DEBATERS’ WORKSHEET
SESSION 1
Time
90 minutes
Consists of 2 (two) sub sessions:
- Identifying important concepts of debate (20 mins)
- Theories of case building (30 mins)
- Affirmative case building (40 mins)
SUBSESSION I
IDENTIFYING IMPORTANT CONCEPTS OF DEBATE (referring to the exhibition debate)
Time
20 minutes
What was the debate about?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Please fill in the diagram found in Annex 1, which refers to the Exhibition Debate.
SUBSESSION II
THEORIES OF CASEBUILDING
Time
30 minutes
What is a case?
When people talk about a “case” in a debate, they are talking about the whole package of a team’s arguments. Imagine a debate as a physical battle. The definition draws the lines of the battlefield. The case would be the fort that each team builds using arguments as bricks. The rebuttals would be the weapons they use to attack their enemies, or in a debate, the other team.
Definition
A definition is not always a definition of the words in a motion. It is supposed to clarify the motion by defining what the debate will be about. This means that it makes limitations or parameters to the motion to focus the debate.
A team can define the motion by:
a. looking at the key words in the motion.
Find the words that need to be defined. Is there something that may have more than one meaning or interpretation? What limitation is needed?
b. looking at real issues in the real world.
Motions usually talk about issues that are debated in the real world. Ask yourself what is
happening in the world. What motion-related debate is happening in society?
A definition must be reasonable. The Government/Affirmative team must give a definition that gives
room for the Opposition/Negative team to oppose it. On defining, always ask “What debate is expected from
this motion? Are there any reasonable arguments to oppose the definition we’ve set up?”
Arguments
Good arguments are logical and relevant to the point you are trying to make. It should be made up of:
a. Assertion – what you are trying to prove
b. Reasoning – the reason why that assertion is llogical
c. Evidence – examples/data that support the assertion and reasoning
d. Link back – a brief explanation of how you have proven your point and that it is relevant
Looking at the amount of time you have, it is best to have 2 to 4 arguments. These arguments should be brought by the 1st and 2nd speakers. This means that some arguments are explained by the 1st speaker while the rest are explained by the 2nd speaker. How you divide them is called a team split. Each of these arguments should be independent. This means that each of the arguments should be able to answer the definition with a “…because…” sentence. It is good to have a main idea that connects the arguments. This is one way of making sure that
arguments are consistent with each other. This main idea is usually called a team line.
Case Building
Steps of case building (you can change the time if you want):
a. Brainstorming (5 minutes)
First, debaters could write down anything that they think of when they hear the motion.
Brainstorming could get lists of arguments, examples, parameters, facts related to the motion,
etc.
b. Discuss the definition (5 minutes)
When all the ideas have come out, the Affirmative team should decide what the definition
will be. Make sure that all of the parameters that are needed have been included.
c. Pick relevant arguments (10 minutes)
After the team talks about the definition, you should decide what arguments are relevant
with this the definition. Don’t put in an argument just because it sounds good.
d. Determine team line and team split (3 minutes)
After making a definition and choosing arguments, teams should have a main reason
linking these arguments, or a team line, so they don’t contradict each other.
They should also divide the arguments between the 1st and 2nd speakers, which is the
team split.
e. Recap the whole case (2 minutes)
After you have these things decided, a member of the team should sum up the whole case
to make sure that everyone has the same thing in mind.
f. Individual preparation (5 minutes)
Each speaker should spend some time to prepare their individual speech.
SUBSESSION III
AFFIRMATIVE CASE BUILDING
Time
40 minutes
Given 30 minutes, case build for the Affirmative side of the motion:
“That this house supports maternity leave for pregnant students.”
Steps of case building:
1. Brainstorming
2. Definition:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………
3. Arguments (doesn’t have to be four arguments; it could be more or less):
a. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..…
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……
b. …………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………..…
…………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………
c. ..………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………….…………
…………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………
d. ………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………..…………
…………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….…………
4. Team Line:
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….……..………
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….…………..…
Team Split:
1st Speaker (doesn’t have to be three arguments; it depends on how many you have)
a. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..…
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……
b. …………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………..…
…………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………
c. ..………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………….…………
…………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………
2nd Speaker (doesn’t have to be three arguments; it depends on how many you have)
a. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..…
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……
b. …………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………..…
…………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………
c. ..………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………….…………
…………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………
5. Recap the Case
6. Individual Preparation
SESSION 2
Time
2 hours
Consists of 3 (three) sub sessions:
1. Brief Theory on Negative case building (20 mins)
2. Negative Case building (40 mins)
3. Q & A (30 mins)
SUBSESSION I
BRIEF THEORY OF NEGATIVE CASE BUILDING
Time
20 minutes
Basically, case building as a Negative team is the same as case building as the Affirmative. The difference is that the Negative doesn’t need to make a definition. They need to try to predict what definition is likely to come up from the motion.
It is also important to know how to negate a motion:
Always add a “NOT” to the motion.
This seems very simple, but could easily be taken for granted.
Steps of case building for negative (time frame not fixed):
a. Brainstorm individually, the result could be arguments, parameters, examples, etc. (5 min)
b. Discuss possible definitions that might come up from the motion. Determine the team’s stance or how you will negate the motion.(5 min)
c. Pick relevant arguments to oppose the possible definitions. (10 min)
d. Decide on the team line and team split. (3 min)
e. Recap the whole case. (2 min)
f. Prepare individual speeches. (5 min)
SUBSESSION II
NEGATIVE CASE BUILDING
Time
40 minutes
Given 30 minutes, case build for the Affirmative side of the motion:
“That this house supports maternity leave for pregnant students.”
Steps of case building:
1. Brainstorming
2. Possible Definitions:
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….……..………
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….…………..…
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………
Stance:
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….……..………
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….…………..…
3. Arguments (doesn’t have to be four arguments; it could be more or less):
a. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..…
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……
b. …………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………..…
…………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………
c. ..………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………….…………
…………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………
d. ………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………..…………
…………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….…………
4. Team Line:
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….……..………
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….…………..…
Team Split:
1st Speaker (doesn’t have to be three arguments; it depends on how many you have)
a. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..…
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……
b. …………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………..…
…………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………
c. ..………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………….…………
…………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………
2nd Speaker (doesn’t have to be three arguments; it depends on how many you have)
a. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..…
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……
b. …………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………..…
…………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………
c. ..………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………….…………
…………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………
5. Recap the Case
6. Individual Preparation
SUBSESSION III
GENERAL Q & A
Time
30 minutes
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….…………..…
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….……..………
…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….…………..…
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…………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….…………..…
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References
1. Debating Handbook by Michael Birshan
2. The ESU Schools Mace Debating Handbook by Trevor Sather and Richard Chambers
3. The World Schools Debating Championships Charter
4. WSDC Guidelines for Debaters and Adjudicators at www.schooldebate.com
Adjudication Sheet
Round : _____________________________________________
Room : ________________________________________________________________
Chairperson : _________________________
Timekeeper : ______________________________
Motion : ________________________________________________________________________
Adjudicator : __________________________________
Affirmative :
Order
|
Name
|
Matter
(27 - 33)
|
Manner
(27 - 33)
|
Method
(13 - 17)
|
Total
(67 - 83)
|
Time(normal: 7 min.)
|
1st
|
|
|
|
|
|
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2nd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3rd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Reply speech is scored as half of substantive speech)
|
(13,5 - 16,5)
|
(13,5 - 16,5)
|
(6,5 - 8,5)
|
(33,5 - 41,5)
|
(normal: 5 min.)
|
Reply
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Final Score
|
|
|
Negative :
Order
|
Name
|
Matter
(27 - 33)
|
Manner
(27 - 33)
|
Method
(13 - 17)
|
Total
(67 - 83)
|
Time(normal: 7 min.)
|
1st
|
|
|
|
|
|
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2nd
|
|
|
|
|
|
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3rd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Reply speech is scored as half of substantive speech)
|
(13,5 - 16,5)
|
(13,5 - 16,5)
|
(6,5 - 8,5)
|
(33,5 - 41,5)
|
(normal: 5 min.)
|
Reply
|
|
|
|
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Final Score
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|
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Winner : Affirmative / Negative
Margin : _________ (between 1 and 12)
Best Speaker : _______________________________ (__________________________ )
Marking Scale
Substantive speeches (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) are marked as follows: Margin in points have the following meaning:
Matter/Manner
|
Method
|
Meaning
|
|
Margin
|
Meaning
|
27
|
13
|
Very poor
|
|
1 - 4
|
A very close debate with only minor differences separating both teams.
|
28 - 29
|
14
|
Below average – Poor
|
|
30
|
15
|
Average
|
|
5 - 9
|
A relatively clear decision with one team having an obvious advantage.
|
31 - 32
|
16
|
Above average – Very good
|
|
33
|
17
|
Excellent
|
|
10 - 12
|
A very clear win.
|
Reply speeches are scored exactly half of substantive speeches. Margin in points must be between 1 and 12.
Please follow the marking scale (including margins)
CHAIRPERSON GUIDE
Good morning/afternoon members of this house,
Wellcome to the ............ round of West Java Schools Debating Championship, the West Java provincial selection for Indonesian Schools Debating Championship 2006 with the motion :
“ ............................................................................................................................................... “
Acting as affirmative team for this debate is team from .................................. with
Mr/Ms ................................. as the first speaker
Mr/Ms ................................. as the second speaker
Mr/Ms ................................. as the third speaker
And reply speech will be delivered by Mr/Ms ...........................................
Acting as negative team for this debate is team from ........................................ with
Mr/Ms ................................. as the first speaker
Mr/Ms ................................. as the second speaker
Mr/Ms ................................. as the third speaker
And reply speech will be delivered by Mr/Ms ...........................................
Adjudicator(s) for this debate is/are : Mr/Mrs/Ms .....................................
Mr/Mrs/Ms ..................................... and
Mr/Mrs/Ms .....................................
In this debate, for the substantive speech, time keeper will knock once at the 1st minute shows that Point of Interuption (POI) can be delivered. Time keeper will knock once at the 6 th minute shows that time for POI is over. Time keeper will knock twice at the 7 th minute and continuously at 7’20” shows that time for the speaker is over and any further explanation will be penalize.
For the reply speech, time keeper will knock once at the 3 rd minute, at the 4 th minute time keeper will knock twice, and continuously at 4’20” shows that time for the speaker is over and any further explanation will be penalize.
Before we start the debate, I would like to remind all audiences to turn off all electronical gadget that produce sound that may disturb the debate. And also for audiences please do not leave or enter the room during the speeches.
Without any further due, we call upon the 1st speaker of the affirmative team Mr/Ms ..................................
