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 Step-By-Step Guide
Resources
Step-By-Step Guide
Task 1.6: Prepare for debate on GM animals
You have been asked to prepare for the debate on genetically modified animals. You have also been asked to thoroughly research both sides of the argument so as to be familiar with potential strategies you may want to take, as well as those the other team might take in this debate.
Reminder: In your research you may encounter theological or religious arguments, particularly regarding ethics. Remember that you have been asked to not include this line of discussion in your debate.
The steps below will help you with your task.
Before you begin:
- Review the Resources link (above) for some links that may be helpful to you in preparing for your first debate. You are also encouraged to do some research on your own to find other resources as the need arises.
Your Tasks: (click an item to jump to that section)
Manage Project (back to top)
Note: You may want to start recruiting people for your next focus group, on GM crops, now so you have enough people to conduct the group on schedule. If possible, use different selection criteria and different people than were in your first focus group. Schedule the group for the time you are likely to be on task 2.2.
Your team will need to continue managing your projects and submit a team status report.
- Keep the same project manager as in the previous task.
- Use your status report template to keep track of your team’s work for this task. At the end of this task the project manager will need to submit the team status report detailing what was accomplished.
- Refer to previous tasks for more information on project management.
- Contact your mentor to determine what position your team has been assigned.
- Once your position has been assigned, review the email as a team and have a thorough discussion regarding the tasks at hand, including:
- Who has prior debate experience and can share information with the team;
- Which side each teammate falls on in the argument based on the research conducted for the presentation; and
- Where do gaps in current information exist within your team?
- Based on this discussion, divide up your roles for the preparation for the debate.
- As a team, decide who will conduct any remaining research needed regarding debate formats, structure and strategy.
- Next, as a team, determine who will conduct any research needed for the position assigned.
- Then, determine who will conduct any research needed for the opposing position.
- Make sure that the labor is divided evenly among the team members. Your team may decide to have everyone participate equally in each debate, or to divide the work among the three debates in this rotation. Divide your work as your team sees fit, so long as everyone contributes and in the end you meet this requirement.
- In your team status report, describe how you plan to divide the work describe how in the end your choice will meet this requirement. Your mentor will have to approve your plan to ensure everyone is participating fully.
Conduct Research (back to top)
- Review the General Skills Resources link (in the left menu) if you haven't already done so for information on conducting research. You are free to conduct research by any means (e.g., internet, library, experts, etc). Make sure to evaluate sources of information for things such as bias, authority and accuracy.
- For research on debate format and strategy, start by looking at the Resources link (above). These will help you get started on understanding the general principles and organization of a debate. Then continue research as needed using whatever resources are most accessible and useful to you.
- For research on your assigned position or the opposition, it may be best for you to review the notes you have taken for your presentation as a starting point. This will be a time when the quality of your organization and note-taking skills will be put to the test. Conduct any additional research that is needed to strengthen both your defense as well as your offense.
Plan for the Debate (back to top)
Your team needs to have your evidence organized so you will be able to find it quickly and easily during the debate. As a team you may decide to write out the key points that can be made for each section of the debate, and list these on notes cards or another format so that your message is clearly outlined. Remember, time is limited, so each statement should 'pack a punch' and not be redundant with previous statements.
The debate structure is described below. Plan accordingly.
- Positive position's opening. Assigned team presents the main arguments and supporting points for their positive position on the debate questions.
- Negative position's opening. Assigned team presents the main arguments and supporting points for their negative position on the debate questions. The opening states the team's planned position rather than refutes the points the other team made.
- Short break for both teams to discuss what was presented and prepare their rebuttal.
- Negative position's rebuttal. Team assigned the negative position offers evidence to refute the points the team with the positive position made in their opening.
- Anticipate what you think the other team's opening argument will be, including the key arguments and supporting evidence, to help prepare your rebuttal beforehand. What evidence have you gathered that you feel best refutes these points? Use this information to develop a rebuttal.
- During the debate, be sure to listen carefully to the other team's opening statement and adjust your rebuttal according to what the other team actually says.
- Positive position's rebuttal. Team assigned the positive position offers evidence to refute the points the team with the negative position made in their opening and their rebuttal.
- Questions from the audience. The audience will ask questions to either team on points they would like clarify, for which the information presented wasn't clear or on points that were not covers.
- What is the audience likely to ask? What points do you feel address these questions and support your position most strongly? Prepare a list of the questions you think you might be asked along with your responses. Determine who will answer questions, and how to handle unanticipated ones.
- Short Break for teams to discuss what was presented and prepare for their conclusion.
- Positive position's conclusion. Summarize the main arguments of their position, and the key evidence supporting these arguments.
- In your conclusion try to address the points that neither team has secured as a "win" and any key arguments that your opponents have raised against your position that you have not yet defended successfully. As a team determine who will be in charge of the closing argument.
- Negative position's conclusion. Summarize the main arguments of their position, and the key evidence supporting these arguments.
Run-through and Revisions (back to top)
- Practice the debate argument and counter-argument with your teammates.
- Listen to the points presented and think critically about your own contributions.
- Try taking turns to with each position to ensure each member of your team understands both sides of the argument, and to draw out any points each side may use.
- Take the practice seriously; it is an opportunity not only to practice and build confidence but also to get feedback from each other on your content and style before debating with another team in front of an audience.
- Revise and finalize preparations for the debate. Discuss any issues that arose during the run-through and make changes in strategy or approach as needed.
Review and Submit Your Work (back to top)
- Review your work.
- In preparing for the debate, was everyone's role in the preparation clear?
- Did you conduct thorough research on debates, your team's assigned position, and the counter-argument?
- Were you able to utilize the notes you had from prior research sessions to support your work in this task?
- Did you practice your position, rebuttal, and conclusion with your team?
- Did you revise your debate strategy based on your practice?
- Did you start to prepare for your next focus group?
- (Project Manager) Did you update your team status report to reflect the current state of progress?
- Submit your work.
- Review the checklist located in the Submit Your Work section of this task to ensure completion of the task before submitting your deliverables to your mentor.
Resources
Task 1.6 Resources
The links below are intended as a starting point for your work. If you are unable to find all the information you need, or if the information here leaves questions you still need to answer, you may need to conduct further research to complete your work. In the event of a broken link, use the description as a starting point to search for similiar links.
International Debate Education Association
Radio, video, blogs, debate discussion boards, and other information to help you become familiar and get involved in debates.
Debate Central
A website with links to instructional materials on debating, videos of debates, debate institutes and academies from around the world, and other information.
Debate Structure and Tips
Describes a debate structure and offers tips on dealing with each part. Note that the debate structure used in this rotation differs from the structure described at this resource. There are similarities between the two and the tips are useful.
Debate Tips and Tricks
Simple tips that can help guide how you plan for and conduct a debate.
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