SUGGESTED DEBATE TEMPLATE
First Affirmative Speaker (A1)
INTRODUCTION
1. Good afternoon Mr/Madam Chairman and the Audience. I am the first speaker. My
name is …
2. The topic for our debate is “That… ”
DEFINITION:
1. We define the topic as: “…”
2. We, the affirmative team, believe that this statement is true.
OUTLINE:
1. Today as first speaker I will be talking to you about:
2. Our second speaker will be talking about:
3. Our third speaker will talk about:
ARGUMENTS:
1. I am going to discuss … points:
a)
b)
2. My first point is:
a. This is true because/the reason for this is:
b. For example:
c. In conclusion:
ENDING
So Mr/Madam Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, in conclusion:
First Negative Speaker (N1)
INTRODUCTION
1. Good afternoon Mr/Madam Chairman and the Audience. I am the first negative
speaker. My name is …
2. The topic for our debate is “That…”
RESPONSE TO DEFINITION
3. We agree with the definition given by the affirmative team.
OR: We disagree with the definition given by the opposition because….
However, the negative team believes that this statement is false.
REBUTTAL:
Introduction: Before we go on about our own arguments, I’d like to offer some rebuttals
towards the opposing team / The Affirmative team.
1. The first speaker of the affirmative team has tried to tell you
2. This is wrong because: (NMET)
3. They also said that:
4. This is wrong because:
OUTLINE
1. Today as first speaker I will be talking to you about:
2. Our second speaker will be talking about:
3. Our third speaker will talk about:
ARGUMENTS:
1. I am going to discuss ... points:
a)
b)
2. My first point is:
d. This is true because/the reason for this is:
e. For example:
f. In conclusion:
ENDING
So Mr/Madam Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, in conclusion:
Second Affirmative Speaker (A2) + Second Negative Speaker (N2)
INTRODUCTION
1. Good afternoon Mr/Madam Chairman and the Audience. I am the second affirmative/
negative speaker. My name is …
REBUTTAL
1. The first speaker from the negative team/ The second speaker from the affirmative
team has tried to tell you:
2. This is wrong because (NMET)
3. They have also said that
4. This is wrong because
ARGUMENTS:
1. I am going to discuss … points:
a)
b)
2. My first point is:
g. This is true because/the reason for this is:
h. For example:
i. In conclusion:
ENDING
So Mr/Madam Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, in conclusion:
Third Affirmative/Negative Speaker (A3/N3)
INTRODUCTION
1. Good afternoon Mr/Madam Chairman and the Audience. I am the third
affirmative/ negative speaker. My name is …
REBUTTAL
1. The second negative speaker/third affirmative speaker has tried to tell you that
2. This is wrong because
EXTENSION (*NOT* NEW ARGUMENTS)
1. Now I will provide additional reasoning/evidence for my team’s … point (1,2 or
3)
2. (Reasoning) This point is true because..
3. (Evidence) For example,…
SUMMARY
1. Our first speaker spoke to you about
2. Our second speaker told you that
COMPARE
1. The negative/affirmative team have talked about (Opponent’s outline)
2. The first point has been proven wrong by…/ because…
3. The second point
4. The third point
Therefore, our team has done a better job in this debate.
ENDING
So Mr/Madam Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, in conclusion our team
