Debate

Debate Terminology
Argument—A position or statement of opinion to be supported
Contention—As part of an argument, a contention is a statement to be proven
Affirmative—The positive side (pro) of the debate that supports the resolution statement
Negative—The side of the debate that is against the affirmative position (con)
Resolution—A specific statement of what is to be proven or refuted; the formal resolution statement begins: “Be it resolved that. . .”
Refute—To disprove
Rebuttal—Questions to challenge points made by opposition
Summation—Conclusion, the last appeal to the audience/jury
Brief—Pre-planned statements of position before rebuttal

Questions to Consider When Researching for Debate on Abortion:
Research Roe vs. Wade
What problems existed that led to Roe vs. Wade?
Which problems (if any) did Roe vs. Wade solve?
Which problems (if any) did Roe vs. Wade create?
Do the same reasons for originally passing Roe vs. Wade exist today?
Statistics: Number of abortions per year (or decade) in the United States
Statistics: Demographics of abortions in the United States
Philosophy: Value of Life
Philosophy: Value of Choice
Is the value of life and choice mutually exclusive or can they co-exist?
Types of abortion
Testimonials: why people are grateful they have had an abortion or why people are regretful they have had an abortion
Research: Arguments for keeping abortion legal
Research: Arguments for making abortion illegal
Research: Different perspectives on abortion (i.e. religious, philosophical, social, psychological, ethical, governmental, medical, etc.)
Develop opening and closing statements
Develop arguments
Develop counter-arguments
Develop logical chains
Develop aggressive questioning
Search Engine: “Debate + Abortion”
Review fallacies (and try to avoid them)
Use Costa’s Levels of Questioning to develop questions
Visit: www.don-lindsay-archive.org/skeptic/arguments.html

Debate Structure:
Affirmative Opening Statement (3-5 minutes)
Negative Opening Statement (3-5 minutes)
Negative Argument #1 (1-2.5 minutes)
Affirmative Counter-Argument #1 (1-2.5 minutes)
Affirmative Argument #1 (1-2.5 minutes)
Negative Counter-Argument #1 (1-2.5 minutes)
Affirmative Argument #2 (1-2.5 minutes)
Negative Counter-Argument #2 (1-2.5 minutes)
Negative Argument #2 (1-2.5 minutes)
Affirmative Counter-Argument #2 (1-2.5 minutes)
Negative Argument #3 (1-2.5 minutes)
Affirmative Counter-Argument #3 (1-2.5 minutes)
Affirmative Argument #3 (1-2.5 minutes)
Negative Counter Argument #3 (1-2.5 minutes)
Negative Open-Ended Questioning of Affirmative Members (3 minutes)
Affirmative Open-Ended Questioning of Negative Members (3 minutes)
Affirmative Closing Statement (3-5 minutes)
Negative Closing Statement (3-5 minutes)