Structure of a Debate Speech

Debate Speeches have 3 major parts: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion

Introduction  - The key is to make it clear what your case is

1. Preamble (optional) – A short (30 seconds max) story or statistic that frames  (i.e. gives the audience a certain mindset when thinking about) the resolution 

2A. If and only if you are the 1st Prop/PM - Define the resolution. You must define all of the terms and then paraphrase your definition. The definition should be clear and may not be unreasonable or a truism.

2B. If not PM – Briefly paraphrase the government definition but use exact quotes if, and only if, one of the terms is crucial to your argument. If the Opposition is going to challenge the definition — and it is usually a bad idea to do so unless it is undebatable — it must do so here and it can only do so if the 1st Opposition can show that the government definition is unreasonable or a truism. In that case the 1st Opposition redefines it and then argues against the redefined resolution.

3. Framing – Discuss the fundamental question in the debate, generalizing it if appropriate. The fundamental question is often of the form “How do we decide if …”  or  “ What is the basis for deciding if …“ Explain what the issues are and, if appropriate, what are not issues. Explain what is the debate about. Do not just state that you are going to argue in favour and they are going to argue against. As the opposition you may not want to accept the proposition/government’s framing of the debate, in which case you must put forward your own and explain why it is better.

Body  (RDA (Refute, Defend, Add))

1- Refutation (except for PM’s first speech) – This is usually done before presenting your constructive case but can be done after it. Go over all of your opponents’ reasons one by one (number them) and refute each one. If you are the 2nd opposition, attack both the 1st Prop points (if you have time and if any are still standing after your partner’s speech) and the 2nd Prop's points. The way to attack their reasons is to show that they are irrelevant or insufficient (i.e. even if true, they are not significant enough to prove the resolution) or questionable (i.e. they are not true or are unproven) or that they are outweighed by other factors. You can the SEER format, i.e. State their reason, Explain why it is wrong. give Evidence/Example to illustrate it, and Return to the resolution as defined – show that they haven not proven what they must prove ) 

2- Constructive Case

A) Allocation – If you are the first speaker on your side, explain how you are going to divide the case between yourself and your partner. It is best to see if there is a way to divide the case into two general areas, e.g. practical and principle, cost and safety, individual and society, long term and short term.

B) Have two to three reasons backed by detailed evidence or examples. If you are the second speaker on your side, go over your partner’s points before getting to your own; DO NOT just state them but defend them and expand them or point out that the other side has not dealt with them, and then go on to your point(s). You can use the ARE format ( Assertion - state your reason, Reasoning - explain why your reason is true and why that matters for the resolution, and Evidence/Example - provide evidence and /or examples to illustrate your reason. Your side should have no more than four reasons and your partner should have at least one of those four. Number your reasons.

Conclusion

Conclude your speech with a summary of what your side (include your partner’s points if, and only if, they have already spoken) has said. If you have time, try to summarize each of your reasons as a single sentence or clause. You may want to then end by emphasizing your strongest point, challenging the opposition, or using a quote or memorable phrase