Debating

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

Structure

Opening:

Which side are you on? 1 minute

Introductory Remarks Team A / Team B (2 min each)

– first arguments; in turns

Preparation rebuttal: (2 min)

Rebuttal Team A / Team B (2/3 min each)

– response to first arguments; in turns

Open discussion (simultaneous) (6 min)

– interactive discussion of the introduction and rebuttal points

Preparation conclusion (1 min)

Conclusion (1/2 min each)

– restatement of the strongest arguments from all previous stages; in turns

Audience chooses the winner

End

Debating

Democratic candidates' debate: Opening statements - ABC News

While watching:

1) Who was convincing? Can you give a reason why?

2) Who was less convincing? Why?

3) Who delivered the best opening statement in your opinion?

4) Who delivered the worst statement in your opinion?

Who did it best?

Joe Biden

Cory Booker

Pete Buttigieg

Julian Castro

Kamala Harris

Amy Klobuchar

Beto O'Rourke

Bernie Sanders

Elizabeth Warren

Andrew Yang

Why?

Write an opening statement for/against:
The VAR should be reversed
Classes in 6VWO should be optional

Mini debate

Form duos

Research the topic “No phones in school” – 10 minutes

Write an opening statement for and against – 10 minutes

Teacher makes groups of 4 – coin flip

Take turns for your 1 minute opening statement

Use 1 minute to discuss your rebuttal in duos

Rebuttal – 1 minute per duo

Write closing statement – 5 minutes

Take turns for 1 minute closing statement

Opening statement for

Opening statement against

Closing statement

The rebuttal

Read the text

Highlight information you found surprising or interesting (what can you use in your debate?)

Do exercise 1

1.2 = Challenge premise "Getting on with people is a vital life skill"

1.3= which one of the challenges is best?

Which challenge to the premise was best?

Challenge 1

Challenge 2

Challenge 3

Undesired conclusion

Rebuttal tennis

Global Listening: WOOTS

Woots

Almost there...

The Plan:

We have practiced all seperate parts of the debate

Next week: Testprep classes + forming groups + Mock debate

Today: Prep for mock debate

Let's start with some learning by example

Mehdi Hasan (Journalist) Debates American Conservatives

" Mehdi Hasans jubileumdebat 'Surrounded' was misschien wel het meest bizarre en ontspoorde debat in zijn journalistieke carrière. En nee, veel van zijn 20 (!) 'extreemrechtse conservatieve' tegenstanders waren niet geïnteresseerd in een debat te goeder trouw (of democratie, of mensenrechten...). Maar Mehdi was voorbereid!"

What techniques do you wish you could copy from him?

Mock Debate: "Exams should be abolished"

After this debate you are fully aware of what to do in the debate and you are capable to hold your own

25 minutes: Find as much info on "Exams should be abolished"

* Find pros and cons and prepare to debate topic

* Prepare for all parts of the debate (intro statement, rebuttal, open debate, conclusion)

Next class: Mock debate in groups + evaluation

Use: https://www.debatingforeveryone.com/resources/think-like-a-debater/what-is-the-point-of-exams2

Test Prep

1. Talking points: 10 minute card game + 5 minutes class discussion
   
2. Then go to: https://www.debatingforeveryone.com/resources/how-to-debate
   
3. 15 min.: Read one or two articles that focus on a difficulty you might still have. Eg:
   

• I fear the opponent has a stronger case to make
  
• I fear I might freeze during my speech
  
• What do I do when I accidentally help the other team
  
• How to build the best case for the opposition?
  
• How to build the best case for the proposition?

4. Write down 2 things you take away from the article to use in your own debate

5. 5 min: Move to your debate groups and get eachother up to speed

6. Final 10 min: Prepare your debate

Time for some tough love...

Improving your argumentation

Groups of 3/ 4:

• Debater A + B + C (+D) assemble arguments for the proposition of the notion: exams should be abolished
• Groups assemble arguments for the proposition. They then pick the three best arguments, and assign one to each member of the group.
  
• Debaters spend five minutes preparing a case for their assigned argument.
• Debater A presents her case to the group. + Debater B ruthlessly attacks her argument +

Debater C (and D) observes, taking notes.

• Debater C (and D) then makes suggestions to Debater A on how she could address the weaknesses.
• Repeat the above, with Debaters B and C taking turns to make their case, with other debaters taking on roles of critic / note taker.
• Then all debaters take turns to make their case again. The other two debaters in the group provide feedback on what is stronger about the case, and what could improve.
  

What should you focus on when "attacking" the argument?

• Are there any logical contradictions in the argument?
  
• Is the debater guilty of any logical fallacies (drogreden/schijnreden)?
  
• How has she used evidence? Is it appropriate? Accurate? Is there too much? Not enough?
  
• On what principles is the argument founded? What is wrong with these principles?
  
• What objections to the argument have not been anticipated / addressed?
  
• What does the argument take for granted / fail to address?
• In how many different ways could this argument be attacked by the opposition?

How excited are you on a scale of Shania to Michael Scott?