Here are four strategies to effectively practice for debate tournaments.

A debate is a discussion or structured contest about an issue or a resolution. A formal debate involves two sides: one supporting a resolution and one opposing it. In the context of a classroom, the topic for debate will be guided by the knowledge, skill, and value outcomes in the curriculum.

Format of a Debate: Salutation: ‘Respected chairperson, honourable judges, and my dear friends…’. Introduction: ‘I am here to present my views for/against the motion…’ Body of the argument: May include views, facts, rebutting the statements, questions, etc.

1. Practice giving your first constructive speech.
2. Think about counter-arguments against your own case.
3. Practice crossfire with a partner.
4. Read.

Alley Debates are a fun and quick way to introduce debating to a class or to a debating society. They emphasise quick thinking and rebuttal skills. Divide the class into two groups and form two lines a few yards apart facing each other. Set a motion for the Alley Debate – these can be fun or serious.

A typical debate format includes:

• Teams are advised of the topic and take positions (pro and con).
• Teams discuss their topics and come up with statements expressing their position.
• Teams deliver their statements and offer the main points.
• Teams discuss the opposition’s argument and come up with rebuttals.

Starting a Debate Club

1. You need at least two debaters and a staff member to supervise.
2. Contact the MSDA for help and suggestions.
3. Set up a meeting.
4. Have some debates either in-club or with more experienced debaters from other schools, or some combination of the two.
5. Take part in MSDA tournaments if you would like to.

A debate club gives students of all abilities a fun way of developing their oracy skills. The club could also help students to become more informed about political and global affairs, or provide a venue for students to train for debate competitions with local school, or at a national level.

They will use examples and evidence to support their ideas while working towards a conclusion. The aim of a debate is to convince the opposition that you are right. When the two sides agree on the subject or when one side’s arguments are more convincing than the other side that is when the debate comes to a close.

The benefits of debating are as follows:

• Improved critical thinking skills.
• Pupils acquire better poise, speech delivery, and public speaking skills.
• Increased student retention of information learned.
• Improved listening note-taking skills and increased self-confidence.
• Enhanced teamwork skills and collaboration.

Debating, instead of arguing, can help you defuse a rapidly escalating situation. Debating helps you to develop essential critical thinking skills – the ability to make reasoned and well thought out arguments in addition to questioning the evidence behind a particular stance or conclusion.

In policy debate, a disadvantage (abbreviated as DA, and sometimes referred to as: Disad) is an argument that a team brings up against a policy action that is being considered. A disadvantage is also used in Lincoln Douglas Debate.

The pros and cons of something are its advantages and disadvantages, which you consider carefully so that you can make a sensible decision. They sat for hours debating the pros and cons of setting up their own firm.

The major disadvantage of coal is its negative impact on the environment. Coal-burning energy plants are a major source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to carbon monoxide and heavy metals like mercury, the use of coal releases sulfur dioxide, a harmful substance linked to acid rain.