Debate: Arguing for and against a controversial topic

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Debate: Arguing for and against a controversial topic
  
Overview
In a debate, two teams participate in a verbal contest presenting their position on a contentious issue such as whether drugs should be legalized or should the death penalty be allowed. The pro team supports the controversial proposition, providing arguments substantiated with evidence, and the con team argues against the view presenting contrary evidence to convince the opponent and the audience members that their position is logically sound. It is important to keep in mind that a debate is not a panel discussion where all the panelists participate in a forum speaking on a controversial topic while questioning and answering each other. Unlike a panel discussion whose primary purpose is to have an open dialogue with those who may have differing points of view without wining or losing the contest, a debate is highly structured in that time is kept by a moderator, and there are audience members who watch the debate closely, ask questions of the debaters, and declare a winning team using evaluation criteria. Because the debaters have a limited amount of time to present their viewpoints, raise pertinent questions, and provide answers to the opposing team, they have to listen to the opponents attentively, think quickly, and use precise language to get their message across to the audience members clearly.

Why it is Necessary to Participate in a Debate
It is common in colleges and universities in the US to have a public speaking component built into content courses. Debates, therefore, are crucially important as they give students the opportunity to improve their presentation, argumentation, and critical thinking skills. Regardless of which college or university students are pursuing their academic careers in, they will most likely be asked to participate in a public speaking activity. Participating in a debate presents them with a challenging presentation task as it requires taking a firm position on a controversial topic and convincing the audience that their position is resoundingly coherent and logical. Debating gives you an excellent opportunity to improve your speaking and presentation skills. It is worth noting that in order to prepare for the debate you will need to do a fair amount of reading to list your strongest points and find good, supporting examples to buttress your main argument. Furthermore, effective debaters cite evidence from secondary sources to lend credibility to their claims. Make use of the chapter readings and Internet sources to substantiate your claims with fact, and be sure to acknowledge your sources as you defend your position. 

How a Debate is Structured
As mentioned previously, two opposing teams participate in a debate. The Pro team defends the controversial proposition, and the Con team challenges it. There are usually at least two members in each of the teams supporting or opposing the topic. The Pro team and the Con team sit at a table facing each other. The moderator sits between the two teams and keeps time as the debaters present their points of view. Each of the debaters has three (3) minutes to introduce the thesis statement, provide supporting examples to substantiate the position, and make a concluding statement restating the thesis. Usually it is the Con team that challenges the controversial topic first so that the Pro team can defend its position accordingly. After the debaters have finished presenting their positions in the allotted three (3) minutes, the moderator gives them an opportunity to ask questions of each other. Each debater is allowed to ask only one question. Finally, the moderator opens it up to the audience members who ask the debaters questions about their main arguments and supporting evidence. 
The debate format is summarized below:

Debate Format
  1. Choosing a topic and pairing up with a partner
Brainstorm controversial topics for the debate with your peers and instructor. For each debate, you will need at least five participants, two debaters in the Pro Team, two debaters in the Con Team, and one moderator. Your instructor may choose to moderate the debate, or you may decide to be a moderator for one of the debates. Once four students express an interest in debating a particular topic, ask one of your peers to be the moderator and spend at least 30 minutes discussing your viewpoints. Depending on your stance on the contentious issue, you may be in the Pro Team or the Con Team. Use Form 1 (see below) to list your main arguments, to anticipate your opponents’ main arguments, to predict the questions they might ask you, and to formulate questions you will ask of your opponents. Allow yourselves at least one (1) week to do research on the topic and cite secondary sources such as the reading selections in this chapter, a leading newspaper, a peer-reviewed journal, a website, or a book written by an expert. You may wish to write your speech and practice presenting your position with your partner, if possible, several times to exude confidence and competence.

  1. Moderator Introduction
The moderator is usually at the head of the table, facing the audience members, with the Con Team to his right and the Pro Team to his left. The moderator begins the debate as follows:
a.     Greets and welcomes the audience members (Good morning, good afternoon, etc.)
b.    Introduces the controversial topic (Today we are here to discuss a topic that has stirred…
c.     Introduces the debaters in the Pro Team and the Con Team (to my right is Mr. Hernandez…)
d.    Invites a member of the Con Team to present (I will now ask Ms. Berlinger to speak…)

  1. Debate Arguments
The moderator allows each of the debaters only 3 minutes to speak. It should be noted that it is the moderator’s responsibility to enforce the time limits and to ensure that neither the debaters nor the audience members interrupt while the debate is being conducted. Courteous behavior is expected of the debaters and the audience members throughout the debate. First, the moderator invites a member of the Con Team to speak. After the debater has spoken for 3 minutes, introducing the position, giving supporting evidence to strengthen the claim, and concluding by restating the position, the moderator gives the floor to a member of the Pro Team for 3 minutes. After that, the second member of the Con Team is given 3 minutes to speak. Finally, the second member of the Pro Team is invited to present the position. Throughout the debate and the cross-questioning session that follows, the audience members use Form 2 (see below) to take notes.

  1. Cross-Questioning
When all four debaters have given their presentations, the moderator asks a member of the Con Team to ask only one question of the Pro Team. The question is supposed to expose weaknesses in the Pro Team’s argumentation. If the question is not directed toward a particular debater, either of the members of the Pro Team can answer it. The moderator’s responsibility is to ensure that the cross-questioning session does not turn into discussion. The same procedure is repeated with the Pro Team. That is, a member of the Pro Team is allowed to ask only one question of the Con Team. After the question is being answered by the Con Team, a member of the Con Team is given a final opportunity to ask a difficult question. Finally, the Pro Team is accorded the last chance to ask the Con Team a question attacking their stance. In total, four (4) questions are asked and answered. Under no circumstance are the debaters allowed to ask more than four (4) questions. It is, therefore, essential that the debaters ask the toughest question, since it is their only opportunity to attack the opponents.

  1. Question and Answer Session
After the cross-questioning alternating between the Pro Team and the Con Team, the moderator opens the debate up to the audience members who ask both the Pro Team and the Con Team pertinent questions. The question and answer session is guided by the moderator who invites the audience members to ask questions of the two teams in a courteous manner.

  1. Evaluation
The moderator announces the end of the debate. After that, the instructor asks the audience members to rate the debaters using evaluation criteria listed in Form 3 (see below). The audience members, either individually or in pairs or small groups, vote for the Pro Team and the Con Team. The instructor counts the total votes and declares either the Pro Team or the Con Team the winner.

Preparing for the Debate
Use the following worksheet to prepare for the debate with your teammate.

Form 1
Before the debate
Debate Worksheet (for the debaters)

Topic of debate _________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Put a check mark next to your position
I am Pro (defending) _____________        I am Con (challenging) ______________

Your Thesis Statement:
I am in favor of/against the topic because…

Write your strongest arguments here. Cite at least three secondary sources to make your arguments factual
 Argument                                                                      Source
1.      
2.      
3.      
4.      
5.      

Anticipating the opponents’ questions:
Predicting the questions your opponents are likely to ask you about your position will enable you to provide convincing answers. Write down the questions you think your opponents might ask you about your main arguments. Then prepare your counterargument in response to their questions.

Opponent Question 1:

Your response:

Opponent Question 2:

Your response:

Opponent Question 3:

Your response:

Opponent Question 4:

Your response:

Opponent Question 5:

Your response:

Your Opponents’ Thesis Statement:
I am in favor of/against the topic because …
Brainstorm with your teammate, and make a list of your opponents’ main arguments here:

  1.  
  2.  
  3.  
  4.  
  5.   
Questions you will ask your opponents:
Based on your opponents’ questions you listed above, formulate your questions to challenge their position. Keep in mind that your questions should expose weaknesses in your opponents’ main arguments.

Question 1:
Question 2:
Question 3:
Question 4:
Question 5:
Form 2
During the debate
Being an Active Listener (for the audience member)
As the debaters argue back and forth among themselves, your role as an active audience member is to listen to their main arguments attentively and determine whether they are convincing and logically coherent. This is important in that you will decide individually and with your peers, using evaluation criteria, which team presented the strongest arguments and won the debate. Taking notes during the debate will also enable you to ask good, pertinent questions during the question and answer session.

Topic of debate _________________________________________________________


Con Team
Member 1
Main ideas/arguments:
1.      
2.      
3.      
4.      
5.      

Flaws in the arguments, if any:
1.      
2.      
3.      
  
Member 2
Main ideas/arguments::
1.      
2.      
3.      
4.      
5.      

Flaws in the arguments, if any:
1.      
2.      
3.      

Questions asked:
1.      
2.      

Answers given:
1.      
2.      

Weakness in the answers, if any:


Pro Team
Member 1
Main ideas/arguments:
1.      
2.      
3.      
4.      
5.      

Flaws in the arguments, if any:
1.      
2.      
3.      
  
Member 2
Main ideas/ arguments:
1.      
2.      
3.      
4.      
5.   

Flaws in the arguments, if any:
1.      
2.      
3.      

Questions asked:
1.      
2.      

Answers given:
1.      
2.      

Weakness in the answers, if any:

Form 3
After the debate
Evaluation Criteria (for the audience members)
Refer to the notes you took in Form 2 to evaluate the debaters. It is important that you remain objective and declare a winning team even if they challenged a position you support. Similarly, if a team supported a position you oppose but nevertheless presented strong, foolproof arguments and exposed serious flaws in the opponents’ position, do not let your personal views influence your decision and declare the other team the winner because you concur with its position. After all, as an evaluator you are assessing the debaters’ argumentation skills, not the controversial topic itself. It is, therefore, imperative that you adhere to the evaluation criteria below and complete the form objectively.

Topic for debate: ________________________________________________________

Evaluate the two teams on a scale of 1 to 5 using the following criteria.

Weak              Somewhat good          Good            Somewhat strong               Strong
1                               2                            3                              4                                     5

Pro                  Con
  1. Main arguments: The team provided strong,
foolproof arguments to support its position.                  ____                ____

  1. Support: The team presented relevant examples
that strengthened its position.                                           ____                ____

  1. Organization: The team stated its position clearly,
provided good, supporting examples, and made a
concluding statement restating the thesis.                       ____                ____

  1. Questions: The team asked hard, difficult to
answer questions that revealed weaknesses in
the opponents’ argumentation.                                         ____                ____

  1. Answers: The team provided convincing answers
that defeated the counterargument.                                 ____                ____

  1. Physical Delivery: Members of the team used
effective body language to present their
argumentation and made direct eye contact with
the opponents and the audience members, and
showed confidence throughout the debate.                    ____                ____

  1. Active Participation: Members of the team actively
participated in the debate by presenting arguments,
asking pertinent questions, and answering the
opponents’ questions and those of the audience
members.                                                                              ____                ____

                                                            Total Points:
           
            Winning Team:        Pro      Con    (circle one)

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