Debate I: Basics & Formats

Presented by Doris L. W. Chang

 Presentation Outline
 What is “Debate”?
 What Can Debate Training Do for You?
 Debate Format
 Basic Glossary
 Work Cited
 What Is Debate?
A debate means
“a regulated discussion of a
proposition by two matched
sides, providing reasoned
arguments for and against
a proposition.”
(Goodnight 149)
 Rules of the Game
 “regulated”: agreed-upon rules
Format,
Speaker responsibilities (judges, affirmative, ne
gative teams, timer)
Proofs, Logical reasoning, cross-examination
Rules of time, expected performances by both t
eams.
 “proposition” 1:
A proposition is a statement that is open to int
erpretation
It shall be
 controversial,
 significant,
 debatable,
 durable, and most importantly,
 with a single idea
 Proposition 2: Examples
In a debate, the affirmative proposes to
change the status quo with a carefully
argued resolution with justification, plan, and
advantages.
RESOLVED: That six years of English in high
school is adequate for a basic education.
RESOLVED: That modern art lacks artistic skill
and creativity
RESOLVED: That AIDS education shall be
introduced at elementary school level.
 What Can Debating Do for You?
It
 cultivates your leadership skills
 Consolidates your investigation & analysis skills
 Trains your critical listening/thinking skills
 Enriches your open-mindedness
 Equips you with better organization & speaking skills
 Builds your self-confidence
 Boosts your teamwork & cooperation ability
 Provides you the fun when wits match with competition
 Debate Formats
 Policy Debate & Value Debate
 Political Debate—Lincoln-Douglas
 Presidential Debates (kennedy-Nixon Debate, 1960)
 Modified press conferences (since questions & issues ar
e chosen by a panel rather than the candidates)
 Academic Debate
 Standard Debate Format (highshool/college)
 Cross-Examination Debate Format
 Policy & Value Debates
Policy Debate Value Debate
Resolutions urge taking Resolutions related to
action evaluating ideas or
includes words like actions
“should” “ought to”
directs the government or Based mostly on
authority concerned subjective reasoning &
persuasion
Emphasizes objective Emphasizes analysis &
arguments backed by persuasion, rather than
evidence evidence
 Lincoln Douglas Debate Format
Affirmative Constructive 6 min.
Negative Cross-exam. of Affirmative 3 min.
Negative Constructive 7 min.
Affirmative Cross-exam. of Negative 3 min.
Affirmative Rebuttal 4 min.
Negative Rebuttal 6 min.
Affirmative Rebuttal 3 min.
 Lincoln-Douglas Debate
 In honor of Lincoln & Douglas
 L-D debates for Illinois State Senate, 1852
 Regular event in National Forensic League, 1980
 A form of value debate
 Two participants only
 Debate value propositions, not policy propositions
 Same amount of time for both speakers, but
 Aff. has a shorter constructive speech, but 2 rebuttals
 More Cross-examination time, and it’s more important th
an building arguments
(Goodnight 21-2)
 Standard Debate Format
1st AC 8 min. High School 10 min. (College)
1st NC 8 min. 10 min.
2nd AC 8 min. 10 min.
2nd NC 8 min. 10 min.
1st NR 4 min. 5 min.
1st AR 4 min. 5 min.
2nd NR 4 min. 5 min.
2nd AR 4 min. 5 min.
Cross-Examination Debate Format
1st AC 8 min. High School 10 min. (College)
N X-exam. 3 min. 3 min.
1st NC 8 min. 10 min.

A X-exam. 3 min. 3 min.

2nd AC 8 min. 10 min.
N X-exam. 3 min. 3 min.
2nd NC 8 min. 10 min.
A X-exam. 3 min. 3 min.
1st NR 4 min. 5 min.
1st AR 4 min. 5 min.
2nd NR 4 min. 5 min.
2nd AR 4 min. 5 min.
 Basic Glossary (Goodnight 149-151)
 Proposition
 Affirmative/negative
 Constructive: speech presenting the team’s major
points
 Rebuttal: speech rebuilding attacked arguments, ref
uting opposing arguments, and summarizing the deb
ate
 Flow Sheeting (flowing)
 Prep. time
 Presumption—the policy in effect should remain in effect
 Prima facie case—
 the aff. should not only overcome presumption, but present a case tha
t is complete “at first sight,” to state a justification, present a plan, list
advantages, and provide sufficient proofs to make it strong enough.
 Glossary 1
 Burden of proof—the aff.’s obligation to prov
ide sufficient reason for adopting the proposi
tion
 Topicality—issue of whether the aff. plan fall
s under and supports the resolution (151).
 Contention
 Voting issues: arguments the teams believe
to be key issues that shall decide who wins t
he debate
 Glossary 2
 Debate brief
the structure most debaters use for organizing
their evidence,
usually a page of arguments and evidence to be
read as needed in debate rounds
1 single argument per sheet,
several pieces of evidence to be quoted when
needed.
(Goodnight 81)
 Proposition Formation
1. The proposition should include
 A single idea, significance, controversy, debatability, durabi
lity
2. Problem area focused question proposition
E.g. Welfare systemmedical care proposition
Resolved:
That the government should guarantee medical care
for those with catastrophic illness
 Questions & Answers
 Sample Debate on LDT (Lie Detector Test)
by students 2004
 Work Cited
Goodnight, Lynn. Getting Started in Debate.
2nd Ed. Lincolnwood, Chicago: NTC,
1994.