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The Art of Debating: "Training For All Our Skills"

The document provides guidance on how to participate in debates to improve public speaking skills. It outlines the benefits of debating, such as developing listening, thinking, and speaking abilities. It also discusses how to prepare for a debate by researching the topic, developing arguments, and assigning roles to speakers. Speakers are advised to structure their speeches clearly and focus on convincing the audience rather than the opposing team. Debates should be judged based on the quality of arguments, delivery, and fulfilling their assigned role.

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197 views

The Art of Debating: "Training For All Our Skills"

The document provides guidance on how to participate in debates to improve public speaking skills. It outlines the benefits of debating, such as developing listening, thinking, and speaking abilities. It also discusses how to prepare for a debate by researching the topic, developing arguments, and assigning roles to speakers. Speakers are advised to structure their speeches clearly and focus on convincing the audience rather than the opposing team. Debates should be judged based on the quality of arguments, delivery, and fulfilling their assigned role.

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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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The Art of Debating

"Training for all our skills"

1. Introduction
By including a debate as a part of the Toastmasters club
programme will stimulate a dynamic and informative
meeting.
As members practice and become skilled debaters, the
club programme can be expanded to include not only
inter-club debates but debates with other community
organisations.

2. Publicity:
In order to provide the club with valuable publicity a topic
can be selected which has a current significance in the
community and will thus appeal to a wider interested
audience who may be invited to attend the debate.
The details of the occasion will need to be advertised
in the local news media, bulletin boards etc and letters
should be sent to local clubs, schools or church
groups.
The results and details of the debate should be
published in the local news paper.

3. The Benefits of Debating


Debating is an art which provides an outstanding
opportunity to develop the three basic abilities of the
Toastmasters "Better Thinking, Listening and
Speaking" motto.
In this regard debaters must listen to the opposing
arguments, learn to think very quickly, and express
ideas in an attractive convincing manner which, in part
at least, forms the basis of an impromptu speech.
Nowhere else can a Toastmaster find a more ideal
method to develop listening, thinking and speaking
skills.

4. What is a Debate
A debate is a friendly, enjoyable and beneficial argument
between two teams - a stimulating battle of wits -
which should entertain the audience.
A speakers matter, manner and method is important
and they will be judged by what they say, how
effectively they say it and how well their speeches are
organised and inter-related.
A good speech is one which has excellent arguments
and examples relevant to the team case and rebutting
the points put forward by the other side.
Each speech must be set out clearly and structured in
an effective way in order to advance their own case
with rebuttal of the other side's case.
Each team has the task of proving that they are right
and the other team wrong.
This is what debating is all about and Toastmasters
will find that by participating in debating, their skills
of thinking, listening and speaking will be enhanced.

5. Preparing the Case


Preparation for a debate should start with consulting a
dictionary in order to analyse the subject.
The teams case should be based on one or two central
themes and material to support these themes should
be used as a foundation upon which all the team's
arguments may be constructed.
In deciding the team's case give particular
consideration to terms such as 'should', 'must', 'too',
'more' etc as these words in the title could affect the
subjects interpretation.
Once the interpretation of the subject has been
decided the team should express the central theme in
a sentence or two which could be repeated during the
debate.
Books, newspapers and magazines found in the local
library are important sources of information and
should provide arguments and examples to support
the teams case.
The team should endeavour to find a logical division
of their case and allot clearly defined tasks to each
speaker in order that the overall theme is presented to
the audience in a meaningful, well organised way.
An important point is to determine the likely
arguments of the other side and consider counter
arguments which will be consistent with own team's
case.
Please note that over-preparation is no substitute for
quick thinking during the debate itself.

6. Debate Examples

1. That the best way to ensure peace is to prepare for


war
2. That the dead rule the world
3. That newspapers abuse their power.
4. That modern advertising is a curse.
5. That freedom is a myth.
6. That man is a slave to habit.
7. That it is better to plant a cabbage than a
rose.
8. That the end justifies the means.
9. That modern literature is decadent.
10. That ignorance is bliss.
11. That sport plays too large a part in
Australian life.
12. That the value of the olympic games is
over-rated.
13. That English spelling should be reformed.
14. That it is better to have a bee in the
bonnet than a chip on the shoulder.
15. That might is right.
16. That the twain shall never meet.
17. That there is no room for the ivory tower
in the modern world.
18. That experience is the best teacher.
19. That the written word is mightier than the
spoken word.
20. That one can have too much of a good
thing.
21. That to spare the rod is to spoil the child.
22. That ambition has been a greater
influence for good than for evil.
23. That there is too much talk.
24. That all the world's a stage.
25. That progress is hindered by tradition.

7. Duties of Speakers

The duties of each speaker is briefly outlined below.


For full details each speaker should consult a debating
book.

First Affirmative

 Defines the subject

 Outlines the Government case

 Developes own points

 Concluding remarks
If the first speaker does his/her job
then there is a case to debate

First Negative

 Accepts/rejects/modifies/proposes
alternative definition

 Outlines the Opposition case

 Begins his side's criticism of the general


line of the affirmative case

 Developes own points as allotted

 Concluding remarks

Second Affirmative

 Rehabilitates the affirmative definition if


necessary

 Attacks main line of negatives case by


introduction of new material

 Development of his sides case as outlined


by leader

 Presents case in detail

 Concluding remarks

Second Negative

 Takes up point at issue

 Re-establishes or consolidates case


 Greater emphasis on criticism and
refutation

 Developes own case

 Summarises case to date, concludes.

Third Affirmative

 Need strong introduction

 Takes up points at issue

 Strongly attacks negative case

 If allotted a point developes it

 Summarises own team's and opposing


case

 Compares and contrasts

 Strong conclusion for team argument

Third Negative

 Apt introduction, with strong attack

 Reinforces team's case

 Sums up argument

 Concludes with complete case as to why


his side's arguments and case is
stronger

 No new matter except to refute


affirmatives case

 Ends with a strong telling statement

8. General
It is emphasised that there need not be a sharp line of
demarcation between criticism and development of
new matter. Criticism, defence and new matter may
be interwoven. Further, it is not essential that the
third affirmative be allotted a point of the teams case.

9. Delivery
Skilled debating demands flexible and quick thinking,
changes in interpretation. Each member must
thoroughly understand the teams case, and carry
conviction in it's delivery. Sound argument is
required. A little humour helps and sincerity,
audibility and poise are essential. In fact, the delivery
needs all the ingredients of a "BE IN EARNEST"
speech.

9. Scoring
A debate is judged on the basis of:
Matter (40%) Is the content of the argument
Manner (40%) is the way it is put across, stance,
quality of voice, gesture, persuasiveness, sincerity,
audibility and conviction.
Method (20%) is the logical organisation of the case,
teamwork, fulfilling the duties incumbent upon the
position in the team

9. The Debate Adjudicator


The battle is between two teams so the adjudicator judges
only what is placed before him/her. There is no need
to be an expert on the subject, but must be unbiased.

It should be noted that as well as giving the decision in a


debate, it is the the duty of the adujicator to aid participants
by way of constructive criticism in those areas where
thoughtful advice may help improve debating skills.

The adjudicator should draw attention, tactfully of course, to


forms of address to audience and members of teams.

It is essential to maintain decorum and uplift the standard of


debating.

9. Handy Hints

1. Remember that individual debate speeches are


just that - Speeches - with an opening, body
and conclusion

2. Don't resort to personal attack - target the


argument, not the presenter

3. Stick to time limit allowed - an adjudicator can


and will , ignore every utterance after the time limit
is up.

4. Don't paint yourself into a corner. Avoid the


danger of sweeping generalisations.

5. Humour helps - but the standard rules apply -


keep it clean and inoffensive!

6. Don't continually look at the opposing team - a


common mistake. You are there to convince the
audience and judges. Convincing your opponents is a
forlorn hope.

10. Suggested References


Australian Debaters Handbook
The Debaters Handbook by David E. Lloyd

Please note: These notes as far as possible conform to the rules


of the Debating Union of NSW as adopted by District 70
(G1,14/10/78)
- Prepared by Ian Schleter

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