What is Debate? Debating vs. Arguing Formal Debate vs. Informal Debate
What is Debate? Formal debates are structured exchanges of ideas which adhere to pre-determined rules intended to be fair. Different Kinds of Formal Debate: Classroom debates Elections and Parliament Thesis Defense Public debates; e.g. Bill Nye vs. Ken Ham Interviews
Parliamentary Debate Terminology: Resolutions/Motions The subject of a debate. An example might be This House would abolish capital punishment. Models What is This House? That is defined in the model. Models should explain the terms of the debate, who the debaters represent, and how the government team wishes to carry out the resolution. Government (or Proposition) The government team is in favour of the resolution, and their first speaker is expected to clearly present a model. Opposition The opposition team is against the resolution.
You try: Identify the resolution, model, and the side of the following resolution: Ladies and Gentlemen, we as the United States of America stand in favour of decriminalizing music piracy. We want to remove all the punishments for copying, sharing, and downloading music online
Parliamentary Debate You may find yourself disagreeing with the side you're defending, but that's part of the fun! The two sides will alternate in giving speeches for and against the motion.
Speech Structure Basic Version: 1. Begin by signposting. Describe your position, and state your main arguments. 2. Present each argument separately, illustrating them with examples and evidence, and showing how they supports your team. 3. Address the arguments of the opposing side, explaining why they are wrong. 4. Summarize your main points, and why your side is stronger in the round.
Essay Structure What does a case look like? Organizing your papers the same way you would a debate provides a structural core that you can then develop into a paper it helps keep everything organized. Resolution: Def n: 1) Defined Term 2) Defined Term Arguments: 1) tagline - argument 2) tagline - argument 3) tagline - argument Caseline:
Argumentation At its most fundamental level, an argument consists of 4 things: Statement (What you're proving) Explanation (Why it is true) Example (When it worked) Link back (How does this prove your point) Must tell judge/room why something is true Connect the logical links that justify your conclusion Keep asking why, until you can t ask the question
Argumentation Arguments not Examples o Example should be used to back up argument o Example is not an argument on it s own Internally Consistent o Arguments should not contradict each other Relevance o You have a limited amount of time o Focus on the arguments that prove your case
Logical Fallacies; errors that render arguments invalid Slippery Slope - If you don t study you won t get into college, so you won t get a good job, you ll end up flipping burgers for life -If we assume that A is true, then B will follow, and C will follow, leading to D. -If you don t prove that A leads to B, leads to C, etc., then the claim is fallacious Appeal to authority -An argument is true/false because an authority (person, book, website, etc.) says so. Only if the authority is reputable is the claim true - Head researcher at UBC says X ; therefore we should all believe X Straw figure fallacy -The straw figure is a weaker, distorted version of your opponents argument that can be easily refuted. -Refuting the straw figure of an argument isn t actually addressing the original argument, it s misrepresentative
Argumentation Consider Different Kinds of Arguments Social Political Economic Regional Moral (SPERM)
Rebuttal/Refutation What is Rebuttal? o Disproving or undermining the arguments of your opponents. How do you make a rebuttal? o Sum up their argument (avoid misrepresentation). o Indicate why they are wrong and explain. Attack the branches, the trunk, or the roots?
Rebuttal/Refutation Strategies to rebuttal: o Show their argument is inconsistent with their case o Show their argument is irrelevant to their case o Show their argument is insufficiently proved o Show their assumptions to be wrong o Make a more persuasive counter-argument o Last Resort: mitigate the effects - damage control
Your turn! Practice Resolution What arguments can you make in favour of this? Opposed to this?
Your Turn! Critique the Show Debate What arguments were unpersuasive, and why? Consider the strategies for rebuttal.
Presentation Signposting o Say what you're going to say o Remind us where you are in your speech o At the end, summarize what you said o Makes it easy for judge to follow you Crutch Words o Like umm. These words give your mind time to catch up with your speech o Not worst thing, but there are smoother choices: Silence, on that point, furthermore
Presentation Mannerisms o Eye contact o Speak loud and clear o Hand gestures o Avoid monotone Nerves!! Be Creative! o Having a unique style often helps judges remember you and your arguments in the round
Activity Time to Debate
Want to learn more? UBC Debate Society (UBCDS) Tuesday 5pm BUCH D218 Friday 4pm BUCH A203 www.ubcdebate.com