LET THE DEBATES BEGIN

1)   An introduction to our unit on DEBATE
             What do you know about debate and debating?

2)  BASIC TERMINOLOGY FOR A MODIFIED LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE

PROPOSITION/RESOLUTION: A debate proposition, sometimes called a resolution is the subject of the debate. It is a debatable argument  on either side. 

AFFIRMATIVE TEAM: The affirmative team is the one which supports the proposition. The affirmative team offers the DEFINITIONS for the debate.

NEGATIVE TEAM: The negative team is the one which challenges the proposition.

CASE: The outline of the logical argument being put forth by a team in the debate.

CONSTRUCTIVE SPEECHES: The first and second speeches from the Affirmative and Negatives teams during a debate are the constructive speeches. During the constructive speeches, each team builds its case, developing and defending its arguments, and responding to the opposing team.

CROSS EXAMINATION: Each constructive speech will be followed by a cross-examination period. Under no circumstances should any speaker cross-examine twice in the same round.

EVIDENCE : The citation of evidence is essential to a debate. Evidence may consist of facts, figures or expert opinions that support the contentions made by the speakers. The opposing team must demand evidence to support contentions if none has been cited.

FLOW SHEET: A flow sheet is an outline of the debate that keeps track of opposing arguments and whether a team has successfully rebutted (or poked holes in the argument).

REBUTTAL SPEECHES: The final two/four speeches of a debate are the rebuttal

speeches. In the rebuttal speeches, the speakers rebuild arguments that have been attacked, refuting opposing arguments and summarizing the debate from their own perspective.  NEW INFORMATION may not be introduced.

3)   Mock mini-debate with a partner Resolution:
         Be it resolved that schools should block the use of
         mobile phones during school hours.

TIMING:
10 minutes to prepare - affirmative and negative teams
2 minutes affirmative
2 minutes negative
1 minute to prepare questions
2 minutes open crossfire
1 minute affirmative summary
1 minute negative summary
DONE

LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE TUTORIAL


       

MS FINAL DEBATE COMPETITION



CLICK HERE to read a little about the history of the LINCOLN-DOUGLAS debate.