Debate Basics
How Long is each speech in WSDC format?
Speaker 1-3: 8 minutes
Reply Speech: 4 minutes
Which speakers CAN be the Reply speech on either team?
Only speaker 1 or 2
What is the first step in a rebuttal?
Identify and summarize the opponent’s argument.
What is a clash?
Answer:
A major disagreement between both teams on an important issue.
[Example]
Do school uniforms reduce bullying?
Proposition:
Uniforms reduce bullying because students look the same and cannot show expensive clothing.
Opposition:
Uniforms do not reduce bullying because students still bully others about phones, shoes, or social background.
Motions that begin with “This House would…” usually require what?
A policy or model.
What is the main purpose of a reply speech?
Framing the debate and speaking about any Clashes
'This debate comes down to two key questions"
Comparative analysis - Explain how your team won each clash.
The Opposition claimed ____. However, our side demonstrated through multiple case studies____
Weighing
Show why your team’s side matters more in the big picture.
Which speaker usually gives the last major new arguments in the debate?
Second speaker.
What are the three steps of effective rebuttal?
Identify their argument
Explain what is wrong with it
Explain why that matters in the debate
What is weighing in debate?
Answer:
Explaining why your argument or impact matters more than the opponent’s.
[example] Motion:
This House would ban private cars in city centers.
“Even if some businesses lose customers, our impact is more important because air pollution affects the health of thousands of people every day. Protecting public health should matter more than business convenience.”
What is a model in debate?
A plan explaining how a policy will work in real life.
Proposition must show:
• Who will build the new policy
• What exactly will be done
• How it will be enforced (by law)
• When it will start and how long it takes
Opposition shows why this is
1) wrong or unnecessary
2) Too expensive or unrealistic
3) Other options are better
what is the difference between a "Prepared Motion" and an "impromptu motion"?
What is the main job of the third speaker?
Rebut the other team and summarize clashes, some weighing too.
(no major new arguments).
Opposition says:
“AI increases productivity.”
Create a double-bag rebuttal.
(Double bagging means you attacking an argument in two ways:
It is not true
It is not important)
Example:
AI does not increase productivity because many systems make errors.
Even if productivity improves, it mainly benefits corporations rather than workers.
~~~WiLd cARd~~~~
YOU get to choose your teammates for next week's debate.
Privately message your teacher 2 members for the debate.
Note: Your teacher will try to arrange it closely and it may not be 100% possible.
Name two things the Proposition must explain in their model.
Proposition must show:
• Who will build the new policy
• What exactly will be done
• How it will be enforced (by law)
• When it will start and how long it takes
~~~wILd CArD~~~~~
You get to choose your debate side for next week's debate: Prop or Opp?
Motion: This House opposes internet gurus selling their own products and services.
Scenario Question:
The first speaker argued homework teaches discipline.
As second speaker, you explain it also builds independent learning skills.
What is this called?
Starts with "E"
An extension.
[an extension is when you add new examples or impact to speaker 1 or 2's arguments]
Write a strategic POI to challenge this argument:
“Banning private tutoring reduces inequality.”
Example Answer:
“If tutoring is banned, how do students who are struggling get extra help?”
Scenario Question:
Proposition: free healthcare saves lives.
Opposition: Free health care makes taxes increase.
Use impact weighing to explain why the Proposition wins.
[remember impact weighing will tell the judges why the "scale, severity, timeframe or ability to be undone" is more important]
Example Answer:
Saving lives affects more people and is more serious than paying higher taxes.
~~~~ WilD CarD~~~~~
YOU get to choose your teammates for next week's debate.
Privately message your teacher 2 members for the debate.
Note: Your teacher will try to arrange it closely and it may not be 100% possible.
Challenge:
Stand up and give one 30-second argument supporting this motion:
THBT school should start later in the morning.
(Any reasonable argument wins the points.)
~~~WiLd CaRd~~~`
You get to choose your debate side for next week's debate: Prop or Opp?
Motion: This House opposes internet gurus selling their own products and services.
Scenario Challenge:
Create a 15-second POI question to challenge this argument:
“School uniforms stop bullying.”
Possible Answer:
“If uniforms stop bullying, why do schools with uniforms still report bullying based on appearance or social background?”
Scenario Question:
Opposition says banning cars hurts businesses.
Proposition says banning cars improves public health.
What should the judge compare to decide which impact matters more?
[4 impacts to think about when weighing]
S__
S__
T__
R__
Scale (How many people are affected?)
Severity (How serious is the harm?)
Timeframe (How fast or how long does it happen?)
Reversibility (Can the harm be fixed?)
Motion:
This House would ban smartphones for students under 16 in schools
Explain your model
Example
Who
The national Ministry of Education or local school boards introduce the rule.
What exactly will be done
Students under the age of 16 are not allowed to use smartphones during school hours. Phones must remain turned off and stored in lockers or special phone pouches during the school day.
How it will be enforced
Teachers or school staff check that phones are stored at the beginning of the day. If a student uses a phone, it is confiscated until the end of the school day or returned to parents after repeated violations.
When it begins
The policy begins at the start of the next school year to give schools and families time to prepare.
How long it lasts
The rule applies permanently unless schools later review and change the policy.