Hi Everyone,
Happy Tuesday! I hope you are all having a great week and I am really enjoying reading through the various debate topics that groups are posting in the discussion forum for my feedback.
Given that many of you are already thinking forward to your debate, I wanted to pass along the following tips from a MALAT student who happened to also be a debate champion in his free time - yes really He put together document and shared it with his class quite a few years ago now but much of what he has here is relevant today. I hope you find it useful as you dig into Assignment Two and I look forward to seeing where you end up.
Enjoy!
Ciao,
Elizabeth
Youtube video explaining the basics of actual
debate (see below for both):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi6Im-Sb6Vw
Quick Guide to Debate
Most individuals think of a debate as an argument where there is an individual attempting to prove their position as right, while the other individual attempts to prove their position as right, or simply, the other person wrong. Although there is truth to this, formal debate is more intensive in that it is not simply argumentation, but a forum in which two opposing sides seek to persuade an audience, or panel of judges, that their position is better to agree with than the other. In fact, the debater need not even agree with the position they must argue as true. There are two sides in a debate, the proposition (PRO - or affirmative) and the opposition (CON - or negative). The proposition seeks to persuade the judges that the resolution or proposition is true and the opposition seeks to persuade that the resolution is not true. Most debate is in a theatre setting where the two sides debate each other verbally and are given ‘X’ amount of time for the initial statements, rebuttals, and conclusions. This allows you to create emphasis and persuasive argument with the benefit of verbal speech which can be augmented in tone, volume, diction etc…
In the initial arguments, both sides will define terms and layout their initial persuasive arguments. Evidence is presented to support arguments usually in the form of current literature available, expert testimony, statistics and other forms of information. The initial statements by both proposition and opposition should follow a logical flow in that: the topic is first introduced, terms are well defined, and subsequent arguments are presented seamlessly. If a position does not define their terms well, it can give the opposing side ammunition in which to counter their position. Arguments should be easily and well understood and not overly complicated, as this can hinder your persuasiveness. The conclusion should be a concise - a summary of information that readdresses the introductions and overall arguments laid out in the initial argument.
Rebuttal should reaffirm your side's position and support previous arguments made in the initial argument. Arguments put forward by the opposing team should be addressed in a well-presented manner. The rebuttal should seek to dissuade the audience or judges from agreeing with the opposing team’s arguments. A way of countering an argument is by utilizing evidences used by the opposition as ammunition to counter the argument made. This could be in the form of using a the opposing positions references against them. Another way to counter would to make the argument that the references used are out-of-date or not applicable to the current public. E.g. If a position used a reference from 1970, you may use a reference from 2018 to show a more current understanding of an issue being raised. Moreover, a position may use references from 1970 and 2018 to seek to persuade the audience or judges that the point they are making is valid from 50 years ago to the present. A good debater is adept at dissuading the audience or judge to consider the opposing arguments.
All-in-all, remember the purpose of your position is to persuade, not provide absolute truth. The position that is the most persuasive wins the debate. A persuasive position: is skilled in how they have written and presented their points; have used good evidence; presented their arguments well; addressed the other positions arguments to bolster their own; introduced and concluded their position. Have a fun time debating.