III. B.

Introduction to Debate
Argumentation and Debate
Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely, according to conscience, above all liberties
John Milton
3 Folds:
1. To know information and be aware.
2. Express yourself.
3. Exercise freedom with responsibility.
*Is self-expression the most important freedom?
-Qualified Yes -> The value to be respected, argue for life, socialize with each other.
*Is everything emanates from self-expression?
-Qualified Yes ->Quality of Rights is shaped by self-expression.
ARGUMENTATION vs. DEBATE
Definition/Differentiation
1. Argumentation- reason giving in communication situation by people whose purpose in the
justification of acts, beliefs, attitudes, and values (advocacy)-> anytime, anything
Debate- the process of inquiry and advocacy; the seeking of reasoned judgment on a
proposition (motion/topic/resolution)
- Issues of the society
- Advocacy: justification
- Inquiry: research; opposing team that inquires about advocacy. (Freely, 1986)
2. Argumentation- you can engage with yourself
Debate- more rule-guided (2 people)
-Argumentation with rules (oral setting: forum, 2 sides), physical limitations. Bound by
time and place.
-APPLICATION of argumentation debate is argument where advocates present opposing
positions on a specific proposition.
3. Structure
* Argumentation: Informal (can be intrapersonal)
Debate
: set of rule (inner, small group, republic, mass comm)
*Argumentation: one or more sides
Debate
: two sides
*Argumentation: medium/ media (both written & oral)
Debate
: oral
Final Activity (Parliamentary Debate)
Topic: called as motion
Argumentation is the process of giving reasons in support of a motion.
Its main purpose is to persuade the panel of judges or adjudicators (adges) and to
engage/entertain the greater audience.
Outside Competitive Debating

Even when our audience is unknown, we argue to persuade the unconvinced, to acquaint them
with good reasons for changing their minds -> Personal to professional
Argumentation is the art of influencing others, through the medium of reasoned discourse, to
believe or act as we wish them to believe or act (ONeill, 1925).

Why Study Argumentation?

1. Its the most important skill in debate
Argue: defend
Rebut: attack
Ex. Let me justify, let me demonstrate, let me illustrate, let me negate, I question the opposite
sides
Advice: Dont settle with the conclusion, dont always concede to some things that are subject
to interpretations.
2. There will always be room for argument.
3. Most essential method to arrive at consensus. ->How to solve dispute? Discuss & Negotiation
4. Offers moral benefit to the society.
Moral: abstract but it can be attached to concrete effects but also touches psychological
aspect.
Ex. Debate serves benefit -> critical thinking
5. Helps you sorts out bewildering voices around you. ->Isolate the voices that matter and the
voices that do not.
6. Pragmatic value -> basic things (classmates admire you because you are good in debate).

Argumentation and Field of Study

Business and Commerce -> Does outsourcing help the Phil. Economy?
Liberal Arts -> Why has the Philippine comic industrys quest for cultural legitimacy far from
successful.
Social Science -> What is the extent of global warming to the people?
Education ->K-12
Argumentation and debate abound everywhere you are
- Arg. and Workplace
- Arg. in a free society
A lot of us are painfully aware of opportunities that we allow to suppress our point
because we cannot articulate our convictions, even in matters that affect us deeply

Asian Parliamentary Debate

Participants
2 teams: Government and Opposition
3 speakers per team
(1) Adjudicator or panel, odd numbers only
Motions (3 set with themes)
A set of motions will be announced
Both Gov. and Opp. will rank the motions from most to least preferred (via verb)
Debate Proper
Adjudication
-Prime Minister -> sets the motion
-Deputy Prime Minister
POI -> from the opposing team