Step 1: Choose a topic for your debate. Brainstorm with your peers and teacher to decide on a topic. Step 2: Prepare for your debates. a) Determine who will be the moderator, who w... Step 1: Choose a topic for your debate. Brainstorm with your peers and teacher to decide on a topic. Step 2: Prepare for your debates. a) Determine who will be the moderator, who will be the affirmative, and who will be the negative. Keep in mind that debaters often argue for positions they do not personally support. b) Gather your own ideas about your topic. c) Conduct research to gather evidence that supports your ideas. d) Keep notes as you prepare so you can access your ideas and supporting evidence during the debate. Step 3: Engage in a debate. a) Ask your teacher for guidance about how long to spend on each section of the debate. Keep track of time to make sure both participants have time to speak. b) The affirmative side should begin by making a claim in which the position is explained. Remember to support ideas with evidence. Then, the negative will ask questions and then make a claim. Take notes to remember issues you want to address later in the debate. c) The affirmative should then ask questions and present a rebuttal that will highlight possible weaknesses in the negative’s argument. d) The negative should then present a rebuttal that will highlight poss
Understand the Problem
The text outlines the steps and guidelines for preparing and engaging in a debate, including topic selection, role assignment, research, and conduct during the debate.
Answer
Engage in debate by selecting a topic, preparing with roles and evidence, and following structured debating procedures.
To engage in a formal debate, students should choose a topic, prepare by assigning roles and gathering evidence, and then participate actively by following timing rules and presenting structured arguments and rebuttals.
Answer for screen readers
To engage in a formal debate, students should choose a topic, prepare by assigning roles and gathering evidence, and then participate actively by following timing rules and presenting structured arguments and rebuttals.
More Information
Debates are an effective way to enhance critical thinking and public speaking skills. They often require participants to explore both sides of an issue, sometimes taking positions they don't personally agree with, which fosters open-mindedness.
Tips
A common mistake is failing to prepare sufficiently, which includes not gathering enough evidence or not practicing the timing of arguments and rebuttals.
Sources
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