Intro To University Debating

www.monashdebaters.com | [email protected]

Introduction to 3-on-3 Debating

Viv Jones


Outline

1. Why debate?2. What is debate?3. Matter/Manner/Method4. How to prepare a case

• Speaker roles• Team Case• Definitions• Models

5. Hot tips


Why Debate?

Improve yourselfMake friends at uni

Travel the world funded by Monash!


TournamentsSEMESTER 1 (3-on-3)• Freshers (MAD)

– For virgin IV debaters• Easters (Melbourne UNI)

– The National novice comp• President’s Cup (Melbourne)

– Debate with fun people• Sorensen (MAD)

– Major 3-on-3 comp, novice rule

• ADAM (Melbourne)– Pre-Australs and great

practice• AUSTRALS @ Auckland

– MAD’s favourite IV

SEMESTER 2 (British Parliamentary)

• Pro-Am Comp• Open BP Comp• Freehills• Women’s (Sydney)• ANU Mini (Canberra)• Sydney Mini (Sydney)• Vic Mini (New Zealand)• Melbourne Mini (Melbourne)• WUPID (Malaysia)• WORLDS (Botswana)


Why do we do it?

“Dutch troops pull out of Afghanistan”

“US to sell Uranium to India”

“Gay marriage bill vetoed”

“Cap on CEO pay strives to end era of excess”

“GLOBAL WARMING IS OVERRATED”


What is Debate?


Debate is structured argument


Debate - an overview

• Assigned topic and side• Understand context• Identify problem• Propose solution• Convince everyone whyit’s right!


3-on-3 Debate: the

format

1st Aff

3rd Neg

2nd Neg

1st Neg

3rd Aff

2nd Aff

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE30 minute

prep

6-8 minutespeeches


MATTER, MANNER and METHOD

The elements that contribute to

persuasiveness in debates


What you say“Arguments”

How to make it good:• Analysis = first principles, examples, statistics etc

MATTER


Elements of an argument

1. IDEA2. ANALYSIS

• Step through your analysis - keep asking “why?”

3. EVIDENCE• LINK

– How does it help you prove your team’s case?


Example of an argument

Giving arms to Afghani Tribal Militias will undermine Al Qaeda's power in the hills

o Pashtun tribes have self-interest at heart (concerned with protection) -> will follow whoever presents the most benefit. By providing weapons, we become the ally of choice.

1. E.g. Under Soviet Union, Mujahaddin fighters were happy to engage with the most powerful ally

o Without weapons to defend themselves they are blackmailed by Al Qaeda

1. E.g. Al Qaeda has taken sons of tribal leaders hostage2. E.g. One tribe that resisted Al Qaeda initially was made an

example of - Suicide bombers exploded in a family wedding killing dozens

o By providing weapons, Militias will be both able to defend themselves and will be motivated to align with west


Keep it logical and relevant

• Why is it true? • Who Cares?


Rebuttal

• Same elements are true for building arguments and destroying them.

• Targeting the Idea > Analaysis > Evidence


Viv’s Rebuttal

TipsWays to rebut:• Establish that the opp argument is based on an error of fact / an erroneous interpretation of fact

• Establish that the opp argument is illogical (the conclusion does not logically flow from the premise)– Problem/solution gap

• Establish that the opp argument, while itself correct, involves unacceptable implications.

The best rebuttal works together these approaches into an “Even if..”


MANNERYour presentation. How engaging are you as a speaker?

First things first:• There’s no hard fast rule as to what makes

good manner• Everyone’s style is different - keep it natural

• Everyone can improve their manner


Consensus on what makes good manner:• Eye contact• Body language - gestures, posture• TONE• In control - you have the floor

Viv’s Hot tips:• Watch your language - no flippant comments

• Vary your manner• Be conscious of your own flaws


METHOD

How you present your caseCan you audience understand and follow what you are saying?

Matter impact:– Adjudicator can digest what you are saying

Manner impact:– You appear logical and in control.


How to keep your speech structured: • Team split

• Individual speaker: Introduce, Analyse, ConcludeSay what you’re going to say, say it then say what you said.

• Watch the clock


Speaker Roles

1st Affirmative• SET UP:

– Context– Definition – Team Position/Model

– Team Split

• Arguments (5 - 6 minutes)

1st Negative• Definition Issues

• Rebut (3 mins)• SET UP:

– Team Position/Counter Model

– Team Split

• Arguments (4 mins)

ROLE: Establish the grounds on which the debate will be fought


Definitions

• Define the meaning, not the words• Don’t need to spell it out (no “according to the Oxford dictionary…”

• In 3-on-3, definitions are usually clearly stated by the topic

• Context is the best way to go• Stress less and have fun!


The definition must be reasonableThere must be a debate to be had.

Unfair definitions:–Time set–Truistic - debate the should not the will

If you’re on the NEG to an unreasonable definition:–Don’t challenge. Ever.–Point out to your Adjudicator why the definition is unreasonable but debate the definition regardless.


Team Position

AFF: • Identify problem• Propose a

Solution (Model)

NEG: (3 Options)1/ Accept the problem• Propose an

alternative solution = counter model

2/ Accept the problem• Show that the AFF

solution exacerbates the problem

3/ Negate the problem


Speaker Roles

….continued2nd Affirmative• Rebut (3 mins)• Personal Split• Arguments (4 mins)

2nd Negative• Rebut (3 mins)• Personal Split• Arguments (4 mins)

ROLE: Move the debate forward by developing analysis of existing arguments and introducing new lines of argument


3rd Affirmative• Intro - biggest point Rebut (7 mins)

• Summarise and Conclude (30secs)

3rd Negative• Intro - biggest point

• Rebut (7 mins)• Summarise and Conclude (30secs)

ROLE: Organise the debate into clear questions/themes to make understanding it easier - then show why you won all of them! “Thematic Rebuttal”


How it all happens…..


Secret Topic, 30 minutes ARGHH! NO 1 Rule - DON’T

PANIC! You know more than you think

Key is to structure the time you have

Choice of 3 topics Mutual Preference System


Choice of Topics: Example

That all you need is loveThat China should float the

YuanThat trees should have the same legal rights as animals

1

3

2

3

2

1

Team of Arts students Team of Eco. students


Timeline for Prep

Activity Time Who

Brainstorm arguments

10 minutes Individually, then together

Prioritise arguments, build case and split

10 minutes together

Flesh out arguments

10 minutes Individually, with 3rd speaker help

Brainstorm opposition case

Walking to the debate!

together


Adjudication

• There are no draws• Scoring range 70-80• No automatic wins or losses• Adjudicator’s must provide reasons for there decisions


Viv’s Final Tips

• Don’t introduce yourself!!!!• Make the most of your introduction• Don’t write out speeches word for word!• Get clear feedback from your adjudicators

• READ shit• PARTICIPATE in Comps and practice debates.

• Stress less and have fun!

Date post:	26-May-2015
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Intro To University Debating

Technology