Debate

A debate is a discussion or structured contest about an issue or a resolution. It is a team sport, you must work together while preparing and during it!

• Key Terms
• Roles
• Structure

Team Line

It's a general statement of what your team is arguing in the debate.All of the arguments should be consistent with the team line.Ex:
"Today, the affirmative team belives that... we should allow refugees into Canada as it is the morally right thing to do"
"The negative team will prove to you today that... television is not the major cause of violence in our society"

Team Split

It tells everybody what your team's arguments will be and which speaker is presenting them.You can write down all your arguments, categorize them and then divide them between your team.

Rebuttal

It is where you explain the flaws in the other team's arguments.You can attack the argument itself as illogical or irrelevant, the evidence used to justify it or you can argue that the positive outcomes are outweighted by the negatives, the your team's arguments are more likely, etc.You attack the arguments not the speakers! NEVER use insults.

Debate Preparation:

Choose the topic.Organize the teams.Establish rules.Research the topics.Gather evidence and examples.Anticipate counterarguments and pepare rebuttals.Plan order and content for the debate.

Debate Conduction

1. First Speaker (Affirmative) introduces the topic and presents arguments in support [5 - 10min]

2. First Speaker (Negative) presents arguments against the topic [5 - 10mins]

3. Second Speaker (Affirmative) presents futher arguments in support, identifies areas of conflict and answers questions raised by the opposition speaker. [5 - 10mins]

4. Second Speaker (Negative) presents futher arguments against, identifies futher areas of conflict and answers questions raised by the affirmative speaker. [5 - 10mins]

Debate Conduction

5. The opposing team beings with the rebuttal, attempting to defend the opposing arguments
and to defeat the supporting arguments without adding any new information. [3 - 5min]

6. First rebuttal of the affirmative team [3 - 5mins]

7. Each team has a second rebuttal for closing statements [3 - 5mins]

There cannot be any interruptions. Speakers must wait their turns.