Debate

What is Debate?

• Debate is the art of formal oral controversy.

Historical Origins of Debate

• Protagoras of Abdera: Known as the "Father of Debate" in Ancient Greece, he posed themes for his disciples to argue and debate.
• Corax of Sicily (5th century BC): A debater-rhetorician who provided a framework for debating speeches, dividing them into four parts: Introduction, Narration, Proof/Discussion, and Conclusion.
• Marcus Tullius Cicero: One of the greatest Roman orators and debaters who flourished during the first century.
• Intercollegiate Debate (early 1400s): First recorded intercollegiate debate between Cambridge and Oxford. Oxford has the oldest and most respected international debate society, known as the Oxford Union Society.
• Lincoln-Douglas Debates (1858): Debates for an Illinois Senate seat between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, notable for their rhetorical skill and precision; these debates influenced modern debating.
• Harvard-Yale Debate Match (1892): Marked the beginning of debating in the United States.
• Philippine Debate: Filipinos were exposed to forensic debating (Oregon-Oxford format) by the Americans in the 1950s and '60s. Before WWII, Filipino debaters competed abroad.
• University of the Philippines Debate Team (1928): A team of Filipino students, coached by Prof. Carlos P. Romulo, toured the US and advocated for Philippine independence.

Balagtasan

• This is a unique early Philippine type of debate. Speeches are impromptu, with the verses needing to rhyme.

What is Debate? (Another definition)

• A debate is a formal and organized disagreement where participants discuss a topic from two opposing sides.

Two Sides

• Proposition (affirmative): The side in agreement with the resolution.
• Opposition (negative): The side disagreeing with the resolution.

The Value of Debate

• The purpose of a debate is to persuade the audience or decision-makers to accept a particular viewpoint or course of action. It involves a systematic exchange of reasoned arguments, frequently following a set format and rules.

Benefits of Debating

• Debating sharpens critical thinking skills.
• Debating improves public speaking abilities.
• Debating boosts self-confidence and teamwork.

Some Debate Terminologies

• Resolution/Motion/Proposition: The statement or proposal being debated.
• Case/Constructive: A set of reasons, supporting facts, and arguments to affirm or negate the resolution.
• Cross-Examination: Questioning an opponent's argument, evidence, or statements to challenge or clarify inconsistencies.
• Interpellation: Interrupting an opponent during their speech to challenge arguments or seek clarification (also called Point of Interruption).
• Rebuttal: Responding to opponent arguments with counterarguments after the opponent's case has been presented.
• Fallacy: A statement or argument based on a false or invalid inference.

Common Types of Fallacy

• Ad populum: Claiming something is true because of popular belief.
• Ad hominem: Attacking the person making the argument rather than addressing the argument itself.
• Straw man: Misrepresenting or exaggerating an opponent's argument to make it easier to refute.
• Circular reasoning: Using the conclusion of an argument as a premise.
• Appeal to Authority: Claiming something is true because an authority figure or expert says so.
• False Dilemma: Presenting only two options when there are more.
• Slippery Slope: Suggesting a small event will inevitably lead to extreme consequences without sufficient evidence.
• Hasty Generalization: Drawing a conclusion based on insufficient evidence or a small sample size.
• Appeal to Emotion: Using emotional manipulation to persuade instead of logic.

Skills Needed in Debate

• Reading, writing, speaking, and listening (critical for building arguments and refuting opposing claims).

Speaking Skills in Debate

• Articulate thoughts effectively.
• Pronounce words clearly.
• Use appropriate speaking rate and volume.
• Speak using correct grammar.
• Maintain poise and use non-verbal cues like gestures and posture.

Reading Skills in Debate

• Enhances knowledge and understanding.

Writing and Listening Skills in Debate

• Necessary for building on teammates' arguments and refuting claims of the opposing team.

Types of Debate

• 1. The Lincoln-Douglas Debate: A values debate, one-on-one, heavily based on philosophy. Focuses on justice, morality, autonomy, and societal welfare as core concepts.
• 2. The Rebuttal Debate: Used by two- or three-person teams; the affirmative team starts with constructive speeches, followed by the negative making rebuttal speeches. Teamwork is key.
• 3. The One-Rebuttal Debate: Modified form of the Lincoln-Douglas debate. All participants except the first affirmative get a chance to rebuttal; the first affirmative gets a chance to close with a rebuttal.
• 4. The Oregon-Oxford Debate: Also known as the cross-question debate, typically involves two or three speakers on each side. The first affirmative presents the entire affirmative case, is cross-examined, the first negative responds. The second negative then presents the entire negative case. The debate includes multiple turns for inter-team questioning and rebuttal.

Additional Notes

• A debate is not just about winning or losing, but engaging in constructive conversations.