MODULE 4
COMMUNICATION FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES
Lesson 5 – The Debate
Specific Learning Outcomes
During the learning engagements, the students are
able to:
• Discuss the importance of debate in everyday life:
• Identify and exhibit the different skills involved in
being a good debater; and
• Recognize the different types of debate and their
structures.
LESSON INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS DEBATE?
• A formal discussion on a particular topic in
a public meeting or legislative assembly,
in which opposing arguments are put
forward.
• Argue about (a subject) especially in a
formal manner.
LESSON INTRODUCTION
You may not be aware of it but you use debates
even in your daily activities. You hear people
argue in different domains-home, school, office,
market, church, and in the government. This is so
because a debate, loosely defined, involves the
exchange of opposing ideas or arguments. A
debate, which is carried out in a formal manner,
usually takes place in public meeting. The
exchange of arguments follows a certain
TYPES OF DEBATE
1. Formal Debates – are held in formal
settings such as in school, in the House of
Representatives, and in the Senate.
• Debaters come prepared, equipped with the
knowledge they need to be able to reason out
effectively.
• A topic is debated upon, and the debaters
listen to the arguments raised by the other
debaters from which they build their
TYPES OF DEBATE
2. Informal Debates – on the other hand,
do not follow strictly a structure.
While there are also two sides – the
AFFIRMATIVE and the NEGATIVE – it takes
place anywhere and does not have to involve
two teams. It may take place between two or
more people, arguing for or against a certain
issue. An example would be two friends,
deciding where to eat their lunch for the day.
SKILLS NEEDED IN DEBATE
• You need all the language macro-skills to
be an effective debater.
- Reading
- Speaking
- Writing
- Listening
SKILLS NEEDED IN DEBATE
READING
• For you to become a successful debater,
you should be a wide reader.
• Francis Bacon once said: Reading maketh
a full man, writing an exact man.”
SKILLS NEEDED IN DEBATE
READING
• Many say that through reading, you can visit
places, experience other cultures, and learn
new things. In fact, if you read extensively,
you are able to look at things differently. Your
knowledge of things is not restricted to a
single perspective but to many. You are able
to weigh things more objectively because
you have gained a deeper understanding of
life. Such is the beauty of being a book lover
SKILLS NEEDED IN DEBATE
SPEAKING
• Your being voracious reader or a
bookworm will certainly manifest itself in
the way you speak. You never run out of
thoughts and words once you are asked on
a certain topic. The knowledge you have
gained from reading can manifest in your
wide vocabulary and in a distinct use a
speaking style that can change the minds
SKILLS NEEDED IN DEBATE
WRITING
• It is in the writing skill where the “making
of a full man” is achieved. Reading and
Writing skills that go together. As a
passionate reader, you increase your
vocabulary significantly. You are able to
express in writing your full understanding
of yourself, the world you are in, your
views about life, and your perspective of
SKILLS NEEDED IN DEBATE
LISTENING
• Listening means paying attention not only
to the story, but how it is told, the use of
language and voice, and how other person
uses his or her body. In other words, it
means being aware of both verbal and
non-verbal messages.
2 MOST COMMON DEBATE FORMATS
• British Parliamentary
A popular debate format with four teams
(two on the Government side, two on the
Opposition).
- Each team has two speakers, and all
must present unique arguments.
- Fast-paced, with points of interruption
allowed (like "Points of Information").
2 MOST COMMON DEBATE FORMATS
• Asian Parliamentary
Only two teams (Government vs.
Opposition).
- Each team has three speakers, and
rebuttals are key.
- More structured, with fewer interruptions
than BritParl.
SPEAKER ROLES AND FLOW OF
DEBATE IN ASPARL
• Government Side - Supports the motion
• Opposition - Rebutte the motion
• Prime Minister (PM) - First speaker of
Government
⁃ defines the motion and presents the
main arguments.
SPEAKER ROLES AND FLOW OF
DEBATE IN ASPARL
• Leader of Opposition (LO) - First
speaker of Opposition
⁃ rebutts the Prime Minister and presents
counter-arguments.
• Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) - Second
speaker of Government
⁃ expands on arguments and rebutts
SPEAKER ROLES AND FLOW OF
DEBATE IN ASPARL
• Deputy Leader of Opposition (DLO) -
Second speaker of opposition
⁃ adds more arguments and counters the
statements said by the Government
• Government Whip - Third speaker of
government
⁃ summarizes the debate and defends the
SPEAKER ROLES AND FLOW OF
DEBATE IN ASPARL
• Opposition Whip - Third speaker of
opposition
⁃ summarizes why the Government is
wrong and reinforces the Opposition’s case.
SPEAKER ROLES AND FLOW OF
DEBATE IN ASPARL
• Reply Speeches - Typically done after
whips, it is done by each bench where
speakers summarize the debate and argue
why their side won, WITHOUT introducing
new arguments or rebuttals. It's a chance
to persuade the judge that their team's
case and arguments were superior.
TYPES OF MOTIONS
Motions are topics that are debated by debaters
1. Policy Motions - Debates about
changing or implementing a policy.
Example: This house would ban social media
for minors.
2. Value Judgement Motions - Debates
about what is morally right/wrong or
better/worse.
TYPES OF MOTIONS
3. True or False Motions - Debates about
whether a statement is factually correct or
not.
Example: This house believes that AI will
replace human jobs.
4. Actor Motions - Debates where debaters
pretend to be a person/group
Example: This house, as the United Nations,
ETHICAL CONSIDERATION
Freely and Steinberg (2014) in their book
Argumentation and Debate: Critical
Thinking for Reasoned Decision Making
define ethics as “ a set of constructs that
guide our decision making by providing
standards of behaviour telling us how we
ought to act”.
However, they have added different
ways of conceptualizing ethics as
follows:
1.Ethics may be thought of as a complex
foundation of morally based rules, as might
be adhered to within a culture of a group.
2.Ethics may provide specific guidelines for
individuals or groups engaged in similar
activities or with occupational concerns, for
3. Ethics may characterize the way people
think of themselves and the self-applied
measures for right behaviour based in
personality or experience which guide them
to virtuous or appropriate behaviour.
4. Ethics may construct a general or
universal set of values, guiding a broader
understanding about the human condition
born of philosophical commitment,
Debates, therefore, question issues of right
and wrong including the applications of
standards ethics. At times, people also find
themselves challenging their own ethical
standards. It is difficult to assume that just
because a debater sees something to be
unacceptable, then it really is. Assumptions lead
to poor arguments and poor-decision-making.
Remember that people have differing ethical
assumptions about this world. They have been
DRESS AND APPEARANCE
• You should be mindful of how you look in a formal debate.
• Your appearance is just as important as the paralinguistic
cues and non-verbal behaviour.
• If you are a female speaker, wear a business attire that
will make you look respectable. Do not wear colors that
are ostentatiously attractive.
• Very high-heeled shoes and flat shoes should also be
avoided. Instead, wear heels that are manageable, for
example, 1 ½ to 2 inches.
DRESS AND APPEARANCE
• For males, you also need to wear business
attire, avoiding loud colors. Should you
wear a coat and tie, do not wear a tie that
comes in flashy or glaring colors.
• You should be able to match your inner
clothes with your outer clothes.
• Do not wear large ornaments. Your nails
should be cut, hair well-combed, shoes
neatly-polished.
REFERENCES:
Floyd, K. (2012). “Interpersonal Communication.” New
York, The McGraw-Hill Companies
Madrunio, M. & Martin,I. (2018). Purposive Communication
Using English in Multilingual Contexts.” Quezon City: C & E
Publishing, Inc.
Padilla, M., Dagdag, L., & Roxas, F. (2018). “Communicate
and Connect! Purposive Communication.” Malabon City,
Philippines: Mutya Publishing House Inc.
3G Elearning FZ LLC (2014). “Basic Communication Skills.”
UAE, 3G Elearning FZ LLC
THANK YOU VERY
MUCH!
Caritas Christi Urget Nos
