The document discusses public speaking and debate, defining public speaking as the act of addressing an audience to inform, persuade, or entertain. It describes various types of speeches and provides tips for effective communication, such as understanding the audience and organizing content. Additionally, it emphasizes critical thinking in debate contexts, detailing different debate types and the ethical standards required for maintaining integrity in discussions.

1. PUBLIC SPEAKING AND DEBATE
Public speaking - the act of delivering a speech or
presentation to a live audience. It is a form of communication
where an individual addresses a group of people with the
intent of informing, persuading, entertaining, or inspiring
them. Public speaking can take various forms, including
formal presentations, lectures, sermons, debates, and
more. The goal is to effectively convey a message to the
audience and engage them in a meaningful way.
TYPES OF PUBLIC SPEECHES:
1. Informative Speech
- Designed to educate or share information with the
audience.
- Focuses on presenting facts, concepts, or explanations
2. Persuasive Speech
- Aims to influence the audience's beliefs, attitudes, or
behaviors.
- Utilizes reasoning, evidence, and emotional appeals to
persuade.
3. Entertaining Speech
- Intended to amuse, captivate, or entertain the audience.
- Often includes humor, anecdotes, or storytelling.
4. Demonstrative Speech
- Involves showing the audience how to do something.
- May include practical demonstrations or visual aids.
5. Special Occasion Speech
- Delivered on specific events or ceremonies.
-Examples include wedding toasts, eulogies, and award
acceptance speeches.
6. Motivational Speech
- Aims to inspire and encourage the audience.
- Often focuses on personal development and positive
change.
7. Impromptu Speech
- Given without prior preparation. Requires the speaker to
think on their feet and respond spontaneously.
8. Debate Speech
- Presented in a structured debate format.
- Involves arguing a specific position or perspective.
TIPS IN PUBLIC SPEAKING:
1. Know Your Audience
- Tailor your message to the needs and interests of your
audience. Consider their demographics, interests, and
knowledge level.
2. Clear Purpose
- Define a clear and concise purpose for your speech.
Ensure your main message is evident and memorable.
3. Structured Content
- Organize your speech with a clear introduction, body, and
Conclusion. Use a logical flow and transitions between
ideas.
4. Engaging Introduction
- Grab your audience's attention with a compelling opening.
- Consider using a relevant anecdote, quote, or intriguing
fact.
5. Effective Body
- Develop key points with supporting evidence. Use
examples, statistics, and anecdotes to illustrate your ideas.
6. Master Non-Verbal Communication
- Maintain good posture and eye contact. Use gestures to
emphasize points, but avoid excessive movements.
7. Tone and Voice Modulation
-Vary your tone and pitch to keep your audience engaged.
Pay attention to your pacing, avoiding monotony.
8. Use Visual Aids Wisely
- Utilize visual aids (slides, charts, etc.) to enhance
understanding. Ensure they are clear, simple, and directly
related to your message.
9. Manage Nervousness
- Practice deep breathing and relaxation techniques.
Rehearse your speech multiple times to build confidence.
10. Interact with the Audience
- Encourage questions and participation. Foster a
connection by acknowledging the audience's presence.
Critical thinking - the intellectual process of analyzing,
evaluating, and synthesizing information in a systematic and
disciplined manner. It involves active, reflective, and
independent thinking to make reasoned judgments and
decisions. Critical thinkers question assumptions, consider
multiple perspectives, and assess the validity and relevance
of information before forming conclusions or making
decisions.

2. Key components of critical thinking include the ability
to:
a. Understand the Issue - Grasp the context and identify
the central problem or question.
b. Gather Information - Collect relevant data and
information from diverse sources.
c. Evaluate Evidence - Assess the quality, credibility, and
reliability of evidence and arguments.
d. Consider Alternative Perspectives - Explore different
viewpoints and approaches to the issue.
e. Draw Informed Conclusions - Formulate well-reasoned
conclusions based on evidence
and analysis.
f. Think Systematically - Organize thoughts in a logical and
structured manner.
g. Communicate Effectively - Express ideas clearly and
persuasively.
USAGE OF CRITICAL THINKING
1. Debate - a structured form of argumentation where
two or more individuals present and defend
opposing viewpoints on a specific topic. It
encourages critical thinking by requiring participants
to analyze evidence, counter arguments, and
logically defend their positions.
- a formalized process that follows established rules
and formats, often involving constructive speeches,
cross-examinations, and rebuttals. The goal of a
debate is to persuade the audience or judges that
one side's position is more valid or convincing than
the other.
- Participants are assigned specific roles – affirming
or opposing a resolution – and are required to
support their arguments with evidence, logic, and
effective communication skills. Debates can take
place in various settings, including academic
competitions, political forums, and public
discussions.
(“pro” versus “con”)
2. Individual Decisions - assessing available
information, considering alternatives, and
making informed choices based on reasoned
judgment rather than impulsive reactions.
3. Group Discussion - Group discussions provide an
opportunity for collaborative critical thinking.
Members share perspectives, challenge
assumptions, and collectively arrive at decisions.
Effective group discussions enhance problem-
solving and decision-making processes.
4. Persuasion - Individuals need to assess the
credibility of the source, the quality of evidence,
and the logic of arguments to make informed
decisions about whether to accept or reject a
persuasive message.
5. Propaganda - Understanding critical thinking helps
individuals recognize and resist
propaganda. Critical thinkers question information
sources, assess the motives behind messages, and
discern the manipulation techniques used in
propaganda.
6. Coercion - Critical thinking empowers individuals to
resist coercion by analyzing situations,
recognizing manipulation tactics, and making
autonomous decisions based on ethical principles.
7. Combination of Methods - Effective critical thinking
often involves combining various
methods. For instance, individuals may use debate
skills during group discussions, employ persuasion
tactics ethically, and resist coercion through
informed decision-making.
8. Ethical Decision Making - Critical thinking and ethical
decision-making are interconnected.
Critical thinkers consider the ethical implications of
their choices, evaluate consequences, and make
decisions aligned with moral principles.
LESSON 2: APPLIED AND ACADEMIC DEBATE
TYPES OF DEBATE:
A. APPLIED DEBATE
- may be classified as special debate, judicial debate,
parliamentary debate, or non-formal debate.
- Applied debate involves using the principles of formal
debate to analyze and discuss practical, often
interdisciplinary, issues. Participants apply critical thinking
skills, evidence-based arguments, and effective
communication strategies to navigate and solve real-world
challenges.
Key Elements of Applied Debate:
a. Interdisciplinary Topics: Applied debate often
addresses topics that require insights from various fields,
encouraging participants to draw from diverse knowledge
areas. (more of insights)
b. Practical Problem-Solving: The focus is on developing
solutions and strategies for addressing real-world problems,
translating theoretical knowledge into actionable plans. (for
a cause)

3. APPLIED DEBATE SETTINGS:
Classroom Settings - Applied debate enhances learning by
encouraging students to critically engage with course
material and develop communication skills.
Debating Societies - Student-led debate societies provide
platforms for applying debate skills to current issues.
Business Debates: Applied debate in a professional
context fosters critical thinking and effective communication
skills among employees.
Town Hall Meetings: Applied debate facilitates community
discussions on local issues, involving citizens in decision-
making processes.
Public Forums: Engaging the public in applied debates
fosters community awareness and collaboration.
Virtual Debates: Utilizing online platforms extends the
reach of applied debate, allowing participants to engage in
discussions regardless of geographical constraints.
Social Media Discussions: Applied debate principles can
be applied to constructively contribute to online
conversations.
KINDS OF APPLIED DEBATE:
1) Special Debate - conducted under special rules drafted
for a specific occasion such as political campaign debates.
Examples include the Lincoln-Douglas debates (1858), the
Kennedy-Nixon debates (1960)
2) Judicial Debate - conducted in the courts or before
quasi-judicial bodies. Judicial debates may be observed in
any court.
Examples: The impeachment trial of President Clinton
(1999)
3) Parliamentary Debate - conducted under the rules of
parliamentary procedure. Its purpose is the passage,
amendment, or defeat of motion and resolution that come
before a parliamentary debate.
4) Non-formal Debate - conducted without the formal rules
found in special, judicial, parliamentary and
academic debate. This is the type of debate to which
newspaper and television commentators typically are
referring when they speak of the “abortion,” “the immigration
debate,” and other controversies that arouse public interest.
Example of non-formal debate can be found in national
political campaigns, in community hearings, in town hall
meetings about corporate policy, etc.
B. ACADEMIC or EDUCATIONAL DEBATE - is a
structured and systematic form of argumentation that
thrives within educational institutions.
- involves the formalized discussion of a specific proposition
or resolution, with participants presenting well-researched
and reasoned arguments. It is a disciplined exchange of
ideas that requires in-depth knowledge, critical analysis, and
effective communication.
Key Elements of Academic Debate:
a. Resolution: The central statement or proposition that
forms the basis of the debate, prompting participants to
argue for or against it.
b. Research: Participants are expected to conduct thorough
research to support their arguments with evidence and
relevant sources.
c. Rules and Formats: Academic debates adhere to
established rules and formats, ensuring fairness, structure,
and clarity.
FORMATS OF ACADEMIC DEBATE:
a. Policy Debate - Focuses on policy analysis, often related
to government action or legislation.
b. Parliamentary Debate - Emphasizes spontaneous
argumentation and versatility in responding to diverse
topics. (Wikipedia: Because of the style's origins in British
parliamentary procedure, the two sides are called the
Government and the Opposition. The debate consists of
four teams of two speakers, sometimes called2factions, with
two teams on either side of the case)
c. Lincoln-Douglas Debate: Centers on moral and
philosophical questions, encouraging in-depth analysis and
ethical considerations.
Competitive Nature:
Tournaments - Academic debate often takes place in
competitive settings, where teams or individuals compete to
demonstrate their intellectual prowess.
Judging Criteria - Judges evaluate participants based on
clarity, evidence, logical reasoning, and effective rebuttals.
Global Relevance:
International Debates: Academic debate transcends
borders, providing a platform for global discussions on
issues of significance.
Cross-Cultural Exchanges: Participation in international
debate forums enhances cross-cultural understanding and
collaboration.
Skills Transferability:
Professional Applications: The skills cultivated in
academic debate, such as critical analysis and persuasive
communication, are transferable to various professional
fields.

4. Public Engagement: Debaters often become adept at
communicating complex ideas to a broader audience.
ETHICAL STANDARDS IN DEBATE
Ethical standards in debate are crucial to maintaining the
integrity of the discourse and fostering a respectful and
constructive environment.
1. Intellectual Integrity
Debaters should uphold honesty and intellectual
sincerity, presenting arguments and evidence truthfully
without intentional distortion.
2. Fairness
Debaters should strive to create a level playing field,
avoiding tactics that unfairly disadvantage opponents.
3. Respect for Opponents
Debaters should treat opponents with courtesy and
respect, fostering a culture of constructive dialogue.
4. Citation and Attribution
Debaters should provide accurate citations and attribute
sources properly, avoiding plagiarism.
5. Avoidance of Personal Attacks
Debaters should focus on critiquing ideas rather than
engaging in personal attacks against opponents.
6. Clarity and Transparency
Debaters should communicate clearly and transparently,
ensuring that their arguments are accessible and easily
understood.
7. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
Debaters should disclose any potential conflicts of
interest that may impact their objectivity or impartiality.
8. Judicial Integrity
Judges should approach their role with impartiality,
basing decisions on the merits of arguments rather than
personal biases.
9. Debate Education Ethics
Debate educators should prioritize the educational
growth and well-being of students, fostering an inclusive
and supportive learning environment.
10. Adherence to Debate Rules
Debaters should follow the established rules and
formats of the debate, ensuring a fair and orderly
process