Techniques on Debating

Techniques on Debating

There are several formats of debating. However, Australian debating format is considered

as a friendlier format for the beginner. This is because it does not have intervention between

speeches (or Points of Information, POI). Speaking time is 7 minutes for substantive speeches and

5 minutes for reply speeches.

Affirmative		Negative
1st speaker (7 minutes) 2nd speaker (7 minutes)   3rd speaker (7 minutes) Reply (5 minutes)		1st speaker (7 minutes) 2nd speaker (7 minutes) 3rd speaker (7 minutes)   Reply (5 minutes)

AFFIRMATIVE	NEGATIVE
Prime minister/1st speaker 􀀁Establish a context (background) 􀀁State the motion 􀀁Explain the link from the motion to the definition 􀀁Describe the full definition and its parameters and disclaimers 􀀁Outline what the first speaker and second speaker are going to say 􀀁Elaborate his/her speech 􀀁Sum up his/her speech	Leader of Opposition/1st speaker 􀀁Give an opening statement 􀀁Ask questions regarding the definition, if there is anything unclear, state the assumptions 􀀁State the negotiation 􀀁Outline what the 1st and 2nd speakers are going to say 􀀁Refute the 1st speaker of the affirmative 􀀁Elaborate his/her speech 􀀁Sum up his/her speech
Deputy Prime Minister/2nd speaker 􀀁Clarify the debate, reaffirm the team’s stance 􀀁Refute the 1st speaker of the negative 􀀁Elaborate his/her speech 􀀁Sum up his/her speech	Deputy Leader of Opposition/2nd speaker 􀀁Clarify the debate, reaffirm the team’s stance 􀀁Refute the 2nd speaker of the affirmative 􀀁Elaborate his/her speech 􀀁Sum up his/her speech
Government whip/ 3rd speaker 􀀁Clarify the debate, reaffirm the team’s Stance	Opposition whip/ 3rd speaker 􀀁Clarify the debate, reaffirm the team’s stance
Deliver rebuttals against the negative team 􀀁Strengthen his/her team’s case 􀀁Sum up his/her speech	Deliver rebuttals against the affirmative team 􀀁Strengthen his/her team’s case 􀀁Sum up his/her speech
Reply (1st/ 2nd) 􀀁Deliver a biased summary of the debates: 􀀁What are the major arguments supported or refuted by the teams? 􀀁Compare both team’s arguments 􀀁Conclude	Reply (1st/ 2nd) 􀀁Deliver a biased summary of the debates: What are the major arguments supported or refuted by the teams? 􀀁Compare both team’s arguments 􀀁Conclude

Elements of a case

Motion is a debating topic. It is normally in the form of statements. The affirmative team should

support it and the negative one should oppose it.

How to define the motion? We, as the affirmative teams, have to identify:

a. key words of the motion

b. issues related to the motion

c. the choice of philosophical or proposal debates

d. parameter and disclaimer

If you are the negative, you have to identify:

a. the current issue

b. the possible definition from the affirmative

c. negation of the possible definition

Arguments have to be relevant and logical. Answer the ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions of the debate.

Rebuttals are opposing statements against the opponent’s argument. Rebuttals also have to be

relevant and logical.