The Arts Unit Creative Teachers

The basics of debating

Videos: The videos below are from various Art Bites and Creative Classes. Lessons on each topic can be found in the coaching debating section of this resource.

What is debating?

Debating is a structured discussion between two opposing teams. The team deemed to have the most persuasive case wins the debate.

How does it work?

Teams are given a topic. One team is allocated to the affirmative team, which must agree with the topic. The other becomes the negative team, which must disagree with the topic. The team that presents the most persuasive case is the winner. An adjudicator listens to the debate, weighs each side's case, and decides the winner.

In NSW school competitions, there are 4 people per team, each with their own specific role. You can learn more about these roles below.

Debate guidelines and structure

To ensure consistency, aid success and support student learning, we encourage students to follow common debating guidelines. You can learn about these below.

For detailed information about debating and public speaking, you may like to read the comprehensive document Taking the Initiative (PDF 720 KB).

The 3 M's of debating and the role of each speaker

The 3 Ms of debating

Manner: what you look and sound like (eg. volume and eye contact).
Matter: what you say (eg. your arguments and rebuttals).
Method: how you structure your ideas (eg. the roles of each speaker).

The most important element of debating is matter. It might be that a student doesn't maintain eye contact throughout their speech, or they mix-up their structure, but these are unlikely to change the decision of the debate. Adjudicators are instead looking to credit the material that teams present and consider this when deciding the debate.

The role of each speaker

In NSW public school debates, there are 4 members on each team. Each member has a different role in the debate.

Watch the video to learn about different speaker roles, then visit the coaching resources section of this website to view speaker templates and activities.

The basic rules of a debate and the role of each speaker

Duration: 13:00

Note: This video is from a lesson called Roles and rules of debating, which you can complete with your students.

Video full screen: The basic rules of a debate and the role of each speaker

Video transcript: The basic rules of a debate and the role of each speaker

Developing speaking skills

Manner

Keep in mind that the most important element of debating is 'matter', or the content of the debate. The main focus of training should be learning to develop persuasive arguments and rebuttals.

That said, it is also important that students begin to feel comfortable and confident speaking in front of an audience. This generally improves with experience. You might like to start your training sessions with a warm-up activity that encourages students to practise their speaking skills.

Tips for improving manner

Duration: 14:38

Note: This video is from a lesson called Best manners, which includes a number of activities that you can try with your students.

Video full screen: Tips for improving your manner
Video transcript: Tips for improving your manner

Defining the topic

Context and definitions

The first affirmative speaker gives the definition in the debate and the first negative speaker will generally agree with the definition given. The first affirmative speaker also gives 'context', which introduces or opens the debate.

Giving context and defining the topic in a primary school debate

Duration: 02:38

Note: This video is part of a step-by-step lesson called Discovering definitions.

Video full screen: Giving context and defining the topic in a primary school debate
Video transcript: Giving context and defining the topic in a primary school debate

Definitions in debating

It is important that students learn how to define the topic in a debate. It is not a dictionary definition.

In debating, the definition sets the parameters for the discussion to come, and it's the affirmative team's right to set up the debate by deciding the definition. The negative should only present their own definition in a few key instances, like when the affirmative team don't offer a definition or try to lock the negative team out of the debate with a definition that is too narrow and unfair.

Students need to consider:

Where is the change taking place?
What are the details of the change?
When will this change be happening?

Defining a primary school debating topic – Hugh Bartley

Duration: 7:05

Topic: 'That every class should adopt a dog or a cat as class pet'.

Note: This video is from the Art Bites series called Defining a primary school debating topic. In this series of videos, experienced debaters demonstrate how to define a primary school debating topic.

It is also part of a step-by-step lesson called Discovering definitions.

Video full screen: Defining a primary school debating topic – Hugh Bartley
Video transcript: Defining a primary school debating topic – Hugh Bartley

Writing arguments

PEEL

There are lots of ways students can approach writing arguments, but one of the most simple strategies to teach is PEEL.

PEEL stands for:

Point
Explain
Example
Link.

PEEL helps students elaborate with structure and confidence. It also helps when presenting an impromptu argument.

Using PEEL to write an argument for a debate

Duration: 10:59

Note: This video is from a step-by-step lesson called Crafting persuasive arguments.

Video full screen: Using PEEL to write an argument for a debate
Video transcript: Using PEEL to write an argument for a debate

Writing rebuttal

How to write a rebuttal

A debate cannot be won on arguments alone. It is important that students present their own material, as well as engaging with the other team's case and rebutting their points.

There is no one correct way to write a rebuttal, but this structure is easy to remember and is effective for beginning debaters.

The other team's idea was...
We have two reasons why that's wrong...
Firstly...
Secondly...

How to write fantastic rebuttal in a primary debate

Duration: 10:36

Note: This video is from a step-by-step lesson called That's debatable!

Video full screen: How to write a fantastic rebuttal in a primary debate
Video transcript: How to write a fantastic rebuttal in a primary debate

Preparing for a debate

Debate preparation

A lot of debating competitions, including the Premier's Debating Challenge, allow students one hour of preparation time after teams receive the topic. Regardless of the time you have available prior to a debate, this video will step you through how to break down the topic and prepare your team's case.

The video below will take you through each step of preparation.