Inglés 2015

Debate

Predict!

a. What type of events is this?

b. What do you think they are talking about?

c. Why do you think they are there?

Debating contests and societies are common in high schools and universities in many English-speaking countries. Some famous American debaters include many former presidents of the United States (Clinton Johnson, and Nixon), some famous celebrities (Brand Pitt and Oprah Winfrey), many famous journalists, succesful businessmen, and others.

What is a debate?

Debate is a speech event in which two teams of two people each present arguments for and againts a proposition or resolution, to solve an issue in the world. The resolution must propose a change in the status quo, or the way things are now. It must be expressed as a statement or resolution, not a question (for example: University education should be free for all citizens).

What happens in a debate?

In a debate, one team becomes the affirmative team, and other is the negative team. The affirmative team is in favor of the resolution, while the negative team againts it. Each team, regardless of whether they agree or disagree with the proposition, must investigate the issue and both sides of the resolution so as to be able to defend or attack it.

To win the debate, the affirmative team has to present and defend their plan for change. This plan must include why things should change; how the plan will be carried out; and how it will solve the problem.

How is a debate carried out?

The times may vary, depending on the venue, but in most contests, the order of the speeches is a follows:

The constructive speeches

Once each team has investigated the issue (both the affirmative and the negative side of the resolution), they must plan their strategy. They decide who will be the first speaker and second speaker for their team and how they want to present their arguments, then each team member writes the constructive speech.

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