Debate Skills

• Opening: 60s per speaker
• Rebuttal: 60s per speaker
• Cross-questions: 2 minutes total
• Closing: 45s per speaker

• Moderator introduces motion + rules
• Each speaker: 60s opening
• Round-table rebuttal: 2 rounds
• Audience questions: 4–6 questions
• Final statements: 30s each

• No interruptions; use rebuttal time
• Challenge ideas, not people
• Use evidence or reasoning, not “everyone knows”
• Moderator can pause for clarification

“The key issue is…” · “What’s at stake is…”
“This is not simply about X; it’s about Y.”
“The most compelling point is…”

“Therefore…” · “As a result…” · “This implies…”
“If we accept X, we must also accept Y.”
“This creates a trade-off between…”

“It is likely that…” · “The evidence suggests…”
“In many cases…” · “To a significant extent…”
“This may be effective, but…”

“I see your point; however…”
“That argument assumes…, which may not be true.”
“I’d challenge that on two grounds…”

• Challenge evidence: “What is the source / sample / limitation?”
• Challenge logic: “That doesn’t necessarily follow because…”
• Challenge assumption: “That assumes X is always true.”
• Counterexample: “However, in cases where…”
• Weighing: “Even if X is true, Y is a bigger concern.”

“That’s an interesting claim, but…”
“The issue with that argument is…”
“That may be true in some contexts; however…”
“A stronger interpretation is…”
“Let’s test that idea: if…, then…”

• The other side makes a fair limitation
• You want to appear balanced/credible
• You can “trade” a small point to win a bigger one

“I agree that…, but…”
“While it’s true that…, it doesn’t change the fact that…”
“That’s a valid concern; however, a better solution is…”
“Even if we accept that point, we still need to consider…”

• Data/statistics (with context)
• Expert opinion (credible source)
• Real-world examples (representative)
• Logical reasoning (clear steps)

“According to…” · “The data indicates…” · “This suggests…”
“One limitation is…” · “This may not apply to…”

“Everyone knows…” · “I saw a video…” · “One person said…”
No date, no source, no context, emotional claims only.

• Define key terms (avoid talking past each other)
• Choose 2–3 main reasons
• Add evidence + one limitation
• Predict the top counterarguments

Write 4 rebuttal cards: “If they say X → we respond Y (because…)”

Identify one fair point you can concede, then pivot back to your strongest argument.

• This house would ban smartphones in schools.
• This house believes AI tools improve education overall.
• This house would make public transit free in major cities.
• This house would require companies to allow remote work when possible.

• 6+ persuasive frames (“The key issue is…”)
• 4+ rebuttal starters (“That assumes…”)
• 2+ concessions (“While it’s true that…”)
• 2+ hedging phrases (“The evidence suggests…”)
• 2+ evidence references (“According to…”)

• Clarity + organization of argument
• Quality of rebuttals (logic/evidence focus)
• Respectful tone + turn-taking
• Use of evidence and concessions
• Fluency + control of register