This document outlines the objectives and structure of a debate, including the roles of the affirmative and negative sides, the significance of the burden of proof, and common debate procedures. It emphasizes key concepts such as resolutions, refutation, and rebuttal, while providing guidelines for how debaters should prepare and present their arguments. Additionally, it offers practical tips and common pitfalls to avoid during debates.

1. DEBATE

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this lesson, the students will be able to:
a)Familiarize the format and structure of debate
b)Explicate the signifance of the burden of
proof; burden of proof fallacy; and
c)Distinguish the do’s and dont’s in a debate

3. COMMON TERMS:
IS A DISCIPLINED FORM OF ARGUMENT OR EXCHANGE
OF VIEWPOINTS ABOUT A GIVEN SUBJECT
DEBATE
1
A SIMPLE STATEMENT THAT IS SUBJECTED TO CRITICAL
ANALYSIS
RESOLUTION
SUPPORTING THE RESOLUTION (PRO-SIDE) ; SPEAKS FIRST
AFFIRMATIVE TEAM
3
OPPOSING THE ARGUMENTS OFFERED BY THE AFFRIMATIVE
AND OFFERS ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE RESOLUTION (CON-SIDE)
NEGATIVE TEAM
4
2
5
REBUTTAL
A FINAL STATEMENTS MADE BY BOTH TEAMS TO SUMMARIZE THEIR
RESPECTIVE OPINIONS
6
JUDGE
A NEUTRAL PARTY; DECIDES WHICH SIDE IS MOST PERSUASIVE

4. WHAT IS DEBATE?
A debate is a structured contest where you try to win by creating the
most convincing argument. Debates are oftentimes formal but can
occur in informal settings as well.
INTRODUCTION TO DEBATE
There are two sides in a debate, known as the Affirmative (or Government) and
the Negative (or Opposition). The terms pro and con and/or for and against often
come up here, which are also fine. The subject to be discussed is known by a
number of terms: the Resolution (the most commonly used term), the Proposition,
the Bill, the Measure or the Issue.

5. AFFIRMATIVE SIDE
In debates, the affirmative side must establish all the issues. If the
affirmative side fails to prove any one of the issues, he/she loses the
case; and, as he/she fails thus to make out a prima facie case , the
opposing team has no obligation to present any evidence in his/her
defense.
NEGATIVE SIDE
The negative side may choose among the issues presented by the
affirmative what ones admit and ones to deny. If the negative succeeds in
blocking the affirmative on any issue, the negative wins.

6. QUESTION RESOLUTION
“Are these the best of all times?” B.I.R.T. these are the best of all times.
“Are women better than men?” B.I.R.T. women are better than men.
 There are different types of resolutions. The two most common are resolutions
of value and resolutions of policy. Resolutions are in Parliamentary debate,
preceded by the expression “Be It Resolved That (or B.I.R.T.)”.
 Resolutions or propositions of value generally deal with a philosophical
questions and are worded as positive statements (refer to the sample on the
table)

7. DISTINGUISH BETWEEN EVIDENCE AND PROOF
The terms evidence and proof are generally taken by the layman to mean the
same thing. But, strictly the two terms do not mean the same thing. The term
evidence refers to the medium or means whereby the facts are established;
while the proof refers to the effect or conclusion produced by evidence. As for
that, proof is that which convinces; evidence is that which tends to convince.
THE BURDEN OF PROOF
Is the obligation to provide supporting evidence for any arguments that a
speaker or devbater makes.
THE BURDEN OF PROOF FALLACY
Occurs when someone claims they don’t have a burden of proof with regard to
their own arguments, or when someone attempts to shift their own burden of
proof to someone else.

8. DEBATE STRUCTURE
 In a debate, a statement or a resolution is usually given.
 In a debate, participants must either choose the affirmative or
negative side.
 Debaters are given an ample time to prepare and have the
opportunity to speak for a set amount of time.
 Debaters take turns between affirmative and negative sides.
 Finally, a judge makes a decision on which side made the
most convincing arguments and won the debate.

9. REFUTATION AND REBUTTAL
A refutation or to refute is an attack against the other team’s arguments.
Meanwhile, rebuttal is a defense against the refutation (the rebuttal must rebuild
your teammates’ original argument)

11. DEBATE TIME
 Each member will get 4 min. to present their speech
 1st bell will be given at 3 min.
 2nd bell will be given at 3.30 min.
 Final bell will be rang at 4 min.
Order of the following speakers in a debate:
 1st speaker (Affirmative)
 1st speaker (Negative)
 2nd speaker (Affirmative)
 2nd speaker (Negative)
 3rd speaker (Negative; Rebuttal)
 3rd Speaker (Afffirmative; Rebuttal)
Note:
 Extra 2 min. will be given
for BRAINSTORMING
 Additional 2 min. for
REBUTTAL (logical clarity)

12. DO’S AND DONT’S!
 Cue cards can help a debater to stay focused, but don’t read from
them, use them only as a guide.
 Collect materials related to your issues. GOOGLE IT!
 Don’t let your emotions get the better of you.
 Do be aware of your teammates plan(s).
 Don’t try to juggle too many points at once. State your ideas in
logical order.