case preparation: part 2the arguments the split writing speeches teamwork in preparation case...

The arguments The split Writing speeches Teamwork in preparation

CASE PREPARATION: part 2

Simon Quinn

“Most debates are won and lost in the preparation room.”

www.learndebating.com CASE PREPARATION (PART 2)

Outline

1 The ‘big picture’

2 The issue and definition

3 The case approach

4 The arguments

5 The split

6 Writing speeches

7 Teamwork in preparation

Outline

3 The case approach

4 The arguments

5 The split

6 Writing speeches

Arguments

Every argument made by a school debating team should havefour parts:

1 A label;

2 Explanation and reasoning;

3 At least one example (including, perhaps, statistics);

4 A link back to the team approach (‘SO WHAT?’)

Arguments

1 A label;

Arguments

1 A label;

Arguments

1 A label;

Arguments

1 A label;

Arguments

1 A label;

Effective use of examples

Examples that are often effective are:Real,Significant andCarefully analysed.

Examples that are rarely effective are:Hypotheticals (‘Imagine if...’),Personal anecdotes (‘My friend...’),Extremes (‘As Hitler illustrates...’), orReligious texts.

Alternatives to examples

Sometimes, it is effective to use alternatives to examples. Forexample, these could include:

StatisticsStatements of principle in important documents.

Alternatives to examples

Sometimes, it is effective to use alternatives to examples. Forexample, these could include:

StatisticsStatements of principle in important documents.

Outline

3 The case approach

4 The arguments

5 The split

6 Writing speeches

Outline

3 The case approach

4 The arguments

5 The split

6 Writing speeches

The split

You need to divide your arguments logically between first andsecond speakers.

This is known as your team’s ‘split’.

A ‘hung case’

Every speaker must argue the case directly.

ExampleSuppose a team is arguing for sanctions against China. . .1st: ‘China has a bad human rights record.’2nd: ‘Sanctions are an effective response.’

This is poor team strategy (a ‘hung case’): the first speakerdid not directly support the case!

Common splits

Common splits include:society / individual;international / domestic;military / political;some combination of social, political and economic;short-term / long-term.

If you use a common split, you should try to tailorthe split to your particular motion.

Common splits

Common splits include:society / individual;international / domestic;military / political;some combination of social, political and economic;short-term / long-term.

If you use a common split, you should try to tailorthe split to your particular motion.

Content splits

Remember: the split involves dividing arguments, not merelydividing examples.

It is poor strategy simply to divide different types of examples.This is known as a ‘content split’.

Outline

3 The case approach

4 The arguments

5 The split

6 Writing speeches

Outline

3 The case approach

4 The arguments

5 The split

6 Writing speeches

Writing speeches

“Tell them what you’re going to tell them,

Then tell them,

Then tell them what you told them.”

Old speechwriters’ adage

Speaker roles

Role of the First Proposition

The First Proposition speaker has two main duties:

1 Introduce his or her team’s case; and

2 Present the first two team arguments.

Speaker roles

Role of the First Proposition

These two duties can be covered by following structure:1 A formal introduction;2 The definition, and any other definitional clarifications;3 The affirmative team’s case approach;4 The split;5 An outline of argument;6 The arguments;7 A summary of arguments; and8 A conclusion.

Speaker roles

Role of the First Opposition

The First Opposition speaker has two main duties:

1 Rebut the First Proposition;

2 Introduce his or her team’s case; and

3 Present the first two team arguments.

Speaker roles

Role of the First Opposition

These three duties can be covered by following structure:1 A brief introduction;2 Rebuttal;3 The opposing team’s case approach;4 The split;5 An outline of argument;6 The arguments;7 A summary of arguments; and8 A conclusion.

Speaker roles

Another important role of the First Opposition:Responding to the Proposition’s definition

The First Opposition must also respond to the Proposition’sdefinition.

He or she must do so either by agreeing or disagreeing withthe definition set out by the First Proposition.

Agreeing with the definition only requires one, very briefsentence, usually at the end of the team case approach.

Disagreeing with the definition is a more complicated task,dealt with early in rebuttal. We will discuss definitionalchallenges in more detail later.

Speaker roles

Role of the Second Speakers

Both Second Speakers have very similar roles:

1 Rebut their opponents’ arguments; and

2 Continue their respective team’s case.

Speaker roles

Role of the Second Speakers

These duties can be covered by following structure:1 A brief introduction;2 Rebuttal;3 A brief link to the team’s case approach;4 An outline of argument;5 The arguments;6 A summary of arguments; and7 A conclusion.

Speaker roles

Role of the Third Speakers

Third Speakers spend almost their entire speeches rebutting,usually with a short team summary before they conclude.

We will discuss this in more detail later.

Speaker roles

Explaining the duties of speakers

Let’s now consider some of these duties in more detail:

Signposting;Formal introductions;Brief introductions;Setting up a team approach;Brief links to a team case;Outlines and summaries;Conclusions;Timing.

Speaker roles

Signposting

In debating, a ‘signpost’ is a label that tells the audiencewhere you are in your speech.

Signposts need not be complicated, but they must beclear — for example, “My first argument this eveningaddresses. . . ”.Only signpost major elements of your speech.For example, signposting arguments is very important butsignposting the example of an argument might beexcessive.

REMEMBER: A speech without clear signposts willlikely be very difficult for audiences to follow!

Speaker roles

Signposting

In debating, a ‘signpost’ is a label that tells the audiencewhere you are in your speech.

Signposts need not be complicated, but they must beclear — for example, “My first argument this eveningaddresses. . . ”.Only signpost major elements of your speech.For example, signposting arguments is very important butsignposting the example of an argument might beexcessive.

REMEMBER: A speech without clear signposts willlikely be very difficult for audiences to follow!

Speaker roles

Formal Introductions

A formal introduction is required only of the First Propositionspeaker.

It is intended to ‘introduce’ the audience to the debate as awhole.

The goal is to provide a conversational and ‘big picture’introduction to the debate.

A good formal introduction is important in order to allow yourteam an opportunity to charactise key issues from yourpoint of view.

Speaker roles

Brief introductions

Except for the First Proposition, speakers are required onlyto give a brief introduction.

A brief introduction only acknowledges the chair of the debateand the audience — for example, you could say,

Good evening Madame Chair,ladies and gentlemen...

and then dive straight into rebuttal.

A brief introduction allows the speaker to start rebuttal quickly— when the audience and adjudicator most want to hear it!

Speaker roles

Brief introductions

Speaker roles

Brief introductions

Speaker roles

Setting up a team approach

Both first speakers must build their team’s case for theaudience before moving on to their arguments.

This means presenting:issue;definition;case approach; andsplit.

The order presented here is often appropriate, but there is noset sequence — use whatever best explains your team case.

Speaker roles

Brief links to a team case

Both second speakers should show the audience how theirarguments fit together with the overall team case.

This usually means:stating your team’s theme; andbriefly recounting the first speaker’s arguments; beforeoutlining their own arguments.

Speaker roles

Outlines and summaries

The outline and summary are like a roadmap — they showlisteners the overall plan of arguments.

The outline and summary are both very simple, and practicallyidentical.

Simply listing the arguments that will be or have beenpresented is sufficient!

Importantly, the outline and summary only ever refer toarguments — not, for example, rebuttal or other parts of yourteam members’ speeches.

Speaker roles

Outlines and summaries

The outline and summary are like a roadmap — they showlisteners the overall plan of arguments.

The outline and summary are both very simple, and practicallyidentical.

Simply listing the arguments that will be or have beenpresented is sufficient!

Importantly, the outline and summary only ever refer toarguments — not, for example, rebuttal or other parts of yourteam members’ speeches.

Speaker roles

Conclusions

People are not robots! No matter how hard they have listenedto your arguments, your audience may be swayed by aneffective appeal to emotion or ‘punchy’ summary.

Practice your conclusion in advance — a good conclusion islikely to help your style mark!

Speaker roles

Conclusions

People are not robots! No matter how hard they have listenedto your arguments, your audience may be swayed by aneffective appeal to emotion or ‘punchy’ summary.

Practice your conclusion in advance — a good conclusion islikely to help your style mark!

Speaker roles

Timing: ‘internal’ timing

‘Internal timing’ refers to the allocation of time within yourspeech.

There are no strict rules about internal timing — usually, goodtiming depends on the context and importance of content.

However, in general, you should spend:30 seconds on the conclusion; andA few minutes on rebuttal.

Generally each speaker will spend more timerebutting than the previous speaker.

Speaker roles

Timing

‘External timing’ refers to the length of your speech.

Use all your time and not much more!Speeches that are too short rob a speaker of theopportunity to strengthen their team’s case.Speeches that are too long will incur a penalty, usuallyaccruing after 30 seconds past the final bell.

Speaker roles

Timing

‘External timing’ refers to the length of your speech.

Use all your time and not much more!Speeches that are too short rob a speaker of theopportunity to strengthen their team’s case.Speeches that are too long will incur a penalty, usuallyaccruing after 30 seconds past the final bell.

Outline

3 The case approach

4 The arguments

5 The split

6 Writing speeches

Outline

3 The case approach

4 The arguments

5 The split

6 Writing speeches

Teamwork in Preparation

We have the ingredients, but what about the recipe?

Here is a suggested method of how to approach the formationof a team case:

1 brainstorming,2 feeding back,3 case development,4 writing speeches and5 final discussions.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming in debating is not just about writing downanything and everything that comes to mind! Brainstorming indebating means individual case preparation.

The aim is for each speaker to prepare an entire case.This method of approach encourages input from everyone.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming in debating is not just about writing downanything and everything that comes to mind! Brainstorming indebating means individual case preparation.

The aim is for each speaker to prepare an entire case.This method of approach encourages input from everyone.

Feeding back

This step involves brief sharing of each team member’sbrainstorming. Usually, each team member will share theirentire case with each other, in turn.

To save time, don’t repeat anything already mentioned by otherspeakers. It is crucial that speakers are not interrupted muchduring this phase; interruptions are inefficient at this stage.

Always write down your teammates’ preparation!

Feeding back

Case development

Case development is all about building the case.

Occasionally, this merely involves selecting the “best”elements from the brainstorming. . .

. . . but usually it is much better to use the brainstorming asfoundations to build a new team case.

Use your time wisely to maximise the work done as a team.

Case development

Writing speeches

Speakers can now leave the group to prepare their individualspeeches.

It can be tempting to start preparing individual speechesbefore the case development is done (for example, by writingthe team definition onto palm cards before the team hasdecided its case line). But this generally disrupts the flow ofpreparation — always wait for the case development to finishbefore preparing individual speeches!

Writing speeches

Speakers can now leave the group to prepare their individualspeeches.

It can be tempting to start preparing individual speechesbefore the case development is done (for example, by writingthe team definition onto palm cards before the team hasdecided its case line). But this generally disrupts the flow ofpreparation — always wait for the case development to finishbefore preparing individual speeches!

Final discussions

After individual speeches have been prepared, your teamshould have time for some final discussions.

These final discussions usually involve:First and second speakers briefly summarising theirspeeches, to ensure everybody understands subtleties tothe case;Team discussion of potential opposition arguments andsubsequent rebuttal;Team discussion of opposition rebuttal to your own case;Team discussion to identify key strategic ‘goals’ in thedebate (for example, “Let’s make sure that wekeep emphasising issue [x]”.)

Final discussions

Resolving differences of opinion

Inevitably, there will need to be elements of compromise in allpreparations.

Compromise does not mean merely including ‘a bit of eachteam member’s approach’!

For example, if different team members have very differentsuggestions, the best approach may be to choose just one ofthe two approaches.

Resolving differences of opinion

Inevitably, there will need to be elements of compromise in allpreparations.

Compromise does not mean merely including ‘a bit of eachteam member’s approach’!

For example, if different team members have very differentsuggestions, the best approach may be to choose just one ofthe two approaches.

Short-preparation debates

Many debating competitions feature “short-preparation”debates: debates where preparation time is restricted.(Usually, the time provided is one hour.)

The most important thing to remember for such debates isthat nothing really changes: the same preparation techniquesshould apply.

Short-preparation debates

Many debating competitions feature “short-preparation”debates: debates where preparation time is restricted.(Usually, the time provided is one hour.)

The most important thing to remember for such debates isthat nothing really changes: the same preparation techniquesshould apply.

Basic timing of short-preparation debates

The following is the most common method — and usually themost successful — for dividing time for a one-hourpreparation:

0 – 10 minutes BRAINSTORMING10 – 15 minutes FEEDING BACK15 – 35 minutes CASE DEVELOPMENT35 – 50 minutes INDIVIDUAL SPEECH PREPARATION50 – 60 minutes FINAL DISCUSSIONS

The previous slide outlines the ideal short-preparation. For ateam to become this efficient usually takes a lot of practice.

Usually, only experienced teams can consistently work insideof this timing. However, the timing is something for which allteams should strive.

The previous slide outlines the ideal short-preparation. For ateam to become this efficient usually takes a lot of practice.

Usually, only experienced teams can consistently work insideof this timing. However, the timing is something for which allteams should strive.

‘Hastening slowly’

Remember: an hour can be a long time; as a team, youshould focus on being efficient, rather than on rushing.

The biggest waste of time is having to re-do parts of the prep:Be sure that your case fundamentals are correct beforeproceeding!

‘Hastening slowly’

Remember: an hour can be a long time; as a team, youshould focus on being efficient, rather than on rushing.

The biggest waste of time is having to re-do parts of the prep:Be sure that your case fundamentals are correct beforeproceeding!

Leadership

Because of the time constraints, it usually pays to appoint aleader for short-preparation debates.

This person can help make the preparation more efficient by:

Watching the clock and appropriately setting the speed ofprogress; andClarifying team ideas and leading discussion onhow to resolve differences.

Leadership

Because of the time constraints, it usually pays to appoint aleader for short-preparation debates.

This person can help make the preparation more efficient by:

Watching the clock and appropriately setting the speed ofprogress; andClarifying team ideas and leading discussion onhow to resolve differences.

Short preparation during the debate

Sometimes, during the first proposition’s speech, theopposition team must abandon its prepared case and startagain!

The most common reason for this is that the Propositionpresents a definition that is unexpected but reasonable,under the ‘exclusive right of definition’ rule.

Deciding to abandon your case

Clearly, it is very tempting simply to avoid abandoning yourcase in any circumstances.

However, this approach is strategically weak if the proposition’sdefinition and case approach are reasonable. If the propositionpresents a reasonable definition, it is strategically wiser toargue against the Proposition’s case — even if this meansabandoning the prepared case at short notice!

This is usually a decision for the team leader.

Deciding to abandon your case: first steps...

If you must abandon your case, the following must be donefirst:

1 Your new case approach;2 Your new split; and3 Your first speaker’s arguments.

The team should then listen carefully to the case as outlinedby the first speaker as they will need to stick to it!

Thankfully, these debates arise very rarely. But you shouldalways be wary of their potential, especially if competitions usethe ‘exclusive right of definition rule’.

Outline

3 The case approach

4 The arguments

5 The split

6 Writing speeches

Outline

3 The case approach

4 The arguments

5 The split

6 Writing speeches

CASE PREPARATION: part 2

Simon Quinn

“Most debates are won and lost in the preparation room.”Slides by Andrew Quinn and Simon Quinn. Artwork by Armand Homsi for the Arabic translation, ‘The Complete Guide to the Art of Debate’, published by QatarDebate.

case preparation: part 2the arguments the split writing speeches teamwork in preparation case...

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