[Argumentation & Debate] 2.

Debate Application By Julia

[Argumentation & Debate] 2. Debate Application

Julia YC Kang

I. Before we start…
What tips do you learn from these clips on Youtube?
 The Art of Debate: Never Lose an Argument Again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LesGw274Kjo
 Top 10 Debate Tips from Wellesley College
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWX4q6QBEC4
 How To Win Any Argument - 10 Amazing Debate Tips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eWclVCXOtk
 Donald Trump's Debates: 5 Mental Tricks you Didn't Notice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LR6EA91zLo

Note

II. Tips for Winning a Debate

DEBATING builds your flair in logical thinking, language and confidence in public
speaking. In order to win in a debate competition, you need to research the topic
thoroughly to gather concrete evidence to build up your case of what your team
stands for – pros (arguments for the topic/title) or the cons (arguments against or a
rebuttal). Some comments and tips are given to apply in a debate competition, as
below:
1.
If you're speaking to a mostly conservative Christian crowd, telling anti-religious
jokes won't get them on your side. You're trying to get through to them, so you don't
want to give them easy reasons to not listen to you.
2.
It’s more on your soft skill experience on how to understand people. Once, you
understand them, you will be able to predict or anticipate what they will say in the
debate.
3.
They mean well; they're just wrong. Don't resort to insults. Don't laugh out loud while
they speak. You end up looking bad. Attack their arguments, not them.
4.
That's not gonna happen. Just win over the crowd. Destroy the stereotypes they
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might have. Challenge them.
5.
If she makes a good point, say she made a good point. How many times do we see
politicians on TV ever say, "Yeah, the other party had the right idea there?" They
think it's a sign of weakness. It's not. It's a sign of strength. By the same token,
don't be afraid to say you don't know something. But say you'll figure it out and post
an answer somewhere publicly.
6.
Debates can get academic, with long words that are better suited for an advanced
philosophy class. Don't be that person. Speak to us like we're having a conversation at
a restaurant. Am I saying you should dumb it down for us? YES! The audience
probably doesn't think about this stuff on a regular basis, so don't impress us with
your knowledge of seven-syllable words. Your goal is to get us to think differently,
not bore us to sleep.
7.
Atheists already have a bad reputation, but if you're smiling as you speak, people will
just like you more. They'll listen to you more. You can smile and still make very strong
points.
8.
The other side is bound to say something ridiculous like God says homosexuality is a
sin or the Bible is literally true or they'll toss out Pascal's Wager as if it's a good
idea. Don't get angry. Don't call them names. Just refute them.
9.
No one changes everything they believe in the span of an hour. If you're good and
lucky, you'll plant some seeds of doubt.
10.
If you do, you’ve lost it — the attention of the judges as well as the audience. In
addition, it shows you have not prepared well.
11.
Bear in mind that you are presenting your speech to different types in the audience.
Meaning, not everyone in the room can understand the technical words you found in
your research. Avoiding the use of technical words is a winning tip — to make people
understand what you are saying.
12.
Don’t quote from newspapers to avoid inaccurate data and information. The candidate
will fare better to find an original source and use it as reference. Hence, you can use
(quote or paraphrase) speech from high ranking officials and government policy, which
is more reliable.
13.
Debating is not about presenting your evidence only. It’s about listening to the other
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party and take note on what they are saying, to rebut. If you catch them straying or
say something wrong, it’s your chance to kill them off.
14.
Before going to the real debate, you and teammates should try to predict what will
happen during the debate. Be ready to deliver quick response to your opposition
party, by creating (simulating) different scenarios for retort in pros and cons, is
diligent preparation.
15.
Who can forget Al Gore's endless sighing during the 2000 debates against Republic
contender George W. Bush? As a Time Magazine piece at the time noted, "It
sparked endless mockery as did his leaving the podium and coming within inches of
Bush during a response." Mind this point, and always use positive, proactive gestures
to reinforce a point.
16.
In the 1984 presidential debates between President Ronald Reagan and Democratic
contender Walter Mondale, there was genuine concern that Reagan had lost a step
and was simply too old to run for re-election. When a reporter raised the point,
Reagan sighed, "I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to
exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience." Even Mondale
laughed out loud.
Following these tips will get you a high percentage to winning in a debate.
However, as a reality check, it’s up to how well you can present concrete evidence to
prove your case to the judges. Good luck on your next debate!

III. Debate Terms

The opinion in a debate is
called the proposition
or . The debate
team that agrees with the
proposition is called
the . The team
that disagrees with the resolution
is the . The
people in charge of evaluating the
debate are called s.

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IV. Debate in the News

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1. Whale should be protected. 2. The number of fish is declining
because the big ones are eating the
small ones.
3. Canadian fish are tastier than 4. The government should take action
Australian beef. to improve the economy.
5. The government should not allow the 6. Workers should try to help the
catching of whales. economy more.
7. Overfishing off the Newfoundland 8. The economy is getting better.
coast destroys fishing.
9. All of the whales in aquariums and 10. It is better to eat fish than to eat
amusement parks should be set beef.
free.

RESOLUTION:

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RESOLUTION:

V. Conducting a Debate
1. Debate Preparation (Unscramble the Order!)
Prepare room for debate.
Establish expectations, if any, for assessment of debate.
Research the topic and prepare logical arguments.
Develop the resolution to be debated.
Gather supporting evidence and examples for position taken.
Establish the rules of the debate, including timelines.
Anticipate counter arguments and prepare rebuttals.
Organize the teams.
Team members plan order and content of speaking in debate.

2. Debate opens with the affirmative team (the team that supports the resolution)
presenting their arguments, followed by a member of the opposing team. This pattern
is repeated for the second speaker in each team. Finally, each team gets an
opportunity for rebutting the arguments of the opponent. Speakers should speak
slowly and clearly. The judges and members of the audience should be taking notes as
the debate proceeds. A typical sequence for debate, with suggested timelines, is as
follows:
 The first speaker on the affirmative team presents arguments in support of the
resolution. (5 – 10 minutes)
 The first speaker on the opposing team presents arguments opposing the
resolution. (5 – 10 minutes)

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 The second speaker on the affirmative team presents further arguments in
support of the resolution, identifies areas of conflict, and answers questions that
may have been raised by the opposition speaker. (5 – 10 minutes)
 The second speaker on the opposing team presents further arguments against
the resolution, identifies further areas of conflict, and answers questions that
may have been raised by the previous affirmative speaker. (5 – 10 minutes)
 The rules may include a short recess for teams to prepare their rebuttals. (5
minutes)
 The opposing team begins with the rebuttal, attempting to defend the opposing
arguments and to defeat the supporting arguments without adding any new
information. (3 – 5 minutes)
 First rebuttal of the affirmative team (3 – 5 minutes)
 Each team gets a second rebuttal for closing statements with the affirmative
team having the last opportunity to speak. (3 – 5 minutes each)
 There cannot be any interruptions. Speakers must wait their turns.

Humans are primarily driven by self-interest.

[ref] https://www.speechanddebate.org/big-questions-2018-2019-topic-analysis/

Reference
5 Tips for Winning a Debate
https://www.inc.com/steve-cody/5-ways-to-win-a-debate.html
10 Tips on Winning a Debate
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50669403/10-tips-on-winning-a-debate
10 Tips for Winning a Debate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdY5wAhDXtg
Conducting a Debate
https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/socstud/frame_found_sr2/tns/tn-13.pdf
High School Topics
https://www.speechanddebate.org/nationals-topics/