Grade 6 Guide to Debating
Debate is an excellent way to model the analytical and communicative processes that students are learning whenever they examine course material through oral or written work. This year the in-class debates will challenge Grade 6 students to think critically about course material, and will provide a forum for them to develop the arts of expression.
Debate Basics
· 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
· Argument: an argument explains why that opinion is held
· Proposition Team: agrees with the resolution
· Opposition Team: disagrees with the resolution
· Rebuttal: explains why one team disagrees with the other team
Debate Structure
Number of Teams and Debaters
Each debate has 2 teams. One team is called the proposition. The other team is called the opposition. Each debate team has 3 students. One student is known as the first speaker for the team; one is the second speaker for the team; and the third student is the team’s rebuttal speaker.
Remember you do not necessarily have to believe the side of the motion you are on. You just have to make it appear as though you strongly believe in it.
Speaking Order and Duties
• First Speaker, Proposition Team defines the resolution, introduces the team, and briefly states the arguments of his/her team and their order of delivery. Then he/she states his arguments in detail.
• First Speaker, Opposition Team defines the resolution, introduces the team, and briefly states the arguments of his/her team and their order of delivery. Then he/she states his arguments in detail.
• Second Speaker, Proposition Team states his/her arguments.
• Second Speaker, Opposition states his/her arguments.
• Rebuttal Speaker, Opposition is expected to reply to the arguments of the other side and sum up his/her side's argument.
• Rebuttal Speaker, Proposition Team is expected to reply to the arguments of the other side and sum up his/her side's argument.
The first four speeches are called constructive speeches. In these speeches, each team constructs, or builds, its arguments. The final two speeches of the debate are called rebuttal speeches. These are the final speeches of the debate for each side. They are summary speeches. In these speeches, the debaters try to make the best case for its side of the debate and, at the same time, try to reply to the major points of the other team.
Supporting Argument
First and second speakers of both teams give arguments to support their resolution and their arguments consist of examples and evidence-which comes from research.
Sample Supporting Argument
Resolution: Smoking should be banned in all public places.
Example: Whenever I go to a restaurant or bar and there are people smoking near me, I feel that I am breathing their smoke. This makes me a smoker even though I don't want to be.
Argument: Everyone knows that secondhand smoke is very unhealthy for nonsmokers.
Evidence: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, "secondhand smoke causes approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths in nonsmokers each year."
Rebuttal Speech
Rebuttal speakers take notes during their opponent's speeches to be clear about what they argued and compose counter for the opposing team's arguments.
Sample Counter Argument
· STEP 1: "The other team said that smoking is harmful for nonsmokers."
· STEP 2: "That may be true, but I think that if nonsmokers want to avoid cigarette smoke, they can walk away from it."
· STEP 3: "Because nonsmokers should look out for their own health."
· STEP 4: "Therefore it is not the responsibility of smokers to protect nonsmokers."
Debate Rules
1. Research the topic and prepare logical arguments.
2. Gather supporting evidence and examples for position taken.
3. Anticipate counter arguments and prepare rebuttals.
4. Team members plan order and content of speaking in debate.
5. One person speaks at a time. No side discussions!
6. You may bring some brief notes, but you may not read them.
7. Maintain good eye contact with the audience.
8. Use proper language and be polite in referring to your opposing team.
Debate Topics
August
Debate is an excellent way to model the analytical and communicative processes that students are learning whenever they examine course material through oral or written work. This year the in-class debates will challenge Grade 6 students to think critically about course material, and will provide a forum for them to develop the arts of expression.
Debate Basics
· 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
· Argument: an argument explains why that opinion is held
· Proposition Team: agrees with the resolution
· Opposition Team: disagrees with the resolution
· Rebuttal: explains why one team disagrees with the other team
Debate Structure
Number of Teams and Debaters
Each debate has 2 teams. One team is called the proposition. The other team is called the opposition. Each debate team has 3 students. One student is known as the first speaker for the team; one is the second speaker for the team; and the third student is the team’s rebuttal speaker.
Remember you do not necessarily have to believe the side of the motion you are on. You just have to make it appear as though you strongly believe in it.
Speaking Order and Duties
• First Speaker, Proposition Team defines the resolution, introduces the team, and briefly states the arguments of his/her team and their order of delivery. Then he/she states his arguments in detail.
• First Speaker, Opposition Team defines the resolution, introduces the team, and briefly states the arguments of his/her team and their order of delivery. Then he/she states his arguments in detail.
• Second Speaker, Proposition Team states his/her arguments.
• Second Speaker, Opposition states his/her arguments.
• Rebuttal Speaker, Opposition is expected to reply to the arguments of the other side and sum up his/her side's argument.
• Rebuttal Speaker, Proposition Team is expected to reply to the arguments of the other side and sum up his/her side's argument.
The first four speeches are called constructive speeches. In these speeches, each team constructs, or builds, its arguments. The final two speeches of the debate are called rebuttal speeches. These are the final speeches of the debate for each side. They are summary speeches. In these speeches, the debaters try to make the best case for its side of the debate and, at the same time, try to reply to the major points of the other team.
Supporting Argument
First and second speakers of both teams give arguments to support their resolution and their arguments consist of examples and evidence-which comes from research.
Sample Supporting Argument
Resolution: Smoking should be banned in all public places.
Example: Whenever I go to a restaurant or bar and there are people smoking near me, I feel that I am breathing their smoke. This makes me a smoker even though I don't want to be.
Argument: Everyone knows that secondhand smoke is very unhealthy for nonsmokers.
Evidence: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, "secondhand smoke causes approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths in nonsmokers each year."
Rebuttal Speech
Rebuttal speakers take notes during their opponent's speeches to be clear about what they argued and compose counter for the opposing team's arguments.
Sample Counter Argument
· STEP 1: "The other team said that smoking is harmful for nonsmokers."
· STEP 2: "That may be true, but I think that if nonsmokers want to avoid cigarette smoke, they can walk away from it."
· STEP 3: "Because nonsmokers should look out for their own health."
· STEP 4: "Therefore it is not the responsibility of smokers to protect nonsmokers."
Debate Rules
1. Research the topic and prepare logical arguments.
2. Gather supporting evidence and examples for position taken.
3. Anticipate counter arguments and prepare rebuttals.
4. Team members plan order and content of speaking in debate.
5. One person speaks at a time. No side discussions!
6. You may bring some brief notes, but you may not read them.
7. Maintain good eye contact with the audience.
8. Use proper language and be polite in referring to your opposing team.
Debate Topics
August
- Junk food should be banned in schools.
- Peer pressure is more beneficial than harmful.
- School should be year-round.
- Violent video games should be banned.
- War toys are good for children.
- Cigarettes should be banned.
- All middle schools should require student uniforms.
- Ban plastic bags in grocery stores.
- Celebrities should not be role models.
- Single-sex education is better than co-ed.
- Cell phones should be allowed in schools.
- Children should have freedom to choose their own bedtime.
- Homework should be banned.
- It is better to be a follower than a leader.
- Credit cards do more harm than good.
- Corporal punishment of children should be illegal.
- Should you be allowed to get a tattoo?