What are the sides of a debate called?
Specifically, any debate will have two sides: a proposition side, and an opposition side. What are the parts of a debate? A formal debate usually involves three groups: one supporting a resolution (affirmative team), one opposing the resolution (opposing team), and those who are judging the quality of the evidence and arguments and the ...
What are the two sides in a debate?
- Greet the audience. You should always greet your audience.
- State what your side is arguing. After you greet your audience, concisely state your team's argument.
- Make eye contact with audience members.
- Speak slowly and clearly.
What are the different portions of a debate?
- Standards for evaluation. ...
- Here are a list of criteria: cost – benefit, betterment of society, equal opportunity, quality of life, nonviolence, human dignity,protection of the weak, personal autonomy, individual expression, universal human rights, ...
- A counter Criteria is one that is superior to another advanced by the other team.
How to start a debate?
“Most countries are founded and start off on the basis of high ideals and noble values.
What are the two sides in debate called?
The proposition side is called the Affirmative or Aff, and the opposition side is called the Negative or Neg. Each side is a team composed of two debaters, so that there are four people participating in the debate (not including the judge and audience).
What are parts of a debate?
However, most debates include the same main parts -- opening statements, rebuttals, question-and-answer sessions -- sometimes referred to as cross-examinations -- and closing statements.
What are the two positions in a debate?
In debating, there are two teams of three speakers – the affirmative team and the negative team, which debate a topic, called a motion or a moot. We will use 'motion' throughout this guide. The affirmative team takes the position suggested by the motion and provides arguments in support.
What is opposing in debate?
In every debate round there is a proposition team and an opposition team. The proposition team proposes the motion, meaning they argue in favor of the motion. The opposition team opposes the motion, meaning that they argue against the motions.
What are the 3 parts of an argument debate?
There are three parts to an argument in debate: the claim, the data, and the warrant.
What is a framework in debate?
Very simply put, a framework in academic debate is the set of standards the judge will use to evaluate a case. It is the judge's duty to listen to both sides of the debate and determine a winner. The judge will either use criteria you provide or her own or a combination of standards.
Who are the members of a debate?
A formal debate usually involves three groups: one supporting a resolution (affirmative team), one opposing the resolution (opposing team), and those who are judging the quality of the evidence and arguments and the performance in the debate.
What do you call your position on debate topic?
The two positions in a debate are the affirmative and the negative. The affirmative or "pro" side in a debate argues in favor of something while the negative or "con" side argues against something.
Which side goes first in a debate?
The affirmativeEach team has two or three constructive speeches, and two to three rebuttal speeches. The affirmative gives the first constructive speech, and the rebuttals alternate: negative, affirmative, negative, affirmative. The affirmative has both the first and last speeches of the debate.
What are the roles in a debate team?
Speaking orderFirst speaker of the Proposition.First speaker of the Opposition.Second speaker of the Proposition.Second speaker of the Opposition.Third speaker of the Proposition.Third speaker of the Opposition.Reply speaker of the Opposition.Reply speaker of the Proposition.
What is a rebuttal in a formal debate?
As it pertains to an argument or debate, the definition of a rebuttal is the presentation of evidence and reasoning meant to weaken or undermine an opponent's claim. However, in persuasive speaking, a rebuttal is typically part of a discourse with colleagues and rarely a stand-alone speech.
What is proposition in a debate?
In an argument or debate, a proposition is a statement that affirms or denies something. As explained below, a proposition may function as a premise or a conclusion in a syllogism or enthymeme. In formal debates, a proposition may also be called a topic, motion, or resolution.
What is debate in politics?
Debate is a process that involves formal discourse on a particular topic. In a debate, arguments are put forward for often opposing viewpoints. Debates have historically occurred in public meetings, academic institutions, debate halls, coffeehouses, competitions, and legislative assemblies. It is a formal type of discussion, ...
What is competitive debate?
In competitive debates, teams compete against each other and are judged the winner by a list of criteria that is usually based around the concepts of "content, style, and strategy". There are many different styles of competitive debating, organizations, and rules.
How long is a Mace debate?
Each speaker will make a seven-minute speech in the order; 1st Proposition, 1st Opposition, 2nd Proposition, 2nd Opposition. After the first minute of each speech, members of the opposing team may request a ' point of information ' (POI). If the speaker accepts, they are permitted to ask a question. POI's are used to pull the speaker up on a weak point, or to argue against something the speaker has said. However, after 6 minutes, no more POIs are permitted. After all four debaters have spoken, the debate will be opened to the floor, in which members of the audience will question the teams. Finally, One speaker from each team will speak for 4 minutes. In these summary speeches, the speaker will answer the questions posed by the floor and opposition, before summarizing their own key points. The MACE format of debate is designed to be beginner-friendly and to prepare students for BP Parliamentary debate (which it is modeled off).
What is public forum debate?
"Public forum" debating combines aspects of both policy debate and Lincoln-Douglas debate, but makes them easily understood by the general public by having shorter speech lengths, and long questioning periods, called "cross-fires", where the debaters interact. This form of debate is also designed to address current affairs, with topics that change monthly and address both U.S policy and international issues. This form of debate is primarily found within the United States. The core basis of this type of debate is to appeal for anyone who is eligible to become a jury member, unlike the policy debate or Lincoln-Douglas debate, which requires more experience in debate to judge.
What was the name of the student debating society?
Student debating societies. A debate at the Cambridge Union Society (c. 1887). Princeton University in the future United States was home to a number of short-lived student debating societies throughout the mid-1700s. The American Whig Society was co-founded in 1769 by future revolutionary James Madison.
What is a debating contest?
Modern debating contests include rules for participants to discuss and decide upon the framework of the debate (how the debate will be judged). Debating is carried out in debating chambers and assemblies of various types to discuss matters and to make resolutions about action to be taken, often by voting.
How many people are in an Australasian debate?
The Australasian style debate consists of two teams, each consisting of three people, debating over a topic. The topic is presented in the form of an affirmative statement beginning with "That" or "This House", for example, "That cats are better than dogs", or "This House should raise taxes".
What is debate in politics?
What is Debate? A debate is a form of public discourse; it can be in the form of formal direct oral contest or competition in argumentation between two or more people on a defined proposition at a specific time. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, debate is “a formal discussion on a particular matter in a public meeting or legislative ...
How are debates performed?
Debates are performed in a structured setting that gives all participants a chance to present and defend their arguments. In other words, the two debating sides are given a proposition ...
What is the affirmative side of a proposition?
The Affirmative side of the proposition – also called the Proposition – advocates, supports, and upholds the resolution. The Negative Side of the proposition – also called the Opposition – opposes and refutes the resolution; as such, they deny the stance of the Affirmative.
What is competitive debate?
Competitive debate can be in the form of a formal, disciplined, and rule-governed contest/competition that is conducted within a set framework. A debate may comprise single participants or teams that include several individuals.
What is the difference between the proposition and the opposition?
Stated differently, the Proposition is the team that attempts to secure the acceptance of a proposition. The Opposition is the team that attempts to secure the rejection of a proposition. It is vital that the proposition should take a definite stance on an issue.
What is a debate?
A debate is a formal and organized argument where the participants discuss a subject from two opposing sides. Each topic has two sides. Those who agree with the idea are on the "Pro" side. However, those who disagree are on the "Con" side. Each side presents the argument clearly to engage the audience.
What is the purpose of debate?
The primary purpose of a debate is to convince the audience that your viewpoint is right. Moreover, a mediator decides the winner during formal debate tournaments. Nevertheless, the informal debate continues until the time when any one of the debate team gives up.
Why is debate important in writing?
Debates provide various positive benefits for the students. It increases the opportunity for listening and speaking in the classroom. Therefore, debate writing requires proper structure to support and present the claim.
What is public forum debate?
Public Forum Debate. Public forum debate is considered as an audience friendly and a current events debate. It includes two teams of debaters that argue on monthly controversial topics. The round begins with a coin toss between the competing debate teams.
Why are debates not good?
However, the main aim is to engage and persuade the audience. Most students are not good at writing debates because they are often unfamiliar with the major types. If you are one of them, read this detailed guide to get an idea about the forms of debating and examples.
What is the Lincoln Douglas debate?
It is mainly inspired by the debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in the 1850s. Moreover, this is a one-on-one debate that focuses on arguing for or against a topic. Here, the participants agree on the time limits and topics beforehand.
What is the purpose of a team policy debate?
Here, the structure includes the following elements. The primary objective of team policy debate is to present a huge amount of evidence quickly and coherently. Moreover, these are most commonly used as middle school or high school debates.

Opening Statements and Arguments
Formal Rebuttals
- Once both sides clearly identify and explain their points, each side has the opportunity to express why it believes the other's arguments are weak or invalid -- this process is known as the "rebuttal." The opposing side offers its rebuttal first. You might start your rebuttal with: "My opponent's claims are wrong for several reasons." Or, "My research shows that my opponent's views lack cr…
Question & Answer Sessions
- Some debates have a question-and-answer session, in which each side asks its opponent questions. The purpose of cross-examination is to clarify your opponents' arguments, force them to commit to a specific position on vague issues, bring up any fallacies or errors with their arguments and discuss shortcomings with their evidence, according to the International Debate …
Closing Statements
- Closing statements help each side summarize its main arguments and stress its most critical points. They also allow you to remind the judges of your opponent's shortcomings. The affirmative side presents its closing arguments first. The aim is to persuasively convince your audience that you have solid evidence to back your arguments and that your opponent's views c…
Overview
Debate is a process that involves formal discourse on a particular topic, often including a moderator and audience. In a debate, arguments are put forward for often opposing viewpoints. Debates have historically occurred in public meetings, academic institutions, debate halls, coffeehouses, competitions, and legislative assemblies. Debate has also been conducted for educational and recreational purposes, usually associated with educational establishments and …
Competitive debating
In competitive debates, teams compete against each other and are judged the winner by a list of criteria that is usually based around the concepts of "content, style, and strategy". There are numerous styles of competitive debating, organizations, and rules.
Competitive debating is carried out at the local, national, and international levels.
In schools and colleges, competitive debating often takes the form of a contest with explicit rule…
History
Debating in various forms has a long history and can be traced back to the philosophical and political debates of Ancient Greece, such as Athenian democracy or Shastrartha in Ancient India. Modern forms of debating and the establishment of debating societies occurred during the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century.
Trinity College Dublin boasts two of Europe's oldest debating societies: The Phil, founded in 1683…
Political debate
In parliaments and other legislatures, members debate proposals regarding legislation, before voting on resolutions which become laws. Debates are usually conducted by proposing a law, or changes to a law known as amendments. Parliamentary-style debates are structured with two opposing sides, the Leader of Opposition (LO) and the Government (GOV). After each side is given an opportunity to speak once, members are permitted to give reply speeches to the opposing sid…
International groups and events
United Asian Debating Championship is the biggest university debating tournament in Asia, where teams from the Middle East to Japan come to debate. It is traditionally hosted in Southeast Asia, where participation is usually highest compared to other parts of Asia.
Asian debates are largely an adaptation of the Australasian format. The only difference is that each speaker is given 7 minutes of speech time, and there will be points of information (POI) off…
Youth Debate
In youth debate, students typically either have classroom debates moderated and graded by teachers or they participate as pairs in inter-school debate competitions.
In classroom debates, the topics of the debate are related to course content and material and during the debate, students on either side put forth arguments and proposals relating to class content as well as defenses of their own argument against the opposing side. The teacher and p…
Other forms of debate
With the increasing popularity and availability of the Internet, differing opinions arise frequently. Though they are often expressed via flaming and other forms of argumentation, which consist primarily of assertions, formalized debating websites do exist. The debate-style varies from site to site, with local communities and cultures developing. Some sites promote a contentious atmosphere that can border on "flaming" (the personal insult of your opponent, also known as a t…
See also
• Debates
• Conversation
• Dialectics
• Public speaking
• Disputation