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Debate/Débat NB is a debating organization for high school students. Our goal is to promote the art of debate throughout the province. Volunteer coaches organize tournaments where students have the opportunity to debate a wide variety of topics. Debating fosters verbal acuity, analytical skills and persuasive powers. Debating also develops self- confidence and poise. These skills remain an integral part of the students' character for life. What is a debate ?A debate is an organized argument between two teams, which follows a set of rules and time limits. 1. Debating Terms Resolution: the topic of the debate "Be it resolved": let us agree Government: the team in favour of the resolution Opposition: the team against the resolution Evidence: the proof used to support your case Refute: to show what is wrong with the other team's evidence Rebuttal: summary of your best arguments 2. Officials Speaker of the House: • Chairperson of the debate (the person in charge!) • Calls each debater to the podium • Rules on procedural violations • Calls on judges to give critique • Concludes the debate Judges: • Assign marks • Critique each debater • Announce winner 3. Preparing For a Debate a. Define the resolution---every word b. Address key issues: • Cost • Morality • Harmful or beneficial • Freedom vs. control • Short & long-term consequences • Individual vs. majority rights. c. Build on those basic issues with facts, figures & statistics d. Prepare a skeleton speech on cue cards e. Allot time for rebuttal 4. Team Responsibilities Government: • Define the resolution • Present a plan to implement the resolution • Prove that the resolution is necessary and beneficial • Refute the arguments of the Opposition
Opposition: • Refute the arguments of the Government • Prove that there is no need for change • Prove that the resolution is not beneficial 5. Individual Responsibilities Prime Minister • Define the resolution (set limits) • Justify that the resolution is necessary • Explain benefits of plan • Describe plan to implement resolution • Be prepared for Opposition arguments • Strong conclusion First Opposition • Take notes during P.M. speech • What was and wasn't said? • Contest the definition, if necessary • Was P.M.'s speech all opinion? • Identify weaknesses in Gov. plan • Attack words like "maybe" or "seems" • Address key issues (see 3b) • Refute specific P.M. comments • Strong conclusion Second Government • Take notes during Opp. speeches • Grab the attention of the audience with strong intro. • Refute key arguments-don't get led astray! • Add support and evidence to your position • Summarize key points of Govt. position • Strong conclusion
Leader of Opposition • Take notes during Govt. speeches • Strong intro. that attacks Govt. • Attack key issues-don't get led astray! • Defend your position • Remember 3 b! • Strong conclusion
P.M. Rebuttal • Identify the key arguments before you begin • Start with a bang! • Cover some ground • Be specific • Do not introduce new evidence (see rules) • Strong conclusion 6. Style & delivery • Use formal language • Address the Speaker of the House often • Refer to opponents by titles • Open & close with a strong statement • Use signal words & phrases • Watch your body language • Make eye contact with everyone • Speak clearly. Use speed and tone to draw attention • Do not read a prepared speech
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