A guide to preparing for a debate.

1. Primary School Debating Created by Aimee Tang 2009
DEBATING - First Speaker Guide
Topic
Position Affirmative/Negative
Team-line
Greeting and Introduction
Good ___________ chairperson, opposition and audience.
The topic for today's debate is that …
We, the __________________ team, believe that this statement is true/false.
State Topic and Define Key Words from the Topic
If negative, choose:
We agree with the definition given by the affirmative team.
OR
We disagree with the definition given by the opposition (explain why you disagree and provide the
definition that you think is better.)
Outline your team's case:
a) Your points:
I will be speaking about...
•
•
•
b) Second speaker's points:
Our second speaker will be talking about....
•
•
•
c) Third's speaker's role:
Our third speaker will be summing up our team's case and refuting the arguments put forward by
the affirmative/negative team.

2. Primary School Debating Created by Aimee Tang 2009
Rebuttal against the speaker before you
(ONLY if you are on the negative team)
Their first point (what did they say?):
The _____ speaker of the affirmative team has tried to tell you...
Why do you disagree with this point? (and) Why is this argument wrong?
This is wrong because...
Their second point (what did they say?):
He/she also tried to tell you...
Why do you disagree with this point? (and) Why is this argument wrong?
This is wrong because....
Their third point (what did they say?):
He/she also tried to tell you...
Why do you disagree with this point? (and) Why is this argument wrong?
This is also wrong because...

3. Primary School Debating Created by Aimee Tang 2009
Your First Point
State your argument:
My first point is...
What's your research that supports your argument?
Give an example:
Explain your argument further:
Your Second Point
State your argument:
My second point is...
What's your research that supports your argument?
Give an example:
Explain your argument further:
Your Third Point
State your argument:
My third point is...
What's your research that supports your argument?
Give an example:
Explain your argument further:
Closing statement
Chairperson, opposition and members of the audience, in conclusion...

4. Primary School Debating Created by Aimee Tang 2009
DEBATING - Second Speaker Guide
Topic
Position Affirmative/Negative
Team-line
Greeting and Introduction
Good ___________ chairperson, opposition and audience.
The topic for today's debate is that ….
We, the __________________ team, believe that this statement is true/false.
Rebuttal against the speaker before you
Their first point (what did they say?):
The _____ speaker of the _________ has tried to tell you...
Why do you disagree with this point? (and) Why is this argument wrong?
This is wrong because...
Their second point (what did they say?):
He/she tried to tell you....
Why do you disagree with this point? (and) Why is this argument wrong?
This is wrong because...
Their third point (what did they say?):
He/she also tried to tell you....
Why do you disagree with this point? (and) Why is this argument wrong?
This is wrong because...

5. Primary School Debating Created by Aimee Tang 2009
Briefly State the Points You Will Make
Today I will be talking to you about:
•
•
•
Your First Point
State your argument:
My first point is...
What's your research that supports your argument?
Give an example:
Explain your argument further:
Your Second Point
State your argument:
My second point is...
What's your research that supports your argument?
Give an example:
Explain your argument further:

6. Primary School Debating Created by Aimee Tang 2009
Your Third Point
State your argument:
My third point is...
What's your research that supports your argument?
Give an example:
Explain your argument further:
Closing statement
Chairman, opposition and members of the audience, in conclusion...

7. Primary School Debating Created by Aimee Tang 2009
DEBATING - Third Speaker Guide
Topic
Position Affirmative/Negative
Team-line
Greeting and Introduction
Good ___________ chairperson, opposition and audience.
The topic for today's debate is that ….
We, the __________________ team, believe that this statement is true/false.
Rebuttal against the first speaker of the opposition
Their first point (what did they say?):
The _____ speaker of the _________ team has tried to tell you...
Why do you disagree with this point? (and) Why is this argument wrong?
This is wrong because...
Their second point (what did they say?):
He/she also tried to tell you....
Why do you disagree with this point? (and) Why is this argument wrong?
This is wrong because...

8. Primary School Debating Created by Aimee Tang 2009
Rebuttal against the second speaker of the opposition
Their first point (what did they say?):
The second speaker of the _________ team has tried to tell you...
Why do you disagree with this point? (and) Why is this argument wrong?
This is wrong because...
Their second point (what did they say?):
He/she also tried to tell you....
Why do you disagree with this point? (and) Why is this argument wrong?
This is wrong because...
Rebuttal against the third speaker of the opposition
Their first point (what did they say?):
The third speaker of the _________ team has tried to tell you...
Why do you disagree with this point? (and) Why is this argument wrong?
This is wrong because...
Their second point (what did they say?):
He/she also tried to tell you....
Why do you disagree with this point? (and) Why is this argument wrong?
This is wrong because...

9. Primary School Debating Created by Aimee Tang 2009
Summarise your team's points
a) Summary of your First Speaker
State their first argument:
My first speaker spoke to you about...
What research and examples backed up their argument?
State their second argument:
He/she also spoke to you about...
What research and examples backed up their argument?
State their third argument:
The final point that he/she spoke to you about was...
What research and examples backed up their argument?
b) Summary of your Second Speaker
State their first argument:
My second speaker spoke to you about...
What research and examples backed up their argument?
State their second argument:
He/she also spoke to you about...
What research and examples backed up their argument?
State their third argument:
The final point that he/she spoke to you about was...
What research and examples backed up their argument?
Closing statement
Chairman, opposition and members of the audience, in conclusion, our team is strongly convinced
that...

10. Primary School Debating Created by Aimee Tang 2009
Summarise your team's points
a) Summary of your First Speaker
State their first argument:
My first speaker spoke to you about...
What research and examples backed up their argument?
State their second argument:
He/she also spoke to you about...
What research and examples backed up their argument?
State their third argument:
The final point that he/she spoke to you about was...
What research and examples backed up their argument?
b) Summary of your Second Speaker
State their first argument:
My second speaker spoke to you about...
What research and examples backed up their argument?
State their second argument:
He/she also spoke to you about...
What research and examples backed up their argument?
State their third argument:
The final point that he/she spoke to you about was...
What research and examples backed up their argument?
Closing statement
Chairman, opposition and members of the audience, in conclusion, our team is strongly convinced
that...