Monday, August 27, 2007
Building Arguments - ARE approach
Assertion The minimum driving age should be raised to 18.
Reasoning Raising the driving age will save lives by reducing accidents.
Evidence 16-year-old drivers have three times as many crashes as drivers aged 18 and 19.
Now you try by filling in the blanks
Assertion Television is a bad influence.
Reasoning Television shows too much violence.
Evidence
A The United Statesshould not have the death penalty.
R
E Since 1973, 108 people in 25 states have been released from death row because they were innocent.
A
R Eating junk food is bad for your health.
E Junk foods are high in fat and sugar. Too much fat and sugar puts you at risk for diabetes and heart disease.
A
R Allowing younger people to vote would increase their involvement in politics and society.
E
A
R
E Incidents of school violence have shown that students use their cellular phones to notify police and parents.
A Schools should not use animal dissection in classes.
R
E
Programme for rest of 2007
Tuesday 4th September : “ Defining the topic and coming up with good arguments“
We will work in teams and have to define a topic(s) as well as develop a basic logical structured argument with supporting examples and a TEAM LINE.
Tuesday 11th September: “ Rebuttal technique honing” Criticizing the others arguments
Short “games” in which we present statements of support and then have to also find ways of poking holes into these.
If we say argument is wrong we need to show how, we need to pick out the important points to rebut and to become familiar with different forms used in weak argument building – like strawman arguing, wrong conclusions drawn, only seeing extremes, not middle way etc –
Tuesday 18th September: “Speakers roles, timing and when to offer POI’s” We will list all the duties of each speaker and time period allocated, structure of this and grace periods. Rebutting and developing your arguments clearly and using presentation techniques. Good technique and debating language… house of Pinelands, how to POI,
HOLIDAYS
Tuesday 2nd October : “ Public Speaking – techniques to develop this effectively”
We will look at techniques to overcome stage fright, eye contact, cue cards and being comfortable with your points and evidence and practicing so not reading. Using voice volume, pitch and speed for emphasis. Body language, nervous habits, and helping each other. Do short off the cuff deliveries to accept constructive criticisms as well as what we do well and possible suggestions on what works for others.
Tuesday 9th October: Team debates begin – Putting it into action
Topic given and informed of the group you will be in. These will be groups of mixed ability and coin tossed for PROP or OPP decision. You will then in your teams go about preparing your debate and deciding on speakers, research, structure, rebuttals etc.
Tuesday 16th October: Team Debates final Preparation Meeting
Finalizing of structures and speeches refined, cue cards made, timing practiced… last minute glitches ironed out.
Tuesday 23rd October: THE DEBATES
We will have formal debates with all the normal rules of Rotary applying and scores will be given. We will announce the 2007 Team Debate Awards – and present prizes for Best Speaker, Most Improved Debater, Best Researcher and Behind the scenes contributor etc etc some fun and some serious.
We will work in teams and have to define a topic(s) as well as develop a basic logical structured argument with supporting examples and a TEAM LINE.
Tuesday 11th September: “ Rebuttal technique honing” Criticizing the others arguments
Short “games” in which we present statements of support and then have to also find ways of poking holes into these.
If we say argument is wrong we need to show how, we need to pick out the important points to rebut and to become familiar with different forms used in weak argument building – like strawman arguing, wrong conclusions drawn, only seeing extremes, not middle way etc –
Tuesday 18th September: “Speakers roles, timing and when to offer POI’s” We will list all the duties of each speaker and time period allocated, structure of this and grace periods. Rebutting and developing your arguments clearly and using presentation techniques. Good technique and debating language… house of Pinelands, how to POI,
HOLIDAYS
Tuesday 2nd October : “ Public Speaking – techniques to develop this effectively”
We will look at techniques to overcome stage fright, eye contact, cue cards and being comfortable with your points and evidence and practicing so not reading. Using voice volume, pitch and speed for emphasis. Body language, nervous habits, and helping each other. Do short off the cuff deliveries to accept constructive criticisms as well as what we do well and possible suggestions on what works for others.
Tuesday 9th October: Team debates begin – Putting it into action
Topic given and informed of the group you will be in. These will be groups of mixed ability and coin tossed for PROP or OPP decision. You will then in your teams go about preparing your debate and deciding on speakers, research, structure, rebuttals etc.
Tuesday 16th October: Team Debates final Preparation Meeting
Finalizing of structures and speeches refined, cue cards made, timing practiced… last minute glitches ironed out.
Tuesday 23rd October: THE DEBATES
We will have formal debates with all the normal rules of Rotary applying and scores will be given. We will announce the 2007 Team Debate Awards – and present prizes for Best Speaker, Most Improved Debater, Best Researcher and Behind the scenes contributor etc etc some fun and some serious.
What do you do at Debate meetings?
The general format is that we get given a debate topic two weeks before it is to be debated.
The approach that we need to develop is tackling it together as members of the debating team. While only 3 people debate, we all develop the material collectively.
We begin by analyzing the topic – we look at the wording, make sure we understand it correctly.
With Junior Debates we know whether we are going to be for or against the topic, with Senior debates we have to prepare both sides and only know an hour beforehand which way we will have to argue.
We generally start then with a brainstorming session – all our ideas, associations, and thoughts that we think link with the topic.
We then look at various ways we could link these together to present a clear logical argument to support our stand and we also take note of what research we will need to do to develop evidence and facts to support our argument.
We choose our 3 debaters and the remainder of us link up with Speakers to help them to prepare their argument.
Each speaker has clearly defined roles and as a team we need to flow towards our goal… and we need to do work on developing our team line and skills in a debate. We also need to think of the opposing sides possible arguments and how we can “ attack “ them and weaken their case.
The week before the debate we present our argument and check timing, our backing up of our arguments and we make sure that we all know the structure of our debate and iron out any hitches and final cue cards made, styles rehearsed and what judges look for are remembered and corrected.
The debate itself is the proof of the pudding – as individuals we face our own fears and correct our individual weaknesses by participating. It is a wonderful chance to learn and the judges give advice and guidance. The floor is opened up after the formal debate, and we can chat about the debate, and strategies used…
And then we start again.
The approach that we need to develop is tackling it together as members of the debating team. While only 3 people debate, we all develop the material collectively.
We begin by analyzing the topic – we look at the wording, make sure we understand it correctly.
With Junior Debates we know whether we are going to be for or against the topic, with Senior debates we have to prepare both sides and only know an hour beforehand which way we will have to argue.
We generally start then with a brainstorming session – all our ideas, associations, and thoughts that we think link with the topic.
We then look at various ways we could link these together to present a clear logical argument to support our stand and we also take note of what research we will need to do to develop evidence and facts to support our argument.
We choose our 3 debaters and the remainder of us link up with Speakers to help them to prepare their argument.
Each speaker has clearly defined roles and as a team we need to flow towards our goal… and we need to do work on developing our team line and skills in a debate. We also need to think of the opposing sides possible arguments and how we can “ attack “ them and weaken their case.
The week before the debate we present our argument and check timing, our backing up of our arguments and we make sure that we all know the structure of our debate and iron out any hitches and final cue cards made, styles rehearsed and what judges look for are remembered and corrected.
The debate itself is the proof of the pudding – as individuals we face our own fears and correct our individual weaknesses by participating. It is a wonderful chance to learn and the judges give advice and guidance. The floor is opened up after the formal debate, and we can chat about the debate, and strategies used…
And then we start again.
What skills do you need?
What skills do I need?
Debating skills often need to be developed and as you interact and see the various skills in action you will develop them. It can be quite scary in the beginning, as those in the know seem so skilled and knowledgeable and can come up with logical arguments with speed – relax – they are scary! And no one expects you to match them. Take your time, listen to the process, listen to the arguments they raise and try and see how it would fit the topic. Come and watch debates and see how they are run, time limits, how to counteract the other side and the judges advice and suggestions.
Debating skills often need to be developed and as you interact and see the various skills in action you will develop them. It can be quite scary in the beginning, as those in the know seem so skilled and knowledgeable and can come up with logical arguments with speed – relax – they are scary! And no one expects you to match them. Take your time, listen to the process, listen to the arguments they raise and try and see how it would fit the topic. Come and watch debates and see how they are run, time limits, how to counteract the other side and the judges advice and suggestions.
Why Debate?
What is a debate?
A discussion between sides with different views.
For what reason?
Debates are a means of encouraging critical thinking, personal expression and tolerance of others opinions. It is essential to democracy. Debates allow one to see another perspective, how other people justify what they believe in and broadens your ability to make decisions based on seeing opposing sides.
A discussion between sides with different views.
For what reason?
Debates are a means of encouraging critical thinking, personal expression and tolerance of others opinions. It is essential to democracy. Debates allow one to see another perspective, how other people justify what they believe in and broadens your ability to make decisions based on seeing opposing sides.
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