The document defines a debate as a contest where two teams present arguments to persuade one another on a given resolution, and notes classroom debates help develop skills like analytical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork. Key aspects of debates are outlined, including the roles of the affirmative and negative teams, the rebuttal process, preparation strategies, and evaluation criteria used by judges.

1. WHAT IS A DEBATE?
“Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut
through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution
everybody can understand.” – Colin Powell
A debate is a contest where two teams
present their arguments intent on persuading
one another.

2. DEBATES IN THE CLASSROOM
Classroom debates develop such skills as:
 abstract thinking
 analytical thinking
 citizenship/ethics/etiquette
 clarity
 cross-examination/questioning
 point of view
 distinguishing fact from opinion
 identifying bias
 language usage
 organization
 persuasion
 public speaking
 research
 teamwork/cooperation

3. BASIC TERMS
Debate - a game in which two opposing teams
make speeches to support their arguments
and disagree with those of the other team.
Resolution - the opinion about which two teams
argue.
Affirmative team - agrees with the resolution.
Negative team - disagrees with the resolution.
Rebuttal - explains why one team disagrees
with the other team.
Judges - decide the winner.

4. PROCEDURE
1. Affirmative team: argument 1
2. Negative team's rebuttal
3. Affirmative team's response to rebuttal and open discussion
4. Negative team: argument 1
5. Affirmative team's rebuttal
6. Negative team's response to rebuttal and open discussion
7. Affirmative team: argument 2
8. Negative team's rebuttal
9. Affirmative team's response to rebuttal and open discussion
10. Negative team: argument 2
11. Affirmative team's rebuttal
12. Negative team's response to rebuttal and open discussion
13. Affirmative team's closing comments
14. Negative team's closing comments

5. GETTING READY
“Use soft words and hard arguments.” – English proverb
 Having an opinion isn't enough to be effective in a debate. You need
to be able to have strong supporting materials for your side of the
debate.

Make sure you include relevant facts that many others would not
have already known. The more related relevant facts you include the
stronger your presentation becomes.
 Learn how to effectively communicate your positions. You may
have a great position on a certain subject, but if you can't effectively
communicate that to an audience it won't matter in a debate.
 Train yourself to fully respect the other debater. Even if you are
completely convinced you are right, you must give the other person
time to speak their mind as well.
 Prepare to have a rebuttal to the arguments that the other person
will make. Many times you can know what they will say ahead of time
and prepare yourself with facts that contradict their argument.

6. USEFUL LANGUAGE
How to Agree How to Disagree
 You know, that’s exactly what I think.  That’s not the way I see it.
 I agree entirely.  There may be something in what you say but…
 True enough.  I’ve got some reasons to disagree.
 Oh, definitely.  I’m not at all convinced…
 That’s a good point.  To be honest, I don’t think that’s true.
 I couldn’t agree more.  I know what you are saying, but…
 Yes, that’s quite true, but …  That may be true, but …
 That’s just what I was thinking  I can’t agree with you there, I still think …
 That’s one way of looking at it. But …
 I can’t say that I share your view.
 I see things rather differently.
How to Ask for More Information How to Persuade Someone
 Can you explain that?  You must admit that …
 What do you mean exactly?  Do you really believe that …
 Could you give me an example?  Don’t you agree that …
 Could you be more specific?  What you don’t seem to understand is that …
 Would you mind saying a little bit more about  (Oh,) come on, …
that?  I’II tell you what …
 Do you really think that …  I was wondering if you’d ever thought of…
 Could you explain what you mean by …  Don’t you think…

7. EVALUATION CRITERIA
 Respect for other team
 Information
 Rebuttal
 Use of facts/statistics
 Organization
 Understanding of topic
 Presentation style
 Language

8. RESOURCES
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson304.shtml
http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Krieger-Debate.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_4490531_prepare-debate.html
http://www.triviumpursuit.com/speech_debate/what_is_debate.htm
http://course1.winona.edu/shatfield/air/classdebate.pdf