facts Research…be able to quote facts

and figures.and figures.

To the Research…To the Research…

Go to the laptops or lab and do Go to the laptops or lab and do QUALITY research…Despite QUALITY research…Despite the hatred some teachers have the hatred some teachers have for wikipedia, I feel it is valuable. for wikipedia, I feel it is valuable. Check it out. Check it out.

Here’s what we’re going to Here’s what we’re going to do…do… Here’s the work…Each member Here’s the work…Each member

NEEDS to write out their NEEDS to write out their statements.statements. Leader writes an introduction and Leader writes an introduction and

summary of moot.summary of moot. 11stst speaker writes another point of speaker writes another point of

moot AND prepares arguments.moot AND prepares arguments. 22ndnd speaker prepares many speaker prepares many

arguments (ie…what would the arguments (ie…what would the other side say?)other side say?)

Here’s what we’re going to Here’s what we’re going to do…do…

I will be checking your written I will be checking your written work tomorrow. This work will work tomorrow. This work will have a value to it. Those have a value to it. Those without their work done will be without their work done will be offered an alternate assignment offered an alternate assignment – probably something like – probably something like grammar sheets. Woot! grammar sheets. Woot!