DEBATE FORMAT & LANGUAGE WRITING IV
I. Debate Format
AT = Affirmative Team; NT = Negative team
1a. AT argument 1 1b. NT rebuttal 1c. AT response to rebuttal 1d. Open discussion 2a. NT argument 1 2b. AT rebuttal 2c. NT response to rebuttal 2d. Open discussion 5. Closing arguments from AT and NT
3a. AT argument 2
3b. NT rebuttal
3c. AT response to rebuttal
3d. Open discussion
4a. NT argument 1
4b. AT rebuttal
4c. NT response to rebuttal
4d. Open discussion
II. How to Develop Strong Reasons
Strong reasons have three defining qualities:
-logically support the opinion (i.e. more than just “it’s good/bad,” “we like it”)
-are specific and clearly state the idea
-are convincing to the majority of people
Part 1: With your partner, think of at least one strong reason for each opinion (affirmative and negative)
1. Women should quit their job after they get married.
AFFIRMATIVE REASON:
NEGATIVE REASON:
2. Love is more important than money.
AFFIRMATIVE REASON:
NEGATIVE REASON:
3. It is better to be married than single.
AFFIRMATIVE REASON:
NEGATIVE REASON:
4. Writing by hand is better than writing by computer.
AFFIRMATIVE REASON:
NEGATIVE REASON:
Part 2: Now compare your reasons with another pair and decide whose reasons are stronger and why. Write the results below.
DEBATE LANGUAGE Ways to open a debate
▪ To set the framework for our opinion, we believe it is necessary to state…
▪ We would like to introduce our stand by giving the following definitions. …
▪ In order to effectively debate this topic, we would like to propose….
▪ A number of key issues arise which merit (deserve) closer examination.
▪ We will elabortate one of the most striking features of this problem,
namely…
▪ In the first place we would like to make clear that….
▪ The main argument focuses on….
How to convince in a debate
▪ The other team has tried to make some good points, however, they forgot
to think about some very important issues, namely….
▪ We hear what the opposition are saying but we do not agree. We will prove
to you…
▪ That’s one way to think about it, however,….
▪ Not to play the Devil’s Advocate, but we will prove to you exactly the
opposite.
▪ Their opinion may seem plausible at first glance, however, we would like to
remind you of recent developments in this area. According to ….
▪ At first sight, their argument seems to be true. But….
▪ They unfortunately failed to reveal the truth of the matter,….
▪ It is easy enough to make broad generalisation about...like the other team
just did, but in reality it is a very complex issue.
▪ It is generally excepted these days that….
▪ It is only a matter of time until it will become evident that the other team’s
stand must fall due to the following reasons….
▪ One must take into account that….
Possible conclusions
▪ To conclude, we must emphasise our opinion of…., therefore the other
team’s point of view can no longer be supported.
▪ To sum up, our motion must stand, simply because during the debate we
have shown….
▪ This debate has made obvious that their opinion cannot stand since…..
▪ The simple truth is…
▪ The proposed arguments lead us to the irrefutable conclusion that…
▪ To draw a line under this debate, …
▪ After careful consideration, we must conclude that….
Politely disagreeing
▪ As much as I want to agree with you, I don't think that...
▪ Your argument would be more persuasive if you had considered...
▪ The point you have made is interesting but negated by the fact that...
▪ While your statement is compelling, I believe you have not expressed the
main point of the problem.
▪ I understand your viewpoint, but it fails to consider...
