• To save energy, stores should not be allowed to be open between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
  • Driving permits should not be issued until age 15.
  • Roller blades should not be allowed on city streets.
  • All bicycle riders must wear helmets.
  • To save energy, students who live within one mile of school should not be allowed to drive a car to school.

Easy

That homework should be banned.

That school uniforms are good for us.

That television is too violent.

That television does more harm than good.

That terrorism can be justified.

That the car is a luxury we can do without.

That all our woes have come from science.

That people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Junior

That the Olympics are a five-ring circus.

That spectator sports are a waste of time.

That organised team sport is legalised violence.

That we should be vegetarians.

That the comics are the best part of the newspaper.

That it is better to plant a cabbage than a rose.

That it is better to travel hopefully than to arrive.

That the punishment should fit the criminal.

That computer games do more harm than good.

That we are slaves to conformity.

That commercials are the best part of TV.

That the media promote a selfish society.

That cigarette advertising should be banned.

That the car must go.

Mid-range

That sport would be better without sponsors.

That it is better to be feared than to be loved.

That honesty is better than sympathy.

That one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.

That we place too much faith in the medical profession.

That the worst drugs are already legal.

That print is a dying medium.

That we should not test drugs on animals.

That there is no such thing as a just war.

That Schwarzenegger is more relevant than Shakespeare.

That it doesn't matter how well it works, so long as it looks good.

That we would give democracy a chance.

That nuclear weapons kept the peace through the Cold War.

That we should seize the day.

That nuclear power will be our saviour.

That energy-saving is a waste of money.

That genetic engineering is the hope of the future.

That now is the best chance for peace.

That tomorrow is a better day.

Hard

That the coyote should be allowed to catch the road runner.

That the rich are very different from ourselves.

That now is the age of reconciliation.

That where there's a will, there's a way.

That there is more poetry in motion than in Milton.

That the only good poet is a dead poet.

That a poet is worth a thousand scientists.

That the North should pay to protect the world's environment.

That we would rage against the dying of the light.

That we are a musical nation.

That we have a duty to be provocative.

That progress is hindered by tradition.

That the big bust is coming.

That our generation has no future.

That an unemployment check is better than a lousy job.

Debate Etiquette

  • Introductions should precede the debate
  • Each speech should contain an opening analysis which relates to the statements made by the preceding speaker. It is important to make references to what your opponent has said.
  • The debater should not offer emotional appeals. H/she should concentrate on the evidence.
  • The debater should never falsify, create or distort evidence.
  • The debater should never publicly disagree with the decision of the judge or the audience.
  • Winners need to be congratulated by the opposition.
  • Debaters address their remarks to the judge or audience, not to the opposing side. It is important to give the audience eye contact.
  • Debaters should avoid swaying, shuffling, and pacing.

During the process of debating, it is important to know at a glance what has been presented, attacked, and successfully defended. An Audience Debate Flow Sheet (Appendix C) offers the debater a note system with which to keep track of information presented during the debate.

Debator's Lingo
Refer to the opposite side as "my opponent".
Use phrases like "There are three main points that prove the affirmative..."
In the rebuttal, say...."My opponent said..., however,... "

What Happens When Your Nerves Take Over:

Vocal pauses, shaking limbs, dry mouth, voice volume too soft or loud, rate of speaking too fast or slow, shifty eye contact, monotone delivery, slouched poise, awkward gestures, body swaying

*Some of you are already perfectly comfortable speaking in front of the class, while others aren’t. To ease the nerves of our more reserved peers, we’re going to practice speaking extemporaneously (off the cuff/spur of the moment) in front of small groups and then the larger class.

Choose two of the following concrete words and one abstract to describe to your group. Take turns (one speaker at a time) speaking and listening to each other, and offer constructive feedback (compliments AND things to improve).

Words to Describe/Discuss:

Concrete:

Christmas tree

Snow

Computer

Your favorite shirt

A shoe

Car

Dog

Pencil

Sandwich

President Obama

Bill Gates

Rosa Parks

Bell

Guitar

Your favorite dessert

A ball

Rubber duck

Sesame Street Muppets

A book

A movie theater

Broom

DVD

Chair

Abstract:

Sorrow

Happiness

Loss

Love

Fear

Longing/desire

Capitalism

Hope

Laughter

Friendship

Anger

Pity

Sympathy