SPEECH & DEBATE INTRO

SPEECH & DEBATE INTRO

Welcome to Speech & Debate!

What is Speech & Debate?

Let's Find Out!

Speech is...

• communication

• speaking skills & good practices & how to have fluency

• How to make a formal speech on a topic to an audience

Debate is...

• a formal or informal discussion about a topic, in which opposing arguments are presented to try to convince/persuade the other side of their stance on an issue

• A discussion on a topic that can be argued on both sides

Debate is NOT...

• based only on your opinion

• an argument with no evidence

• "because I said so"

• Taking down the other side with insults

• something that can be answered by Googling it

• an attack on a person

Some Examples of Debate:

Let's Explore!

Just a Few Examples...

• Should schools be in session all year round?

• Do videogames make children more violent?

• Does modern social media make people less socially active?

• Banning mobile devices (cell phones, smartphones) at schools: yes or no?

Poll

Which one of these most interests you?

• all-year school

• videogames make people violent?

• Social media = less social?

• Banning cell phones at school

• None of these

Let's review!

Multiple Choice

Debate is ....

• a fight

• your opinion

• a discussion on a topic being argued

• something that can be answered by Googling it

Multiple Choice

Debate can be formal or informal: True or False?

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Speech in "Speech & Debate" is...

• a discussion

• a spoken or written speech given to an audience

• grammar rules

• any form of talking

Multiple Choice

An example of a debate would be...

• arguing with your mom about whether to do chores

• two students arguing with each other

• two sides addressing an argument with evidence

• arguing with your teacher

Key Terms in Debate

Let's go over some Vocab!

Claim

1. A debatable statement. 

This is your stance on a debate topic.

For example:

Fall is the best season.

Playstation is better than Xbox.

Resolution

A statement or question giving the topic up for debate.

You may agree or disagree with the resolution statement.

Example of a resolution:

Do videogames make children more violent?

Should cell phones be banned in schools?

You are trying to SOLVE this issue / question.

Stance

Which side of the argument you agree with.

This is your opinion/belief that you are going to argue using evidence.

You could also think of this as your Point of View on a topic or issue.

PRO / Affirmative

AGREES with the resolution (or issue) presented.

Example:

Yes, videogames do make children more violent.

Yes, cell phones should be banned in schools.

CON / Negative

DISAGREES with the resolution / issue.

Examples:

No, videogames do not make children more violent, because....

No, cell phones should not be banned in schools because...

Argument (Debate Definition)

A discussion in which a number of people present different or opposing opinions on a subject / topic using evidence, logic, and reasoning.

Counterargument (CounterClaim)

an argument or set of reasons given to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument.

(An argument that goes against someone else's claim.)

Evidence

Something that gives proof or leads to a conclusion.

To indicate clearly

Ground for belief

Rebuttal

Showing evidence that contradicts or goes against what the other team has presented. (AKA Counter-argument)

Multiple Choice

A claim is...

• A counterargument

• evidence

• a podium

• a statement

Multiple Choice

The AFFIRMATIVE disagrees with the resolution.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The NEGATIVE disagrees with the Resolution.

• true

• false

Open Ended

Any questions so far?.... Anything that confuses you?....

Thank you!!