An introduction to debating, including information on speaker roles, scoring (manner, matter and method), and some quick tips.

1. A Crash Course…

2. Debating:
the art of persuasion.

3. Two Teams:
1st speaker
2nd speaker
3rd speaker
1st speaker
2nd speaker
3rd speaker

4. Speaker Roles
FIRST SPEAKER
 Gives the team line and model (if needed)
 AFFIRMATIVE: States team’s view of the definition
 NEGATIVE: Rebuts opponents arguments (approximately
one quarter of speech)
 Explains the team split (what they intend to cover and
what 2nd speaker will cover)
 Argues a case: introduce 1 or 2 good arguments.

5. Speaker Roles
SECOND SPEAKER
 Rebuts main arguments of their opponent: approximately
one-quarter to one-third of speech
 Reminds audience of what first speaker covered and what
they are going to cover
 Argues a case: introduces about 2 to 3 arguments (other
team makes notes for rebuttal)
 Summarizes arguments.

6. Speaker Roles
THIRD SPEAKER
 Rebuts opponents’ arguments – about 6-8 rebuttals
(other team makes notes for rebuttal) – three quarters of
speech
 Summarizes the arguments of the first and second speaker
 Concludes with the team line

7. What wins a debate?

8. Matter
 Matter is your material – the stuff that you
say.
 Worth 40% of your score.
 Must have arguments which are backed up by
evidence.
 Every argument should pass two tests:
1. Is the argument logical (i.e. does it make sense?)
2. Is the argument relevant (i.e. can it be linked back to
the topic you are arguing?)

9. MatterExample: “People should go vegetarian because
it results in a much healthier diet.”
Example: “A vegetarian diet will be high in
fruits and vegetables, which in turn provides
the body with many more vitamins and
minerals and a much lower amount of fat than
a meat-based diet, all of which help people
live longer, healthier lives.”
Example: For example, a recent British study
found that a vegetarian diet resulted in a 25%
decrease in heart disease, while a vegan diet
saw a 57% lower incident of heart disease
when compared with a meat-based diet.”

10. Manner
 Manner relates to your presentation – how
you deliver your speech.
 Worth 40% of your score.
 An engaging delivery is needed to make sure
that people listen to your arguments.
 Includes: tone, volume, pacing hand gestures,
eye contact, stance, and use of notes.

11. method
 Your method is how well organised your
speech is and how well you fulfil your
speaker’s role.
 Worth 20% of your score.
 Clarity and structure!
 Determined by things like:
 Keeping to the time limit
 Clear Signposting
 Having a clear team split

12.  Method (20%)
o organization of material
o proper fulfillment of
speaker roles
o signposting
o time management
Scoring
 Matter (40%)
o general knowledge
o persuasive arguments
o rebuttal
 Manner (40%)
o confidence
o voice
o gesture and stance
x 3
(3 speakers)

14. That we Should ban
violent video games.

15. Final Tips:
• Try to have some good rebuttals prepared for the
other team’s strongest/most likely points.
• Good delivery comes from familiarity with what
you are discussing – research thoroughly and
prepare what you can.
• Give us your best points early on – your strongest
arguments should be with your first speaker.
• Don’t go over or under time – pay close attention
to the knocks, start summing up after the first
knock and sit down within a two sentences of
hearing the second knock.