ALWAYS REMEMBER

Speakers are not born, they

are made.



Speech & Interpersonal
Communication Enhancement
Unit, IIUM
BENEFITS OF
DEBATING
Cultivates quick and multi-
dimensional, logical thinking.
Enhances the ability to develop
reasoned opinions.
Gives a better understanding of the
current events and the world around
us.
Improves self-confidence, speaking
style and command of language.
Enriches your overall leadership
qualities.
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
GOOD DEBATERS
POSSESS
Good knowledge of current issues.
Ability to generate ideas.
Ability to think critically and logically.
Ability to present the ideas
systematically.
Ability to handle culturally diverse and
challenging situations with great ease
and to ones their (own) enjoyment.

DIFFERENT FORMATS OF
DEBATES
Parliamentary & Non-parliamentary
Parliamentary debates allow Points of Information
(POI) while Non-Parliamentary debates do not.
Malaysian Conventional
3 members to a team
Topics given in advance
POIs not allowed
American Parliamentary
2 members to a team
POIs are allowed
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
DIFFERENT FORMATS OF
DEBATES
Royal Malaysian/ Asian
3 members to a team
POIS are allowed.
British Parliamentary (World Debates)
2 member to team and 4 teams in a debate
POIs are allowed

Opening Gov.
Opening Opp. Closing Opp.
Set up in a
British
Parliamentary
Format of
Debate
Closing Gov.
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
A DEBATE IS J UDGED ON
THE BASIS OF:
1. Matter:
What you present (i.e. the
content)
2. Manner:
How you present (i.e. the style)
3. Method:
Organisation/ structure of your
presentation
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
ELEMENTS OF MATTER
1. Definitions:
- Set up of the debate

2. Arguments:
- Must be logical
- Must be relevant

3. Evidences:
- Must be relevant
- Evidential value (strength)

4. Rebuttals:
- Must be logical
- Must be relevant
- Must be prompt


Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
DEFINING A TOPIC
Explain the key-words in the
topic.
Identify what you want to
prove and what is your stand.
This is called the theme of your
team.
If there is a measurement
involved, set up the yardstick
or criteria for such
measurement.

Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
RULES OF
DEFINITION
It must bear a close relation to the motion.
It must not be truistic.
It must not employ time or place setting.
It must not be based on overly specific knowledge
Characteristics of a Proper Definition:
Literal with key-words definition.
Metaphorical definition.
Issue based &/or specified definition (different
from time-place setting).
Kinds of Definitions:
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
You can only challenge a definition if it
violates any of the criteria stated earlier.
Frequently used terms in challenging
definitions are: wholly unreasonable,
squirrel, time-place set, truistic.
You cannot challenge a definition simply
because you have a more reasonable or
better definition.

Grounds for Challenge:
CHALLENGE OF
DEFINITION
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
CHALLENGE OF
DEFINITION
Challenge must come from the leader of the opposition, not
later.
Leader of the opposition must provide an alternative
definition.
In most of the cases, the teams must introduce an 'even if
argument.
An `Even if' argument is not possible in some cases. (e.g.
truistic definition & definition running counter to the
resolution i.e. where govt. has taken the oppositions case).
In a definition debate, all the speakers except the PM argue
the following:
Why challenge?
Validity/ invalidity of the two definitions.
Even if we are to accept the other side's definition, these are the
weaknesses of their case.
Positive case under their own definition.
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
First, identify what you have to prove under the topic.
Then, identify what helps you to prove it. Put them in
the format of an argument or a set of arguments.
Not everything that you know on the subject is
relevant.
Anticipate the questions that may be raised against
your arguments and see if you have good answers to
them.
Block the opportunity for those questions to be raised
by addressing them briefly as you explain the
argument.
Present the arguments in order of their strength.
Avoid empty rhetoric and emotionalism - be rational.
GETTING THE RIGHT
ARGUMENTS
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
ESTABLISHING AN
ARGUMENT
Basic statement
Conclusion/ how it proves
your teams theme
Proofs/ evidences/ examples that factually
establish your basic statement
Logical explanations of why and how
the basic statement stands
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
Do not rebut the example, attack the very premise of
the argument of the other side. Only then contrary
examples can be supplemented.
It is advisable to provide multiple rebuttals to each
argument of the other side.
Rebuttals should also be in conformity with your
case.
Rebut the rebuttals of your case by the other side in
order to defend your case.
EFFECTIVE
REBUTTALS
Attacks
(Rebut the Arguments)
Defence
(Rebut the Rebuttals)
Rebuttals
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
ELEMENTS OF
MANNER/STYLE
Respectable attitude towards the judges
and the other team.
Vocal style: volume, clarity, pace,
intonation etc.
Use of notes: not to read a written text.
Eye contact.
Body language: hand gestures, pacing,
standing etc.
Impression of sincerity.
Humour, wit, appropriate and healthy
sarcasm.

Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
ELEMENTS OF METHOD
- Team structure
- Continuity of teams theme in all the speeches.
- Consistency among all the speakers (no contradictions)
- Reinforcement of team members' arguments
- Clear & logical separation between arguments.
- Individual Structure
- Attractive opening/ outline of the speech.
- Proper organisation & priority of the arguments.
- Organisation of rebuttals.
- Appropriate timing of the speech
- Summary of the speech.
- Responses to the dynamics of the debate
- Right thing at the right time.
- Ability to follow the progression of and changes in the
debate, and to re-act accordingly.
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
MODEL INDIVIDUAL
SPEECH
Definitions/ theme of the team
Presentation of your own arguments
Reiteration and defence of your own teams case
Rebuttals (attacks and defence)
Conclusion (why your teams case
stands and other teams case does not)
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
PROPOSITION/
GOVERNMENT:
TEAMS ROLES: ASIAN/
AUSTRALS
To support the motion
which involves:
Defining the motion,
Constructing a positive
case in favour of the
motion,
Providing substantive
materials and
arguments in support
of the case,
Responding to any
challenges made to
that case by the
Opposition.
OPPOSITION:
To negate the motion which
involves:
Responding to the
Government's definition,
Constructing a case in
opposition to the motion,
Providing substantive
material and arguments in
support of the (opposition)
case,
Responding to the arguments
delivered by the
Government.
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
- Defines
- Builds a positive case to
support the motion
- Responds to the Opp.s case.
TEAM ROLES: BRITISH
PARLIAMENTARY
- Responds to the
governments case
- Builds a case to oppose the
motion
- Supports the Opening Gov.s
case,
- Adds new dimensions,
arguments to further
substantiate the
governments case.
- Responds to the Opp.s case
- Supports the Opening Opp.s
case
- Adds new dimension,
arguments in Opp.s case
- Responds to governments
case
OPENING GOV.
CLOSING GOV. CLOSING OPP.
OPENING OPP.
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
1st Speaker /Prime Minister
Defines the topic.
Gives the case structure and theme.
Presents own arguments.
Provides a summary of his speech. (What I've given u so far..).
2nd Speaker
Rebuts.
Reiterates and defends his first speakers arguments.
Presents own argument.
Provides a summary of his speech.
3rd Speaker
Rebuts substantially.
Reiterates and defends his own team's case.
Provides a summary of his speech.
Reply Speaker
Presents a comparative overview of the clash points in the debate
proving why his teams case stands
PROPOSITION/
GOVERNMENT:
SPEAKERS' ROLES: ASIAN/
AUSTRALS
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
1st Speaker /Opposition Leader
Responds to the definition (i.e. Accepts, Rejects or
Clarifies).
Rebuts the Prime Ministers arguments.
Gives the case structure and theme of his team.
Presents own arguments.
Provides a summary of his speech.
2nd Speaker
Same as the proposition 2nd speaker
3rd Speaker
Same as the proposition 3rd speaker
Reply Speaker
Same as the proposition reply speaker

OPPOSITION:
SPEAKERS' ROLES: ASIAN/
AUSTRALS
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM
POINTS OF INFORMATION
(POIs)
A POI can be in a question or statement form and
should not take more than 15 seconds.
Each speaker should accept at least two POIs.
All three members of the team should try to give POIs,
but they must not be disruptive.
POIs are judged on the basis of:
- the threat they pose to the strength of the argument of
the debater.
- value of its wit and humour.
Responses to the POIs are judged on the basis of:
promptness and confidence in answering.
strength of the response.
value of wit and humour in the response.
Speech & Interpersonal Communication Enhancement Unit, IIUM