Deep diving into definitions

Watch the video Writing a definition for a debate – review with Tony Davey to see if your responses were correct.

Scenario 1: Adapting your arguments

You are in a debate. The topic is ‘That kids should only access technology for educational purposes’.

You are the first speaker on the negative team. The affirmative team’s definition is a bit different from what you expected.

Your task, using the worksheet (below):

• Compare the definitions of each team.

• Review the arguments that you were going to make as 1^st negative.

• Adapt your arguments so they will still work with the affirmative team’s definition. Make sure you use PEEL to help structure your arguments, see Creative Class – Crafting persuasive arguments.

The definition may also be different from what you expected because the scope is either too big or too small.

Watch the video If the definition is too big or too small to learn how you can explain the flaws in a definition.

Scenario 2: Explaining flaws in the definition

You are in the same debate as the previous scenario: ‘That kids should only access technology for educational purposes’ (negative team).

You have already modified your arguments so they suit the affirmative’s definition. Now, you are also going to explain how their definition is limiting.

Your task, using the worksheet (below):

• Review the definitions of each team.

• Highlight where the affirmative team’s definition is ‘too small’ or limiting.

• Explain the flaws in the affirmative team’s definition using rebuttal, see Creative Class – That's debatable!

Remember – if the model is too small it means that either:

• the problem mustn’t be that bad and therefore doesn’t need fixing, or

• the problem won’t be fixed because the change isn’t big enough.

Occasionally, the affirmative team will leave important details out of their definition.

Watch the video If the definition lacks detail to learn how you can complete the definition in a way that is to your advantage.

Scenario 3: Completing the definition

You are the first speaker on the negative team. The topic is ‘That all kids should be paid for doing chores’. The affirmative team has given a definition that leaves out some important details.

Your task, using the worksheet (below):

• List 3 possible arguments for the negative team.

• Review the definition given by the affirmative.

• Identify which details are missing.

• Complete the definition by adding in any missing information. Make sure that whatever you add in will support your team’s arguments.

In your debating journal, summarise the 3 things you can do if you are on the negative team and the definition was not what you expected.

Watch this short video Conclusion about definitions from Tony Davey to end the lesson.

Conclusion about definitions