Post by shona on Dec 13, 2012 21:48:47 GMT
You will usually have two weeks to prepare for each debate. You should use this time to research the motion you will be debating. Newspapers, reference books and websites are all likely to contain valuable information, and relevant examples, which can be used to strengthen your case. Please see Appendix E: List of Useful Resources for further details.
The foundation of any good debate is the content of the arguments presented. Your arguments should be:
- Relevant to the motion as defined in the debate.
- Well thought out and logically ordered.
- Consistent with each speaker in a team supporting the other and making sure that there are no contradictions between the speeches.
- As there are two teams on each side it is important for teams not to contradict one another.
- Clearly proven with factual evidence and examples.
Most importantly your arguments should be closely related to the motion.
THE CASE
Once you have decided on your approach to the motion, it is useful to develop a ‘case’. This is the line of reasoning you will take during the debate. For example, the Proposition’s ‘case’ on the motion ‘This House would ban animal testing’ may be:
Animal testing is an abhorrent activity and offers few benefits either for the cosmetic industry or medical science. Animals are not things that we should experiment on for our own ends and for this reason animal testing should be banned.
The Opposition’s case line could be as follows:
While we concede that we should do everything possible to minimise the suffering of animals which are tested upon, many of the greatest breakthroughs in medical science have come about thanks to animal testing. The testing of cosmetic products is important too as we should not be able to sell anything that may harm the public – animal testing, though flawed, is still the best way to ensure high standards.
Each of the main arguments should fit into this overall case line. It is useful to either repeat, or at least keep in mind, your case line during the debate: this shows the adjudicators and audience that the team’s approach is consistent throughout the debate.