DEBATE

It is a contest, or, perhaps,

like a game, where two or
more speakers present their
arguments intent on
persuading one another.
ALWAYS REMEMBER

Speakers are not

born, they are
made.
BENEFITS OF DEBATING
• Cultivates quick and multi-
dimensional, logical thinking.
• Enhances the ability to develop
reasoned opinions.
• Gives a better understanding of the
current events and the world around
us.
• Improves self-confidence, speaking
style and command of language.
• Enriches your overall leadership
qualities.
GOOD DEBATERS
POSSESS
• Good knowledge of current issues.
• Ability to generate ideas.
• Ability to think critically and logically.
• Ability to present the ideas
systematically.
• Ability to handle culturally diverse and
challenging situations with great ease
and to one’s/ their (own) enjoyment.
DIFFERENT FORMATS OF
DEBATES
• Parliamentary & Non-parliamentary
– Parliamentary debates allow Points of Information
(POI) while Non-Parliamentary debates do not.
• Malaysian Conventional
– 3 members to a team
– Topics given in advance
– POIs not allowed
• American Parliamentary
– 2 members to a team
– POIs are allowed
DIFFERENT FORMATS OF
DEBATES
• Royal Malaysian/ Asian
– 3 members to a team
– POIS are allowed.
• British Parliamentary (World Debates)
– 2 member to team and 4 teams in a debate
– POIs are allowed

Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

A DEBATE IS JUDGED ON
THE BASIS OF:
1. Matter:
What you present (i.e. the
content)
2. Manner:
How you present (i.e. the style)
3. Method:
Organization/ structure of your
presentation

Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

ELEMENTS OF MATTER
1. Definitions: 4. Rebuttals:
- Set up of the debate - Must be logical
2. Arguments: - Must be relevant
- Must be logical - Must be prompt
- Must be relevant
3. Evidences:
- Must be relevant
- Evidential value (strength)

Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

 DEFINING A TOPIC
• Explain the key-words in the
topic.
• Identify what you want to
prove and what is your stand.
This is called the theme of your
team.
• If there is a measurement
involved, set up the yardstick
or criteria for such
measurement.
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
RULES OF DEFINITION
Characteristics of a Proper Definition:
• It must bear a close relation to the motion.
• It must not be truistic.
• It must not employ time or place setting.
• It must not be based on overly specific knowledge

Kinds of Definitions:
• Literal with key-words definition.
• Metaphorical definition.
• Issue based &/or specified definition (different
from time-place setting).

Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

 CHALLENGE OF DEFINITION
Grounds for Challenge:
• You can only challenge a definition if it
violates any of the criteria stated earlier.
Frequently used terms in challenging
definitions are: wholly unreasonable,
squirrel, time-place set, truistic.
• You cannot challenge a definition simply
because you have a more reasonable or
better definition.
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
• Challenge must come from the leader of the opposition, not
later.
DEFINITION
• Leader of the opposition must provide an alternative
definition.
CHALLENGE OF
• In most of the cases, the teams must introduce an 'even if’
argument.
• An `Even if' argument is not possible in some cases. (e.g.
truistic definition & definition running counter to the
resolution i.e. where govt. has taken the opposition’s case).
• In a definition debate, all the speakers except the PM argue
the following:
• Why challenge?
• Validity/ invalidity of the two definitions.
• Even if we are to accept the other side's definition, these are the
weaknesses of their case.
• Positive case under their own definition.

Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

 GETTING THE RIGHT ARGUMENTS
• First, identify what you have to prove under the topic.
• Then, identify what helps you to prove it. Put them in
the format of an argument or a set of arguments.
• Not everything that you know on the subject is
relevant.
• Anticipate the questions that may be raised against
your arguments and see if you have good answers to
them.
• Block the opportunity for those questions to be raised
by addressing them briefly as you explain the
argument.
• Present the arguments in order of their strength.
• Avoid empty rhetoric and emotionalism - be rational.

Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

 ESTABLISHING AN ARGUMENT
Basic statement

Logical explanations of why and how

the basic statement stands

Proofs/ evidences/ examples that factually

establish your basic statement

Conclusion/ how it proves

your team’s theme

Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

 EFFECTIVE REBUTTALS
Rebuttals

Attacks Defence
(Rebut the Arguments) (Rebut the Rebuttals)

• Do not rebut the example, attack the very premise of

the argument of the other side. Only then contrary
examples can be supplemented.
• It is advisable to provide multiple rebuttals to each
argument of the other side.
• Rebuttals should also be in conformity with your
case.
• Rebut the rebuttals of your case by the other side in
order to defend your case.
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
ELEMENTS OF MANNER/STYLE
• Respectable attitude towards the judges
and the other team.
• Vocal style: volume, clarity, pace,
intonation etc.
• Use of notes: not to read a written text.
• Eye contact.
• Body language: hand gestures, pacing,
standing etc.
• Impression of sincerity.
• Humour, wit, appropriate and healthy
sarcasm.
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
 ELEMENTS OF METHOD
- Team structure
- Continuity of team’s theme in all the speeches.
- Consistency among all the speakers (no contradictions)
- Reinforcement of team members' arguments
- Clear & logical separation between arguments.
- Individual Structure
- Attractive opening/ outline of the speech.
- Proper organisation & priority of the arguments.
- Organisation of rebuttals.
- Appropriate timing of the speech
- Summary of the speech.
- Responses to the dynamics of the debate
- Right thing at the right time.
- Ability to follow the progression of and changes in the
debate, and to re-act accordingly.
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
 MODEL INDIVIDUAL
SPEECH
Definitions/ theme of the team

Rebuttals (attacks and defence)

Reiteration and defence of your own team’s case

Presentation of your own arguments

Conclusion (why your team’s case

stands and other team’s case does not)

Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

TEAMS’ ROLES: ASIAN/ AUSTRALS
PROPOSITION/ OPPOSITION:
GOVERNMENT:
To negate the motion which
To support the motion
which involves:
involves:
Responding to the
– Defining the motion, Government's definition,
– Constructing a positive Constructing a case in
case in favour of the opposition to the motion,
motion, Providing substantive
– Providing substantive material and arguments in
materials and support of the (opposition)
arguments in support case,
of the case, Responding to the arguments
– Responding to any delivered by the
challenges made to Government.
that case by the
Opposition.
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
 TEAM ROLES: BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY
OPENING GOV. OPENING OPP.
- Defines - Responds to the
government’s case
- Builds a positive case to
support the motion - Builds a case to oppose the
motion
- Responds to the Opp.’s case.

CLOSING GOV. CLOSING OPP.

- Supports the Opening Gov.’s - Supports the Opening Opp.’s
case, case
- Adds new dimensions, - Adds new dimension,
arguments to further arguments in Opp.’s case
substantiate the
government’s case. - Responds to government’s
case
- Responds to the Opp.’s case
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
SPEAKERS' ROLES: ASIAN/ AUSTRALS
• 1st Speaker /Prime Minister PROPOSITION/
– Defines the topic. GOVERNMENT:
– Gives the case structure and theme.
– Presents own arguments.
– Provides a summary of his speech. (What I've given u so far..).
• 2nd Speaker
– Rebuts.
– Reiterates and defends his first speaker’s arguments.
– Presents own argument.
– Provides a summary of his speech.
• 3rd Speaker
– Rebuts substantially.
– Reiterates and defends his own team's case.
– Provides a summary of his speech.
• Reply Speaker
– Presents a comparative overview of the clash points in the debate
proving why his team’s case stands
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
 SPEAKERS' ROLES: ASIAN/ AUSTRALS
OPPOSITION:
• 1st Speaker /Opposition Leader
– Responds to the definition (i.e. Accepts, Rejects or
Clarifies).
– Rebuts the Prime Minister’s arguments.
– Gives the case structure and theme of his team.
– Presents own arguments.
– Provides a summary of his speech.
• 2nd Speaker
– Same as the proposition 2nd speaker
• 3rd Speaker
– Same as the proposition 3rd speaker
• Reply Speaker
– Same as the proposition reply speaker
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
POINTS OF INFORMATION (POIs)
• A POI can be in a question or statement form and
should not take more than 15 seconds.
• Each speaker should accept at least two POIs.
• All three members of the team should try to give POIs,
but they must not be disruptive.
• POIs are judged on the basis of:
- the threat they pose to the strength of the argument of
the debater.
- value of its wit and humour.
• Responses to the POIs are judged on the basis of:
– promptness and confidence in answering.
– strength of the response.
– value of wit and humour in the response.
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM