List of Debate Terminology

Sometimes debate tournaments take place in auditoriums in front of large audiences.

In formalized debates, two teams present speeches in favor of either side of a polarized issue, such as "communism vs. capitalism" or "the pros vs. the cons of registering handguns." Effective debaters possess a wide range of debate terminology, which describe the actual debate process, the act of debating and types of false arguments.

Debate Structure

Debates typically pit two "teams" or "sides" against each other. The "affirmative side" argues in favor of an issue, such as registering handguns, while the "negative side" contests the proposition, also called a "resolution." Usually a debate "referee," the person who organizes and manages a debate, uses a "timer" to clock speeches, allowing debaters only a limited time to speak to ensure equal opportunity. Referees permit debaters "prep time," when they can prepare a rebuttal in response to an argument. Sometimes referees maintain a "flow," a chart that notes all the points either side has made; teams can do this too.

Arguing and Rebutting

Each debate team builds a "case" for its side based on "reasons," claims that support or refute a resolution, and "evidence," information that backs up a reason. Teams either "construct" arguments or "rebut" them, which mean either to create or refute, respectively. In a "cross-examination," one team queries the other. Only one team can cross-examine at a time. "Subpoints" refer to a smaller statement or claim that supports or follows a major point. "Assertions" are declarations, "warrants" offer a basis for an assertion's validity and an "impact" illustrates the significance of a claim.

Logical Fallacies

Good debaters want to avoid "Logical fallacies," which weaken one's argument. A logical fallacy indicates an error in logic, such as an "ad hominem" argument, which opposes a person's argument by making a personal attack. A "straw man" argument rephrases an opponent's argument falsely, in order to make it easier to refute. Arguing that one event will lead to another event without any necessary link between the two events is called a "slippery slope" argument.

Determining the Winner

Winning an argument, or "picking up," is the opposite of "dropping," which means a debater has lost. How the winner of a debate is determined depends on the organization that holds the debate. In a classroom, the rest of the class that is not part of either team usually votes. In a debating tournament, the audience might vote or a panel of "judges" might vote. Voters judge a debate according to a "value" or "value" premise, a standard with which to evaluate the arguments presented, such as morality or the benefits to society, for example.

References

• Riverdale School District: Glossary of Key Debate Terms
• Riverdale School District: Debate Terminology

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• International Debate Education Association