A guide for the conduct necessary for a logical and well-reasoned debate. In our current climate, an understanding of the rules expected of debate. Can be used in a different form depending on if students are looking at a language analysis text or article, or if they are preparing for a debate.

1. R ules and Expectations
of conduct for rational
debate

2. Learning Intention: To understand
the 12 principles and apply them to
the real world.
Success Criteria: For
you to be able to
consider these
principles in reference
to a selected text.
Your Task:
How much are these
principles followed in our
world?
Where do you believe
these principles need to
be applied?

3. Principle 1: Fallibility
Accept you may be wrong, come with
an open mind, accept that your
opponent may also be wrong, or that
either of you may not hold the most
defensible position.
Accepting fallibility means thinking
scientifically, consider the history of
science as the constant updating via
disproving previous held views or
understandings.

4. Principle 2: Truth Seeking
Be a lifelong learner who aims to shift
their position on ideas frequently.
Consider all avenues and positions,
do not ignore alternative positions.

5. Principle 3: Clarity
Avoid confusing, vague or ambiguous
language or structure. Do not try to
disguise your opinion or arguments.
Do not fall back on references to
semantic differences or linguistics.

6. Principle 4: The Burden of Proof
The person putting forward the
argument has the responsibility to
attempt to prove their position with
evidence, wherever possible.

7. Principle 5: Principle of Charity
Do not mishandle or reduce the
argument of your opponent, do your
level best to understand and re-
express their argument clearly where
possible. If your opponent misspeaks
or makes and error be charitable and
allow them a reformulation.

8. Principle 6: Structural clarity
Arguments should be clearly
structured and well-formed, without
contradictions and clear, consistent
conclusions.
Your argument should use valid
deductive inferences.

9. Principle 7: Relevance
Include only content relevant to your
own or your opponents positions.
Avoid extraneous topics or needless
attacks.

10. Principle 8: Acceptability
Evidence and reasons used should be
acceptable to a mature, rational
person. This also means that care is
taken for evidence to be sources and
cross-checked with the greatest care.

11. Principle 9: Sufficiency
Endeavour should be taken to
provide a sufficient number and
weight of evidence and reasons.

12. Principle 10: Rebuttal
A participant should rebut and
respond to all anticipated serious
criticisms of their argument.

13. Principle 11 - Concluding the Debate: Suspension of
Judgement
If no one clearly wins the argument
or debate, judgement should be
avoided if possible.

14. Principle 12 - Concluding the Debate: Resolution
If all of the above 10 principles are
met then the debate should be
declared either for or against and the
debate brought to a conclusion.