Improve your debate skills

Format of a typical debate

1st Affirmative 1

st Negative 2

nd Affirmative/ 2

nd

Negative

3rd

/4th

/ last speeches

Formal intro

Definition and

other clarification

A-team’s case

approach

The split

Arguments

Tie-back

Intro

Rebuttal

N-team’s case-

approach

The split

Arguments

Tie back

Intro

Rebuttal

Link back to case-

approach

Arguments

Tie-back

Most of the speech

spent on rebutting

Summarise and

explain why the

team should be the

winning team.

NOTE: Every speaker except the First affirmative is expected to rebut his or her opposition.

If it’s not your turn to speak, make sure you are LISTENING. A lot of speakers are

just eager to wait for their turn and forget to jot down the opponent team’s points; as

a result, their rebuttal is likely to be insufficient or fails to persuade the judges and

the audience

A formal introduction is only for the first Affirmative. When other speakers start, the

audience and the judges expect a rebuttal immediately as this will show how

enthusiastic and observant the speakers are.

Judges usually use 3 categories to consider a speech

1. Matter – what you say (40%)

A good argument must consist of :

- Assertion – your claim or your thesis statement

Reasoning – explain why or how your argument is generally true

Evidence – convince the audience and the judges that the argument is actually true in

the real world

Tie-back – show how this argument supports your case approach

If you are not familiar with debate, make sure at least the first 3 is fulfilled. Without

the Assertion, Reasoning and Evidence, your opponent can dismiss your argument as

without any merit.

2. Manner – how you say it (40%)

Assessment of manner usually takes notice of

Visual presentation: posture, body language, eye-contact, mannerism. Generally, this

is to assess how confident and comfortable you are while speaking

Vocal presentation: pacing, volume, tone variation. Correct vocal presentation

should help the audience follow what you are saying

Verbal presentation: Clarity, humour. For starter, don’t attempt to be humorous. Just

make sure no flowery words, no acronyms and sufficient clarification on technical

terms

3. Method – how you structure the speeches (20%)

Typically this is about the case-approach, the strategy used in constructing an

argument and the split in the team. Not as important as the other two, but very

difficult to master.

Suggested format This is not a must-do for all of you, but the guidelines would help you figure out how you

would like to structure your own speech when you practice at home.

Formal intro

(1st A)

NOT as simple as “good evening” but an opportunity for you to introduce

the topic => Shape the audience’s perspective by giving them the context

of the debate. A formal intro can take many forms, but should be a brief

characterisation of the issue as you see it

Brief intro “Good evening, Mr Chairman/ Mdm Chair, ladies and gentlemen. I am

…and I would like to disagree with …” then rebuttal

Definition/

Clarification

Not a must due to time restraint.

“Before presenting my argument, I would like to introduce a brief

observation.” <= observation on terms in the question/ topic

Assertion/

Claim Pertaining to/ In view of [topic], this house believes that ….

I affirm/ negate the resolution. Resolved: [claim]

Split

(1st speech)

I would talk about ___ aspect. A/B/C would continue to discuss the

__,__,__ aspects respectively

If you cover that aspect/ perspective, you must talk about ALL

arguments related to that aspect.

Reasoning The use of signposting is necessary for audience to follow your speech

There are __ reasons why this statement is true. 1st/ 2

nd/ 3

rd/, …

My 1st/ 2

nd/ 3

rd … reason is …

Evidence Evidence can be prominent cases, trend & stats, proof by authority, proof

by analogy. Try your best to avoid hypothetical examples. Avoid using the

same examples for many different argument

Tie-back Watch the time-limit. Best if you bring your own watch

Therefore, we infer to the conclusion that [repeat the claim]

Link back to

case

(2nd

/ 3rd

/ …

speech)

Also similar to split but split is generally made by 1st speaker

Our team has shown you that [claim]. Our first speaker has discussed

the case from a ___ perspective. I will continue the case from a ___

point of view. Specifically I have __ arguments.

Rebuttal A. Rebutting the opposition’s theme

Easy: They said that … But, however [rebuttal] because …. For eg ….

Better: The main problem with their case is the assumption that

[opponent’s argument]. [Rebuttal]. For eg, …

B. Rebutting statistics, examples (avoid if you are not sure)

C. Rebutting rebuttal – defending your case

Although defending your case is important, attacking your opposition’s

case is more critical => Do not attempt if no time

NOTE: More important rebuttal should come before less important rebuttal.

More important rebuttal should be allocated more time than less important rebuttal

It is crucial to deal with every argument your opposition raises. Therefore, the role

of the third speaker is to rebut everything that has not been mentioned

Never use evidence in replacement of reasoning because there is no list of examples

that can show an abstract principle should be true