Home > Subjects > English > English level 1 > 1.6 Speech oral presentation > Subject content > Debates
- Subject: English
- AS: 90857
- Level: 1
- Credits: 3
- Internal
1.6 Construct and deliver an oral text
Debates
Debating is a competition between two opposing teams arguing either for or against a topic. Like any competition, debating has rules which you must follow. See What is Debating? for an overall picture of what is involved.
People involved in a debate:
- two teams affirmative (agrees with moot) and negative (disagrees with moot). For information on speaking order and points to cover see Speakers' roles.
- chairperson who introduces each speaker and see the rules of the debate are followed
- adjudicator(s) who judge the performance of each speaker and decide which team is the best
- timekeeper.
Debating is a formal process which follows a set structure. Here are some of the important things that make up the structure of your speech:
- The moot – is the topic your team will debate. Using dictionaries you must define the moot and construct an argument or team case. See the following sites for more detail:
- Preparing an argument – speakers have to write their speech remembering they are trying to advance their team case. Researching facts and figures to prove your case is important. You can use the same writing and delivery techniques as used in a speech.
- Cases
- Rebuttal – is the comments and counter arguments your team comes up with in response to what the other team has just said. See the following sites for more information:
- Debatabase, for a list of pros-cons for hundreds of topics
- Advanced Debating Notes
When delivering a debate speech it is important to remember that you have to use appropriate language and delivery techniques throughout. For some good debating tips see:
