Debate

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Questions and Answers

What is an example of circular reasoning?

If we allow students to have cell phones, the education system will collapse.

Everyone from that country must be rude.

The Bible is true because it is the word of God. (correct)

Dr. Smith says that coffee is bad for you.

Which type of fallacy is demonstrated by the statement, 'Either we ban all cars or pollution will destroy the planet'?

Hasty Generalization

False Dilemma (correct)

Appeal to Emotion

Slippery Slope

Which of the following is NOT a skill needed in debate?

Writing

Cooking (correct)

Reading

Listening

What fallacy involves drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence?

Hasty Generalization Signup and view all the answers

Which form of debate is primarily focused on philosophical values?

Lincoln-Douglas Debate Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an appeal to authority?

Dr. Smith says that coffee is bad for you. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes an appeal to emotion?

If you care about the environment, you'll support this policy. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following skills involves understanding and analyzing arguments made by others?

Listening Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered the 'Father of Debate' in Ancient Greece?

Protagoras of Abdera Signup and view all the answers

What format of debate was introduced to the Filipinos by the Americans?

Oregon-Oxford format Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components is NOT part of Corax of Sicily's four-part debate speech structure?

Counterargument Signup and view all the answers

What significant event in debate history occurred between Cambridge and Oxford in the early 1400s?

First recorded intercollegiate debate Signup and view all the answers

Which historical figure is known for their celebrated debates in 1858?

Abraham Lincoln Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the University of the Philippines debating team's tour in 1928?

They won every debate Signup and view all the answers

What is Balagtasan, as mentioned in the context of Philippine debate?

An impromptu speech competition with rhyming verses Signup and view all the answers

What genre of debating did the Lincoln-Douglas debates inspire?

Modern debating styles commonly seen in elections Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a debate?

To persuade the audience or decision-makers Signup and view all the answers

What does a rebuttal involve in the context of a debate?

Refuting an opponent's arguments with counterarguments Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an ad hominem fallacy?

Attacking the character of the opponent instead of their argument Signup and view all the answers

In a debate, what is meant by the term 'cross-examination'?

Questioning an opponent's arguments to expose weaknesses Signup and view all the answers

What is a case or constructive in a debate?

A set of arguments supporting either affirmation or negation of the resolution Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of the straw man fallacy?

Misrepresenting or exaggerating an opponent's argument Signup and view all the answers

What is interpellation in the context of a debate?

Asking questions to disrupt an opponent's presentation Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements exemplifies an ad populum fallacy?

Many people believe climate change is a myth, so it must not be true. Signup and view all the answers

What defines the structure of a rebuttal type of debate?

Each team has two or three members, and teamwork is emphasized. Signup and view all the answers

In a one-rebuttal debate, who is allowed to close the debate with a rebuttal?

The first affirmative speaker Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of the Oregon-Oxford type of debate?

Interpellation follows each main speech. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements is incorrect about the rebuttal type of debate?

Teamwork is not essential in this debate format. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best summarizes a common error made by debaters in the Oregon-Oxford type of debate?

Debaters tend to make speeches instead of asking direct questions. Signup and view all the answers

How is the first affirmative's role different in a one-rebuttal debate compared to other debate types?

They have the opportunity to close the debate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct sequence of speeches in an Oregon-Oxford debate?

First affirmative, first negative, second negative, second affirmative. Signup and view all the answers

In a rebuttal type of debate, how many rebuttals does each speaker deliver?

Each speaker delivers one rebuttal. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

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