This document provides information and guidelines for participating in a debate. It defines key terms like debate, resolution, affirmative and negative teams, and rebuttal. It explains that the judges decide the winner. It provides examples of strong versus weak reasons and ways to support reasons, including experience, common sense, expert opinion, and statistics. It also includes debate resolutions and instructions for participants to generate and evaluate reasons.

1. Abdul Syahid & Leny Mahdalena
Debate

2. Basic Terms
• a game in which two opposing
teams make speeches to support
their arguments and disagree
with those of the other team.
Debate:
• the opinion about which two
teams argue.
Resolution:

3. Basic Terms
• agrees with the resolution.
Affirmative team:
• disagrees with the resolution.
Negative team:
• explains why one team disagrees with the other
team.
Rebuttal:
• decide the winner.
Judges:

4. Opinions and Reasons
An opinion can be introduced by an opinion indicator
"I think/believe that smoking should be banned in public places..."
A reason explains why that opinion is held and can be introduced
by a reason indicator:
"...because/since secondhand smoke is harmful for nonsmokers."

5. STRONG REASONS VERSUS WEAK
REASONS

6. it is convincing to a
majority of people.
it logically supports the
opinion.
it is specific and states
the idea clearly.
A strong reason
1
2
3

7. Smoking should be banned in public
places because:
it is bad.
it gives people bad breath
and makes their teeth yellow.
secondhand smoke is harmful
for nonsmokers.
 
 
 

8. Giving Support for Your Reasons
Support consists of evidence.
• from your own experience or from what you heard or read.
Example:
• things that you believe everybody knows.
Common Sense:
• the opinions of experts -- this comes from research.
Expert Opinion:
• this also comes from research.
Statistics: numbers --

9. With Your Partner, Think of at Least One Strong
Reason for Each Resolution
Women should quit their
job after they get married.
Love is more important
than money.
It is better to be married
than single.

10. Now Compare Your Reasons
with Another Pair;
Decide Whose Reasons are
Stronger;
Why.

11. Have a great debate!