The Training Section

Throughout the first term (and beyond) of the academic year there is a full schedule of training in all things debate related provided by our training team. All the materials used (Powerpoints, handouts etc.) will be available here after the sessions in which they are used, so that if you miss a session, or just want to see how training works, they're here for you to use.

There will also be a full training schedule for the first term appearing on the website in due course, but until then, I've attached a brief overview of how a debate works and what the different roles are responsible for in a debate below.

So if you're looking to prepare for the debating season to come, then the only advice I can offer is to stay up to date with the news (the BBC is good) and give everybody's favorite debate related magazine, the Economist, a read and I look forward to seeing you in the training sessions in October!

During Prep Time

• 1st Prop - Firstly, you need to decide exactly what you are going to do as the government, how you are going to do the thing being discussed in the debate. Then you need to come up with as many arguments as you can, before deciding who will speak first and second and choosing the best 6 and deciding which 3 each of you will talk about.
• 1st Opp - You need to come up with as many arguments as you can, before deciding who will speak first and second and choosing the best 6 and deciding which 3 of each you will talk about.
• 2nd Prop/Opp - You need to come up with as many arguments as you can, try and think a bit more broadly, as you're looking for arguments that you don't think the 1st half of the table will talk about. Then all you need to do is decide who will be extending and who will be summarising.

Things to Remember

• Points of Information - Points of information are crucial to debating. You must attempt to offer each opposition speaker at least 2 or 3 during every speech, this is what debating is all about!
• Speak for as long as you can - Nobody starts off debating particularly well, so the 5 minutes is more of a target than a must, so just carry on talking until you have nothing to say, summarise and sit down.
• You're convincing the Chair - To win a debate there is only one person in the room that you need to convince; the judge, so your speech should be directed at trying to convince him, not the other participants.
• Be nice to each other - Remember, often people won't be arguing what they actually believe, just what they've been told they must, so don't be rude to one another because of the views being expressed. Although, having said that, don't be afraid to tell them just how stupid their arguments are!

During the Debate

• 1st Prop, 1st Speaker - Firstly, you need to explain how you are going to carry out the proposed policy, then you need to tell the judge the main headings of your 3 points, before explaining each point in turn in the most convincing way possible, using as many justifications as you can think of. Once you've finished your three main points spend 30 seconds summarising what they were again. Then whilst the opposition speakers are speaking you need to concentrate on offering as many POI's as possible in order to de-rail their argument.


• 1st Prop, 2nd Speaker & 1st Opp, both Speakers - Whilst the other speakers are speaking before you you need to listen to their speeches, offering as many POIs as possible. If you think there is something you can say against their argument that doesn't come under your 3 points write it down to use as your rebuttal. When it comes down to your speech you need to tell the judge the main headings of your 3 points, before running through the points of rebuttal that you have written down during your opponents speeches. After that, explain each point in turn in the most convincing way possible, using as many justifications as you can think of. Once you've finished your three main points spend 30 seconds summarising what they were again. Then whilst the other sides speakers are speaking you need to concentrate on offering as many POI's as possible in order to de-rail their argument.


• 2nd Prop, 1st Speaker & 2nd Opp, 1st Speaker - You are the extension Speakers. You should have a long list of possible arguments from prep time, as these arguments come up and are explained to a satisfactory level in the first half of the table cross them off. Once the 2nd Speaker of the first half of the table on your side has finished their speech you may then decide which three points to use for your speech. You should of course be offering POI's to all the opposition speakers before and after your speech. When it comes down to your speech you need to tell the judge the main headings of your 3 points, before running through the points of rebuttal that you have written down during your opponents speeches. After that, explain each point in turn in the most convincing way possible, using as many justifications as you can think of. Once you've finished your three main points spend 30 seconds summarising what they were again. Then whilst the other sides speakers are speaking you need to concentrate on offering as many POI's as possible in order to de-rail their argument.


• 2nd Prop, 2nd Speaker & 2nd Opp, 2nd Speaker - You are the summary speakers. During the debate you need to note down what each speaker talks about (whilst offering plenty of POIs to the opposition speakers of course). Then, when all the speeches on your side are done, you need to decide which 3 points from your side are the strongest, and speak about those. You should also try and include not just why your main arguments are correct, but why the other sides main arguments are incorrect. When it comes down to your speech you need to tell the judge the main headings of your 3 points, before running through the points of rebuttal that you have written down during your opponents speeches. After that, explain each point in turn in the most convincing way possible, using as many justifications as you can think of. Once you've finished your three main points spend 30 seconds summarising what they were again.