Debate Basics
What team supports the proposition?
Affirmative
Give one phrase for disagreeing
- "I see your point, but..."
- "Hmmm, I'm not so sure about that."
- "I am afraid I must respectfully disagree with ...."
To test the opponent's arguments
Waht is the main point you want people to believe?
Claim
Name two types of grammatical question forms we learned this semester.
WH
Polar
Tag
Imp - Imperative - grand tour
Dec - Declarative acting as a question
What is a rebuttal?
A speech that responds attacks from and challenges the opponent's arguments(s).
Give one phrase to use when you don't understand someone's point
Should you make speeches or give your opinions when asking questions during cross-examination?
No
What supports a claim?
Evidence
Name the two functions questions can have as we learned this semster.
Expand
Constrain
What is a debate proposition? Give an example of one from this semester.
That statement usually with the word 'should' that frames a debate.
Why should you give reasons for your opinion?
To make your opinion more convincing.
Which question form is better (usually) in cross examination - WH or Polar? Why?
Polar (usually)
Yes/No answers are easier to predict and control
What explains why the evidence supports the claim?
Reasoning (warrant), or examples.
What is an example of a Grand Tour Question (IMP)?
Tell me about your family...
Explain two of the rules we followed in classroom debates.
- only ask questions in cross-examination
- when the buzzer rings, you can end your sentence
- no laptops/GenAI use during the debate
- only handwritten notes
Give an example from this semester of when your group had to reach a consensus.
Example - After the Nanohana Skies and Cold Plunge Mock Trial and Disciplinary Board Hearing, you had to all come to agreement about whether Khai was guilty of manslaughter; at the hearing you had to decide the what action to take - the consequence for Fuka and Charli's sharing of prescription drugs.
After getting an unexpected answer in cross-examination, what should you do?
Ask a follow-up question
Which is the strongest form of evidence:
Your personal experience
Cultural pattern examples
Relevant scientific studies
Spiritual revelation
What type of form-function question was ideal for the Disciplinary board hearing?
WH-Expand
Polar-Expand
Polar - Expand
How can you make your voice sound more convincing and confident in debate?
- speak with a clear, loud, consistent voice
- I think we are getting off track, we are talking about.....
- I think we are done with this point; how about if we move on to talk about ....
What is one sign of an effective cross-examination?
Exposing a weakness in logic, evidence or claim
True or False:
Evidence can be true but still fail to support a claim
True
What is the best form-function question for the last of three questions in a cross examination?
WH - Constrain or simple POL-Constrain
Give an example
WH- Constrain