ALWAYS

ALWAYS REMEMBER
REMEMBER

Speakers are not

born, they are
made.
Speech &
Speech & Interpersonal
Interpersonal
Communication Enhancement
Communication Enhancement Unit,
Unit,
BENEFITS
BENEFITS OF
DEBATING
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.

Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

GOOD
GOOD DEBATERS
DEBATERS POSSESS
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.

Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

DIFFERENT
DIFFERENT FORMATS
FORMATS OF
OF
DEBATES
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

Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

DIFFERENT
DIFFERENT FORMATS
FORMATS OF
OF
DEBATES
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 Closing Gov. Opening Gov.
Set up in a

Speaker/
Chairperson
Audience

British
Parliamentary
Format of
Debate Closing Opp. Opening Opp.
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
A
A DEBATE
DEBATE IS
IS JUDGED
JUDGED ON
ON
THE
THE BASIS
BASIS OF:
OF:
1. Matter:
What you present (i.e. the
content)
2. Manner:
How you present (i.e. the style)
3. Method:
Organisation/ 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
DEFINING A
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
RULES OF
DEFINITION
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
CHALLENGE OF OF
DEFINITION
Grounds forDEFINITION
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
CHALLENGE OF OF
• Challenge mustDEFINITION
DEFINITION
come from the leader of the opposition, not
later.
• Leader of the opposition must provide an alternative
definition.
• 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
GETTING THE THE RIGHT RIGHT
•
ARGUMENTS
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
ESTABLISHING AN
AN
ARGUMENT
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 R e b u t t a ls

A tta c k s D e fe n c e
(R e b u t th e A rg u m e n ts ) ( R e b u t t h e R e b u t t a ls )
• 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
ELEMENTS OF OF
MANNER/STYLE
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
ELEMENTS OF
OF METHOD
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
MODEL INDIVIDUAL
INDIVIDUAL
SPEECH
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’
TEAMS’ ROLES:
ROLES: ASIAN/
ASIAN/
AUSTRALS
PROPOSITION/ AUSTRALS
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
motion, opposition to the motion,
– Providing substantive
Providing substantive
materials and arguments material and arguments in
in support of the case, support of the (opposition)
– Responding to any case,
challenges made to that Responding to the arguments
case by the Opposition. delivered by the
Government.

Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM

 TEAM
TEAM ROLES:
ROLES: BRITISH
BRITISH
PARLIAMENTARY
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'
SPEAKERS' ROLES:
ROLES: ASIAN/
ASIAN/ AUSTRALS
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'
SPEAKERS' ROLES:
ROLES: ASIAN/
ASIAN/ AUSTRALS
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
POINTS OF
OF INFORMATION
INFORMATION
(POIs)
(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