Debating Skills (Part 1)

What does the affirmative team need to do in a debate?

• prove that there is a problem that needs to be fixed

• suggest a plan to fix that problem

• explain the plan by a set of supporting points

• All of the above

What is the job of the negative team?

• refute the claims stated by the affirmative

• prove the harm the plan of the affirmative team can cause

• All of the above

How many possible positions do the negative team have?

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

Answer explanation

(1) There is no problem.

(2) The plan won't fix the problem.

(3) The plan will make things worse.

In a good rebuttal, what should you say first?

• prove that the other side is wrong

• summarise what the other side has said

• prove that your idea is better

• none of the above

Answer explanation

There are 3 steps:

(1) Summarise what the other team has said

(2) prove that the other team's argument is wrong or not important

(3) prove that your idea is true or more important

In this example, which rebuttal technique is use?

"Although enthusiana stop patients from suffering pain, it violates the right to live. We, but nobody else have the right to decide to continue or give up our lives."

• effectiveness rebuttal

• principled rebuttal

• mitigation rebuttal

Proving the plan by the other team is not going to fix the problem is.....

• principled rebuttal

• mitigation rebuttal

• effectiveness rebuttal

....................... rebuttal means proving that the effective of the other team's plan is not as great as it really is.

• mitigation rebuttal

• effectiveness rebuttal

• principled rebuttal

If the other team's argument is: "The world is trying so hard to fix the environmental problem", which rebuttal technique are you likely to use?

• Unrealistic

• Illogical

• Unreasonable

Answer explanation

Because it is unrealistic all the countries care about and take actions for the environment.

If the other team's argument is: "Businesses are willing to pay more taxes to help save the environment", which rebuttal technique are you likely to use?

• Unrealistic

• Illogical

• Unreasonable

Answer explanation

Because logically speaking, no business is willing to pay more and reduce their profits.

If the other team's argument is: "We should shut down all the coal-fueled factories for the environment", which rebuttal technique are you likely to use?

• Unreasonable

• Unrealistic

• Illogical

Answer explanation

Because shutting down all factories right away will rob the jobs of many people and create a lack of energy supply.