Introduction
to Debating
(WSDC Format)
What is it?
• Competition of ideas
• Politeness, respect for opponents, judges, the activity
• Constructive disagreement
• Use argument and logic
• Avoid lying and falsification
The Debate
Chair Timekeeper
Proposition Opposition
Adjudicators
Order of speakers
Proposition
Opposition
1st Speaker
1st Speaker
Proposition
2nd Speaker Opposition
2nd Speaker
Proposition
Opposition
3rd Speaker
3rd Speaker
Proposition Opposition
summary summary
Speech Lengths
• Main speeches are of six minutes in length.
• The first and last minutes are marked by signals from the
timekeeper.
• In between those signals members of the other team may
offer a speaker ‘Points of Information’.
• Summary speeches are four minutes in length with no points
of information.
What is a Point of Information?
• A point of information is a request to briefly interrupt the
speaker currently ‘holding the floor’ with a question,
observation or argument relevant to what is being said at the
time.
• The speaker may choose to accept or decline the point of
information.
• Offering and accepting some points of information shows that
the speaker is engaged with the debate and able to think
quickly about their arguments and those of their opponents.
Speaker Roles
Proposition – 1 Speaker
st
• Introduction (set the context of this debate)
• Define crucial or ambiguous terms (no need of dictionary
definitions)
• Introduce model (simple, clear, short – some debates don’t
require a model)
• Two major arguments, well developed
• Conclusion
Opposition – 1 Speaker
st
• Introduction: flag your main point of difference
• Analyse proposition’s interpretation and give your own
interpretation. You can propose:
- remain with status quo
- propose alternate solution
- deny the existence of the problem
• Refute major points of previous speaker
• Present two major arguments from your own side
Proposition – 2 Speaker
nd
• Introduction
• Refute major arguments by previous speaker
• Rebuild your original arguments (don’t repeat what first
speaker said. Add new analysis - “Why was it right?”)
• Present one new major argument
Opposition – 2 Speaker
nd
• Introduction
• Refute major arguments by previous speaker
• Rebuild your original major argument (don’t repeat what first
speaker said. Add new analysis – “Why was it right?”)
• Present one new major argument
Proposition – 3 Speaker
rd
• Purpose: set the stage for the decision to be made
• Introduction
• Identify three main clash points in debate (what were three
big questions that will determine the outcome)
• Analyse why Proposition won those three clashes
Opposition – 3 Speaker
rd
• Purpose: set the stage for the decision to be made
• Introduction
• Identify three main clash points in debate (what were three
big questions that will determine the outcome)
• Analyse why Opposition won those three clashes
Opposition – Sum up
• Introduction (short)
• Summarize the debate in a way that makes it look like you
win, but seem objective
• Restructure debate around 2 big questions or clashes
• Conclusion (short)
• Speech is 4 minutes
Proposition – Sum up
• Introduction (short)
• Summarize the debate in a way that makes it look like you
win, but seem objective
• Restructure debate around 2 big questions or clashes
• Conclusion (short)
• Speech is 4 minutes
Motions/Topics
The Motion
• In recognition of the Parliamentary origins of debating, the
audience are taken to form ‘the House’, and so all motions
begin “This House…”
• Today’s motion is:
“This House would make smokers pay for their
own medical expenses”
How to read a motion
• Defining a motion is about giving a clear explanation of what
the motion means to ensure that all speakers and judges are
clear on the topic being debated
• If a motion has an obvious meaning, then that should be
pursued
• The debate should not be place or time set, unless specified
in the words of the motion
• What do the important words in the motion mean and are
the specifics obvious?
Types of Motions
• Not all debates are proposing a specific policy or an action
• Some of the motions are statements about the world of
which the truth should be contested
Policy vs. Truth Debates
Policy debate
• When the motion implies that a specific actor should or
should not do a certain policy
• The actor need not necessarily be a government, can be an
individual or an organization
Truth Debates
• When you need not propose a specific course of action, but
instead, merely argue the truth or falsity of the statement
• Arguments on the practical aspects of a motion will
strengthen your case, but the focus should be on the principle
of the motion, by analysing the values associated with the
motion on either side
Case Construction
Preparation
1. Think about what the major issues in the debate will be and
what you have to prove to win
2. Brainstorm as many issues/ideas as possible around the
topic
3. Structure the ideas you come up with into arguments
(some ideas might be grouped together into one
argument).
4. Flesh out the arguments (we’ll come back to this)
5. Allocate the arguments to speakers
6. Work out the team split.
All in 30 minutes… (International tournaments: 1 hour)
Developing an Argument
• Argument, Analysis, Evidence – the way of making arguments.
• Example: “THW use more nuclear power”
Argument: “It is better for the environment”
Analysis: “Nuclear power does not produce CO2, unlike fossil fuels.
CO2 causes global warming, so we so should try to reduce its
production. Therefore, nuclear power is better for the
environment”
Evidence: “Countries like France who rely heavily on nuclear
power are much closer to meeting their commitments to reduce
CO2 emissions under the Kyoto treaty than countries like Germany
who do not use nuclear power”
In a Nutshell
• There is no right or wrong argument
• The focus is on logically explaining a position
