THINK TANK: THE DEBATE GAME 3.

Tone - Varying tone is what makes

you sound interesting. Listening
Objectives: to one tone for an entire
presentation is boring.
During and at the end of the game, 4. Volume - Speaking quite loudly is
you are expected to: sometimes a necessity, but it is
by no means necessary to shout
1. Show politeness and through every debate regardless of
assertiveness in sharing your context. There is absolutely no
ideas and points need speak any more loudly than
2. Distinguish facts and opinions the volume at which everyone in
3. Improve speaking and critical the room can comfortably hear
thinking skills. you. Shouting does not win
debates. Speaking too quietly is
Overview on Debate clearly disastrous since no one
will be able to hear you.
What is Debating? 5. Clarity - The ability to concisely
A debate is a structured and clearly express complex issues
argument. Two sides speak alternately is what debating is all
for and against a particular contention about. The main reason people
usually based on a topical begin to sound unclear is usually
issue. Unlike the arguments you might because they lose the “stream of
have with your family or friends thought” which is keeping them
however, each person is allocated a time going. It is also important to
they are allowed to speak for and any keep it simple. While long words
interjections are carefully may make you sound clever, they
controlled. The subject of the dispute may also make you
is often prearranged so you may find incomprehensible.
yourself having to support opinions 6. Use of notes and eye contact -
with which you do not normally Notes are essential, but they must
agree. You also have to argue as part be brief and well organized to be
of a team, being careful not to effective. There is absolutely no
contradict what others on your side have point in trying to speak without
said. notes. Of course, notes should
never become obtrusive and damage
Why debate? your contact with the audience,
It is an excellent way of nor should they ever be read from
improving speaking skills and is verbatim. Most people sketch out
particularly helpful in providing the main headings of their speech,
experience in developing a convincing with brief notes under each.
argument. Those of you who are forced When writing notes for
to argue against your natural point of rebuttal during the debate, it is
view realize that arguments, like usually better to use a separate
coins, always have at least two sides. sheet of paper so you can take
down the details of what the other
The Basic Debating Skills speakers have said and then
1. Style - Style is the manner in transfer a rough outline onto the
notes you will actually be using.
which you communicate your
Eye contact with the
arguments. This is the most basic
audience is very important, but
part of debating to
keep shifting your gaze. No one
master. Content and strategy are
likes to be stared at.
worth little unless you deliver
your material in a confident and
persuasive way.
2. Speed - It is vital to talk at a
pace which is fast enough to sound
intelligent and allow you time to
say what you want, but slow enough
to be easily understood.
 Rules and Guidelines Rule #1
 No personal insults
Think Tank: The Debate Game is composed  No put downs
of 3 rounds:
 No emotional appeals
a. Round 1 – Introduction to
Topic/Initial Argument  You must have a fair share of
- All members of each group will research (Leader must report to
give their own points about the your subject teacher if your
topic for 6 minutes. (1st team members are not cooperating.)
(PRO) – 2nd team(CON) – 3rd team Rule #2
(PRO))  Always provide proofs long with
b. Round 2 – Rebuttal your arguments. Evidence should
- Students will rebut the be in the form of facts. You
opposing team’s should use both facts and
points/argument. opinions in the presentation of
c. Round 3 – Conclusion your argument. You should also
- At the end, once everyone has research the opposing side and
spoken, it is useful to briefly perform a critical analysis to
summarize what your group has decide which facts and opinions
said and why. of the other side will be used
in the rebuttal stage.
Guideline #1  The Leader will send the draft
 You will be grouped into 3, of your Introduction of
having 6 members each. Topic/Initial Argument and
 Select a team leader Rebuttal in Essay form in
[email protected]
 Plan and discuss arguments
m or pass the printed document
 Decide on important points you by April 10, Saturday for
want to cover first correction, suggestions and
 Try to conjecture or guess what comments.
the opposing team’s arguments
will be. For better understanding on how Debate
Guideline #2 works, read watch the following links:
 First team will be given 6  https://noisyclassroom.com/ora
minutes to speak for the topic cy-ideas/five-steps-for-
statement and give their preparing-a-debate-with-a-
opening speech, giving each class/
member at least 1-minute time  https://classroom.synonym.com/
limit. Opposing teams will give conduct-debate-fifth-grade-
a 1-minute rebuttal speech 8684271.html
(each member) opposing the
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?
topic statement.
v=6_4cu1xf9gM
Guideline #3
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?
 Each student will have to speak
v=Wy1Dd6lQtog
for or against in 1-minute time
limit. In every end of round,
you are given a 5-minute break
to use the chat box to send a
direct message to your
teammates to work on your
arguments.
Guideline #4
 If you wish to speak or rebut,
raise your hand.
Guideline #5
 Tecahers will pick the side
that wins based on how well the
speakers voice their opinions,
how convincing their arguments
and how they knew their topic
well.