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INTRODUCTION TO DEBATE-
BEGINNERS MANUAL
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Lesson 1: What is debate?

A debate is a structured argument where two sides speak alternately for and against a particular
contention usually based on a topical issue.
Logical consistency, factual accuracy and some degree of emotional appeal to the audience are
elements in debating

To define debate, it is just as important to state what it is not as it is to state what it is.
Debate is not having rude comebacks, making your points more loudly or angrily

Rationality is what sets us apart from beasts. This is essentially the ability to be persuaded by
arguments which we do when we tell people to do or believe something

Activity: Give an example of an instance where you tried to convince someone of something.

Types of Debate

There are multiple types of debate including

● Policy Debate In this type of debate, you have teams of 2. The topic for this type will
consist of a current national question, and will be debated through constructive argument,
cross-examination, and refutation. Each team will argue both sides of the topic.
● Lincoln-Douglas ~ This is a very popular type of debate, with one person per team. The
focus of Lincoln-Douglas is values. A Lincoln-Douglas debater will develop
argumentation skills such as value analysis, sound and ethical uses of persuasion, and
how to clearly communicate to an audience. Several topics are covered throughout the
year.
● Public Forum ~ This type of debate is known as the "audience friendly debate." The
topics consist of controversial issues, such as those found in newspaper articles. Public
forum debaters will learn and use skills such as argumentation, cross-examination, and
refutation. Each month a new topic will be debated.
● World Schools Debate is a dynamic format combining “prepared” topics with
“impromptu” topics, encouraging debaters to focus on specific issues rather than debate
theory or procedural arguments. This highly interactive style of debate allows debaters to
engage each other, even during speeches. This challenging format requires good
teamwork and in-depth quality argumentation

What’s the Point? Why Debate?

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Debates is a means through which we understand why things are. Debate will teach you to think
through things and hopefully come to the same conclusion as what the current right within
society is and/or otherwise be able to articulate a case against the status quo in a way that brings
about meaningful change. Debating is an important step toward a better society because it puts us
in a position where we are constantly checking and challenging the norm.

Structure of Debate and Debate Etiquette

The WSD format involves two 3-person teams debating one motion. One side affirms the
motion and is called the Proposition. The other side negates the motion and is called the
Opposition. Each speaker will deliver one speech during the debate. Speakers will alternate
from either side, with the first speech of the debate being from the Proposition. A key aspect is
that all debaters will have the same speech time. The generic speech time is that of 5-minutes.
This means that if one would have a debate with a 5-minute speech time, then the debate would
be 30 minutes long.

For these six speeches Points Of Information(POIs) are allowed during judge-designated times.

Point of Information - A question or a comment that is argumentative in nature posed only by

the opposing side, with reference to the speaker. It should be about 15 seconds in length.

Per convention, after the first and before the last minute of speech time. A signal (e.g. a bell
sound, placard, bang of the table, e.t.c.) must notify speakers of the start and end of said POI
time. The time POIs are not allowed is referred to as Protected time, as for the time POIs are
allowed is referred to as Unprotected time.

POIs are to be accepted or denied by the debater currently speaking…..

Once all six speeches are over, and after a 1 minute preparation time (judge-determined), the
debate concludes with what is called a Reply Speech, with the Opposition going first followed
by the Proposition. The reply speech can only be delivered by the first two speakers of either
side. Per convention, the reply speech is 3 minutes long and is around half of the normal speech
time. The entirety of this speech is protected time.

Etiquette:

POIs: Tone, Voice, Keeping time, Spreading POIs across entire team,
During Speeches: No interruptions, No distractions, Snapping Fingers, No exterior help, No
accessing internet.
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Affirmative and Negative roles

The sides of any debate always represent two antagonistic opinions on a certain topic. These are
called the Affirmative and Negative sides. The Affirmative side agrees with the topic/motion,
while the Negative side disagrees with the Affirmative.

An issue is intrinsically multifaceted. One can look at the plague of Poverty in the world and
come up with the following claim:
‘Lack of access to healthcare is the biggest problem with poverty.’
One could equally state that”
‘Lack of access to clean water is the biggest problem with poverty.’
Furthermore one could say:
‘Lack of access to healthcare and clean water are evenly matched, but what really tops it
off is lack of food.’

There are always different ways of looking at a certain issue, hence numerous ways of
disagreeing on one. This variety of approaches to a single issue is exactly what makes
debates so interesting, informative and particularly challenging. In order for such debates
to take place each of the sides need to fulfill their respective roles.

The Affirmative side affirms the motion and therefore brings forth a case that supports whatever
the motion puts forth. This side ‘sets the tone of the debate’ or defines the motion. This means
that the direction the debate will take is given by the Affirmative side.

The Negative side negates the Affirmative and has the main aim to discredit the Affirmative case
and prove why their arguments make more sense

Speaker roles

Proposition Opposition

1st /Opening 1st/Opening

1) Set up a good debate. In other words, 1) Address proposition framework (did
clearly define the motion and fairly the proposition set up the debate
divide ground. properly)
2) Lay the foundations of the proposition 2) Clash with 1st proposition arguments,
case present 1st opposition substantive
Example Outline: arguments
1. Introduction - define the terms of 3) Can introduce a counter plan, and
debate must be mutually
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2. Preview proposition points (your exclusive/competitive (Policy debate)

points and that of the next speaker(s)) Example Outline:
3. Articulate Plan (Policy debate) 1. Introduction & Preview opposition
4. Present proposition arguments points
5. Conclusion 2. Counter plan (Policy)
3. Rebut/Refute proposition substantives
4. Present opposition substantives
5. Conclusion

2nd /Rebuttal 2nd /Rebuttal

1) Respond to Opening Opposition 1) Defend Opening Opposition case
arguments 2) Respond to Proposition Rebuttal’s
2) Defend Opening Proposition case defence
3) Extend Proposition case (new 3) Extend Opposition case (new
arguments for the Motion’s arguments for rejection of the Motion)
affirmation)

3rd /Summary 3rd /Summary

1) Respond to any Opposition Rebuttal 1) Respond to any Proposition Rebuttal
extensions extensions
2) Summarize debate so as to cover all 2) Summarize debate so as to cover all
main points of the Proposition & main points of Proposition &
Opposition Opposition (less room for new
3) Framing: arguments)
● Clash and Impacts- 3) Framing:
Relationship between ● Clash and Impacts-
arguments of both sides, Relationship between
and/or; arguments of both sides,
● Relevance or Topical and/or;
examples- Relationship of ● Relevance or Topical
arguments to the motion, examples- Relationship of
and/or; arguments to the motion,
● Prioritizing Principles and/or;
● Prioritizing Principles

4th /Reply(conventionally done by the first or 4th /Reply (conventionally done by the first or
second speaker of the team) second speaker of the team)
1) Identify themes in the arguments that 4) Identify themes in the arguments that
distill the debate distill the debate
2) Highlight points of clash on which the 5) Highlight points of clash on which the
debate hinges, and provide impact debate hinges, and provide impact
analysis. analysis.
3) Articulate the narrative of how their 6) Articulate the narrative of how their
side has won the debate side has won the debate
Motions
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Checklist

1) What is a motion
2) Types of motions
3) Defining a motion/ debate set up

What is a Motion?
A motion is the topic of discussion in the debate. It is to be interpreted by the debaters but
is centrally themed with particular word choices aimed at indicating where the debate should go.

Motion can be split into three major types

Evaluative motions/ Debate of fact: refer to motions where the teams make a judgment on the

subject of the motion. For some motions, the teams make a general evaluation of whether a

particular entity is good or bad. These motions could be phrased as “This house supports the

Monarchy, This house believes that the Media has done more harm than good. In these

circumstances, the teams will have to consider the various traits and characteristics of the subject

(the Monarchy, Media, etc) to show that their impact have been generally good or bad for

society.

Comparative Motions/ Debate of value: refer to motions where debaters are required to

compare two separate subjects. Usually, the debaters will be asked to choose between two

separate subjects, assuming that both cannot be chosen at the same time. In these cases, the

teams will have to evaluate both subjects according to the same set of criteria and make a

judgement on which one will be better for society. For example, for the motion “This house

would rather economic development than environmental protection,” the Proposition team has to

highlight how economic development is needed to relieve poverty in the developing world while

the Opposition team may argue that environmental protection creates more poverty.

Policy motions refer to motions where the Proposition has to outline a specific plan of action in
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accordance with the motion. There is usually no need to outline the plan in minute detail and a

broad set of policy measures will be sufficient. These motions require propositions to show that

the policy is needed and that the policy is effective. The Opposition will usually be able to attack

the motion and the Proposition on either ground. However, it is usually better for the opposition

to be able to show that the policy is both not needed and not effective.

Special Motions: Debaters should take note of certain motions, which are called “Big Red Ball”

motions. These motions require the Proposition team to prove multiple elements within a motion

and are generally tougher on the Proposition team. They are named “Big Red Ball” since the

Proposition has to prove that the ball is both big and red. One such motion will be “This house

would control population through legislation in China.” The Proposition has to prove that

a) the population has to be controlled,

b) b. the control has to be through legislation and

c) c. that the policy should be implemented in China.

The Opposition has the option of attacking any of the above three facets. It may also decide to

attack ALL three facets but has to be careful that it does not contradict itself in doing so.

A single motion can, and often is, more than one of these three kinds of motions.

Types of Motion Prefixes:

● This House Would (THW): This shows a motion that focuses on action that is meant to
move away from the status-quo. The question this kind of motion poses is “Should X be
done?”. Always identifies a policy debate.

Status-quo : The current situation or state of affairs in a given context.

Example: This house would allocate a part of the government’s budget to health research
initiatives.

● This House Prefers (THP): This emphasizes a comparison, which entails a discussion
on evaluating metrics. The question this kind of motion poses is “Why would one prefer
X over Y?”. Always identifies a value debate.
Example: This house prefers the use of machine learning programs instead of in-person
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teaching in primary education.

● This House Believes That (THBT): This implies the defense of an ideal or principle.
This phrasing could serve both value, and policy debates.
Example: This house believes that tourism is the best way for Rwanda to make revenue.

● This House Supports/Regrets (THS/THR): This leads to an evaluation of something

that existed or exists with praise or disapproval. This phrasing mostly introduces a debate
of fact.
Example: THR the introduction of robots in Rwanda’s healthcare system.

Activity 1:

Match the Following motions to their respective types:

Motions Types
THW defund the police in communities Purely Fact
THP investments over savings Purely Value
THS the ‘Made in Rwanda’ initiative Value and Fact
THW invest in the sports sector Policy, Value and Fact
THBT investments in the education sector do Purely Policy
more harm than good

Activity 2:

Come up with 5 motions, using a variety of prefixes. They should follow the following criteria:

1. Should be purely a Policy Motion.

2. Should be purely a Value Motion
3. Should be purely a Motion of Fact
4. Should be both a Motion of Fact and Value
5. Should be a Motion that could encompass all three types.