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The Art of Debating
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What is a Debate?
A formal, verbal presentation of opposing sides ofan issue by teams or individuals before anaudience or judge
Follows a clearly defined formatWho speaks first and last
How long each team/individual speaks
Used to strengthen and extend studentsunderstanding of an issue and to help studentsdevelop and demonstrate cognitive thinking,research, and public speaking skills
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Debating as an Activity
In a debate, speakers must speakspontaneously, even though they have preparedtheir arguments ahead of time
It is essential that the debaters listen carefullyto each speaker and then quickly plan how they
will present their own arguments in the moststrategic manner
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Debating as an Activity
In many classrooms, a debate occurs on aone-shot basis
The debate is presented as an activity The students participate in one debate and then they
move on to other activities in the subject area
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Debating as an Activity
Students will develop their speaking and listeningskills by participating in several debates ordebating activities
The speaking and listening skills essential todebating develop over time
The students must practice debating, as well as reflect on
their own and their peers presentations
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A Good Proposition for Debate
The proposition is the arguable statement
The negative team argues against the proposition
The positive team argues for the proposition
Can be argued on both sides
Contains an idea
Is relevant and significant
Is controversial
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Two Types of Debate Propositions
Based on Action or Policy Something should happen
Based on Values That one position or belief is deemed better than another
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Proving the Argument
The key in debating is the proof of arguments
Proof can be in the form of either logical reasoning or evidence
Logical proof is based on common sense and
common knowledge Value debates usually use this type of proof, which is more
subjective
Debaters use logic and common sense to build a convincingcase
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Proving the Argument
Evidence includes facts and statistics from reliablesources
Action or policy debates usually use this type of proof,although they may use both types
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Time Keepers & Judges
During a formal debate, participants must followestablished procedures and rules
In this case, a time keeper is necessary to keep track
of each persons speaking time and the time given toteam to prepare arguments and rebuttals during thedebate
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Debate Procedures
There are several different academic debate proceduresthat the teacher and students might explore
Standard debate teams usually have 2 people on eachside, although teacher can adapt this formal to include
more students The standard format uses 2 types of speeches:
constructive speeches & rebuttal speeches
Constructive speeches are those that present the sides
argument Rebuttal speeches are those that the side develops during
preparation time to try to counteract the arguments ofthe opposing side
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Arguing the Affirmative
Because the affirmative side is the one proposing a change andcalling for action, the onus is on the affirmative to prove itsposition should be adopted.
The affirmative side needs to put together its arguments in order
to convince that change is necessary and will make things betterthan they are now. This involves:
Pointing out problems with the current situation (the "status quo")
Convincing that the problems are significant
Pointing out benefits of the proposed change
Finding reliable experts to back up the claims
Predicting what the opposing arguments will be and developingcounter arguments
Planning for a logical flow in the presentation of arguments.
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Arguing the Negative
The negative side's task is simply to defeat theaffirmative's position. This involves:
Developing arguments in defense of the present systemor status quo
Convincing that any problems referred to by theaffirmative are insignificant
Developing reasons for opposing the affirmative's
proposition
Finding reliable experts to back up the opposition
Questioning the affirmative's proof.
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Considerations for the Classroom
Should not be used until the classroom comfortlevel has been established
Require a clear understanding of the value of
positive versus negative argumentation
Require an awareness of sensitive, shy, or reticentstudents
Are usually moderated by the teacher (or a capablestudent leader for upper grades and/or matureclasses).
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Debate Scenario
A new state of the art video game,Mafia Hit-Man 2005,is about to hit the market. This game asks the user totake on the role of a professional hit man. The user will
take on contracts of various difficulty and perform theassigned tasks for money and reputation points. Thesecontracts involve the simple task of eliminating a mob-snitch, the moderate tasks of wiping out a cops familythe difficult task of the assassination of the president or
other high ranking government officials. This game usesthe new Gore-Extreme game engine. It incorporatesrealistic blood spattering and rag-doll physics.
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Debate Scenario
Word of this game has reached the media andseveral groups are expressing outrage that the
game has only received a Teen rating. Parentalgroups are angered over the explicit violence anddisrespect for the law portrayed in the game.Politicians, eager for reelection, are joining
parental groups in voicing their concerns.
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Debate Scenario
Many are promising stricter laws and regulationson video game companies. Some go as far as to
suggest that children, playing these violent gamesdevelop anti-social behavior and even model theiractions on the actions seen in these games.
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Debate Scenario
Game companies and retailers disagree with these
points and view their products as just games.
Many view themselves as scapegoats for deepersocietal problems. Game companies suggest that ifparents took a stronger interest in their childrenshobbies and habits there would be no need for
regulation within the video game community.
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Todays Debate Activity
Work with your group to expand upon yourposition and point of view. Keep in mind that youmust stick to the point of view of the stakeholder
group you have been assigned.
We will regroup in 10-12 minutes for the debate.
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Roles
Moderator (normally a student, can be the teacher)
Panel of judges
Time keeper
Diverse groups: Parents (#1)
Government (#2)
Kids (#3)
Game companies (#4)
Retailers (#5)
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Debate Scenario
http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2005/131/919985_20050512b_screen005.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/unions/read_article.php?topic_id=21196317&union_id=198&h=748&w=1024&sz=94&hl=en&start=51&tbnid=RtbKtrwpHcssgM:&tbnh=110&tbnw=150&prev=http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fileshack.com/images/finclude/images/bloodmoney_0510.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.fileshack.com/file.x?fid=8863&h=310&w=400&sz=34&hl=en&start=34&tbnid=w8WCtinSdJ8dPM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=124&prev=http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Jun-11-Fri-2004/photos/hitman.jpg&imgrefurl=http://klopzi.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html&h=371&w=400&sz=13&hl=en&start=19&tbnid=LIMpARfzUf9CjM:&tbnh=115&tbnw=124&prev=http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.lirent.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/game8.JPG&imgrefurl=http://lirent.net/video-games/top-ten-upcoming-movies-based-on-video-games.html&h=300&w=400&sz=127&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=KTzuUIKyZgYi2M:&tbnh=93&tbnw=124&prev=http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000FBMITA.01._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_V64254686_.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.360mania.com/games/hitman_bloodmoney.asp&h=280&w=280&sz=15&hl=en&start=15&tbnid=loFKcEYmBEOflM:&tbnh=114&tbnw=114&prev=http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2005/145/919983_20050526_screen004.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/unions/read_article.php?topic_id=21196317&union_id=198&h=707&w=1024&sz=249&hl=en&start=18&tbnid=zBzXtvyHAT7nEM:&tbnh=104&tbnw=150&prev=7/31/2019 Art of Debating 09
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Through Debate, the Students can
Develop positive attitudes toward the intellectual exchange
of ideas
Develop an interest in the investigation of issues and
problemsBecome more adept at developing and putting forward ideas
Learn to think quickly
Learn to work as a teamDevelop leadership skills
Develop speaking and listening skills.
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20 minute pres
10-15 discussion
50 min debate
1 min opening statement (5) 2 min rebuttals (10)
2 min regroup
Questions/comments (20 min)
Closing statements (10)