Debate Agenda

Debate Concepts

1. Quiz First to Check Preparation

2. Introduction

No "Right" or "Wrong" Answers but "DEFENDED Opinions"
Sensitivity to Biological Issues in Society
Argue Various Views Publicly and Effectively
Learn From/About Fellow Classmates

3. Argumentation

Empirical Evidence? "Figures don't lie, liars figure"
Fact or Opinion? "I wouldn't have believed it unless I saw it"
Propaganda? or Truth?
Cause/Effect or Correlation? "Birds fly south to escape cold?"
Distortions/Oversimplifications? "Cold in North because Birds fly south?"
Analogy Correct/Faulty? "Food Source, Breeding, Instinct, Biorhythm?"
Generalizations over-extended? "Geese migrate south, so all birds migrate south for winter"
"Brain works by electrical potential, computer works by electrical potential so brain is a computer"
Proper attention to variation/statistics? "One case study overextended to population"

4. Qualities in Debate

Materials outside of article read

Evidence given, not just hearsay opinion

Anticipates and parries opposite point of view

Asks pertinent questions of opponents weaknesses

Is adequately prepared

Is well organized

Does not attack ad hominem

Is polite and does not interrupt

5. FIRST DEBATE

a. What is the Proposition? Issue 20: Should there be a market in body parts?

Fact: true or false that....using established criteria for definition, rule, law to establish fact
Value: acceptable or not that...using generally accepted value system concept is acceptable
Policy: action should be....beneficial to public

Example:

Fact: "Animal Experimentation Saves Human Lives"
Value: "Animal Rights are Less Important than Human Rights"
Policy: "Animal Experimentation should be required before medicine can be used on humans"

b. Argument-Facts and opinions as evidence in logical analysis of proposition

c. Format:

Opening Statements: No, Yes
Constructive Speeches: No Rebuttal or Reference To Opponent
1. First No: Peter, Jumelle, Andreas
2. First Yes: Chris, Yovani
3. Second No
4. Second Yes
Rebuttal Speeches: Addressing Opponent's Points, Strengthening Own
1. First Yes
2. First No
3. Second Yes
4. Second No
Closing Statements: Yes, No
Questions from Audience: NO OPINIONS FROM AUDIENCE
Instructor Role: Clarification or Question ONLY...NO OPINION FROM ME
Issue 5 Folks Vote on Debate Distribute Ballots!

6. NOW THE TABLES ARE TURNED: Issue 5--Should Physicians Be Allewed to Assist in Patient Suicide?

Opening Statements: Yes, No
Constructive Speeches: No Rebuttal or Reference To Opponent
1. First Yes: Jill, Melissa, ~~Rachel~~
2. First No: Willis, Jillian, Joe
3. Second Yes
4. Second No
Rebuttal Speeches: Addressing Opponent's Points, Strengthening Own
1. First No
2. First Yes
3. Second No
4. Second Yes
Closing Statements: No, Yes
Questions from Audience: NO OPINIONS FROM AUDIENCE
Instructor Role: Clarification or Question ONLY...NO OPINION FROM ME
Issue 14 Folks Vote on Debate Distribute Ballots!

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Send comments and bug reports to Ross Koning at rkoning@snet.net.