PRS: About Debate

Hello All, hope you're having a good long weekend. I'm working in my office (oh, joy!).
For your reading pleasure, find copied here the handouts concerning our debate segment.
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Introduction to Debating

A debate is a speaking situation in which opposite points of view are presented and argued. Each speaker attempts to convince the audience to agree with his or her ideas. A debate thus consists of to opposing persuasive speeches. (E.g. two opinions on banning smoking in all public places – one person supports it with good arguments, other person opposes it with good arguments).
1. Basic Terms
Debate: two opposing teams (or speakers) make speeches to support their arguments and disagree with those of the other team.
Resolution: the opinion about which two teams argue (e.g. ‘smoking should be banned in all public places’)
Affirmative team: agrees with the resolution.
Negative team: disagrees with the resolution.
Rebuttal: explains why one team disagrees with the other team.
Judges: decide the winner (the “judge” will be ALL of you in class).
2. Opinions and Reasons
A resolution is an opinion about which people disagree. In your debates you will agree or disagree with the resolution regardless of what you personally believe. An opinion can be introduced by an opinion indicator:
"I think/believe that smoking should be banned in public places..."
A reason explains why that opinion is held and can be introduced by a reason indicator:
"...because/since secondhand smoke is harmful for nonsmokers."
3. Strong Reasons Versus Weak Reasons:
A strong reason has the following qualities:
it logically supports the opinion.
it is specific and states the idea clearly.
it is convincing to a majority of people.
E.g. “Smoking in public places should be banned because it’s bad,” is a weak reason. “Smoking in public places should be banned because it’s been proven that the second-hand smoke is as harmful or even worse than the inhaled smoke.”
4. Ways to State Reasons
Comparison: X is _____ er than Y. OR: X is more _____ than Y. (e.g. “Studies show that second-hand smoke is more harmful than the inhaled smoke)
Cause-and-effect: Cause-and-effect: X causes Y. OR: If you do X, then Y will happen. (e.g. Smoking in public places causes more smokers among young people. OR If you smoke in public places, you will endanger not only your health but the health of those around you.
5. Giving Support for Your Reasons (supporting your opinion)
Example: from your own experience or from what you heard or read.
Common Sense: things that you believe everybody knows.
Expert Opinion: the opinions of experts -- this comes from research.
Statistics: numbers -- this also comes from research.
RESOLUTION: Smoking should be banned in public places
Example: For example / for instance / let me give an example
Whenever I go to a restaurant or bar and there are people smoking near me, I feel that I am breathing their smoke. This makes me a smoker even though I don't want to be.
Common Sense: Everyone knows / if...then / it's common knowledge that
Secondhand smoke is very unhealthy for nonsmokers.
Statistics:
Secondhand smoke causes about 250,000 respiratory infections in infants and children every year, resulting in about 15,000 hospitalizations each year.
Expert Opinion: According to.../ to quote.../ the book _____ says...
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, "secondhand smoke causes approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths in nonsmokers each year."
6. Formal Debate Structure The following is a formal debate structureSpeech 1: The first affirmative speaker introduces the topic and states the affirmative team's first argument.Speech 2: The first negative speaker states their first argument. Speech 3: The second affirmative speaker states their second argument.Speech 4: The second negative speaker states their second argument.Speech 5: The negative team states two rebuttals for the affirmative team's two arguments and summarizes their own two reasons. Speech 6: The affirmative team states two rebuttals for the negative team's two arguments and summarizes their own two reasons.
However, in our class we’ll have a simpler Debate structure. You’re working in groups of four students. Students 1 and 3 are members of the “Affirmative team;” Students 2 and 4 are members of the “Negative Team”.

AT Student 1: The resolution (motion), AT Argument 1 supported by reasons.
NT Student 2: Rebuttal of AT Argument 1 and NT Argument 1
AT Student 3: Rebuttal of NT Argument 1 and AT Argument 2
NT Student 4: Rebuttal of AT Argument 2, NT Argument 2, Conclusion
AT Student 1: Rebuttal of NT Argument 2, Conclusion
To come up with the best argument, it is necessary to perform serous group storming of ‘pros’ and ‘cons.’ E.g. RESOLUTION: Students should have a part job

Pros (arguments in favor):
1. It is good for students to have part-time jobs because this helps cultivate independence among young people.
2. Part-time jobs in business can foster a sense of competition, which is important for students in the future.
3. After-school work enhances a young person's social development.
4. Being able to earn their own money gives students a feeling that they've become adults and, therefore, makes them feel more mature.
5. Part-time jobs make students more confident in themselves. Through the work they can realize their own value and prove that they are capable people.
6. Part-time jobs experience gives students an insight into what work is about and prepares them psychologically for their future jobs.
7. After-school work teaches students how hard it is to earn money and helps develop thriftiness in our younger generation.
8. Part-time jobs can help students apply their knowledge in practice. And, in return, their experience will make them know better what they have learned in classes and books.
9. Part-time jobs give students a feeling of achievement through contributing to the national construction and economy.
10. Part-time jobs can make the students' lives more colorful and is good for their personal development.
11. Students who have part-time jobs can relieve, to some extent, the economic burdens of their parents.
12. With the money earned, students can buy many books they like, they can go to study abroad, etc.
13. Because they earn money, students can pay for their education and thus will value their education even more.
14. Part time work helps the economy by providing additional inexpensive labor.
Cons (Arguments against)
1. It's not good for students to do part-time jobs because they will become money-oriented.
2. Many students who have part-time jobs have shown a decline in their studies.
3. Part-time jobs do not help develop a sense of thriftiness among young people. Because many students spend the money on high-priced items and luxuries.
4. Part-time jobs often distract the students' attention away from their studies, and some students even play truant.
5. Some students become juvenile delinquents because they come under the influence of bad people through part-time jobs.
6. Students who have part-time jobs may relieve their parents' economic burdens. But their early contact with society adds greatly to the worries of their parents.
7. Though some after-school work can help students to practice what they learn in classes, many jobs require nothing of the students' knowledge.
8. Some students have become dropouts because they learned to appreciate their own money
9. Because of the low cost of part time workers, employers are tempted to employ only part time and not employ full time workers.
10. Part time workers are not given vacations, sick pay, and health care.
11. Most part time jobs are very menial and do not lead to meaningful full time jobs.



Some topics for debate:
1. International marriage do not work out
2. Money means happiness
3. Medical care should be free and universal
4. Teachers’ performance should be evaluated
5. Corporal punishment by parents and educations should be banned
6. The death penalty is necessary
7. Rich countries should spend more money on global environment protection
8. Eating dog is wrong!
9. There must be intelligent life on other planets
10. Wars are necessary in solving international disputes
11. Women still don’t have the same opportunities as men
12. Free trade makes everybody richer
13. Violent sports (e.g. boxing) should be banned
14. There should be no violence shown on TV as it promotes violence in society
15. Extremist political parties (e.g. Nazis, communists) should be outlawed
16. Income taxes should be reduced
17. Happiness is living in the country, in a secluded house, producing own food, away from others
18. Globalization is inevitable and beneficial for the humankind
19. English should be taught from infancy
20. The Westernization of Korea is necessary and beneficial for Koreans
21. The two Koreas should be united
22. Abortion/euthanasia should be banned
23. Plastic surgery creates a superficial lookist society
24. Japan and Korea can never be true friends
25. Your choice
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Debate Example

RESOLUTION: Income taxes should be reduced

AT Student 1: (States the resolution and argues the value of their position): In our opinion, income taxes should be reduced because an average person would have more money to spent which will lead to the economical growth. When people have more money in their pockets to spend, consumption of goods increases. If consumption of goods increases, the production of goods must increase, too. New factories would be open that will employ new workers, so ultimately the unemployment rate would go down. Also, when people have more money, they use more services, i.e., more haircuts, more visits to beauty salons, amusement parks, more travel. The country would need more service providers, which again calls for many new employees, and the unemployment rate goes drastically down.

NT Student 1: (Rebuttal) Your argument is true: when people have more money, consumption does increase, but the companies who make goods put up their prices. When the unemployment is down, in other words when there’s need for more workers, the workers become demanding – they pressure their employees for better pay. (New argument) High prices of goods and high pay lead to inflation. Inflation ultimately leads to higher and higher prices and the devaluation of money. People will be able to buy less and less with their money, and their purchasing power will go down drastically.

AT Student 2: (Rebuttal). I can see how the immediate effect of a reduction in income tax might cause inflation to rise slightly, and how that can lead to the decreased purchasing power; however, this could be only a short-term effect. (New Argument): The long-term effects would benefit the economy. More people will be working, which will give the economy a boost and the GNP will be higher. The government will get more income from indirect taxes (goods and services tax). People who have money to spend will spend it and will also have to pay tax on every item or service they purchase or consume.

NT Student 2: (Rebuttal) I disagree that the long-term effect is beneficial. Inflation hurts the poor more than the rich and leads to more unemployment in the long run. When the consumers purchasing power goes down, there will be no need for production on a large scale, and many workers will lose their jobs, many factories will be closed. This is no ‘economic boost’, it’s an economic slump. (New Argument). Income tax can be progressive, so it affects the rich more than the poor and profitable companies more than the unprofitable ones****(see the explanation below), but indirect taxes affect everybody. Why shouldn’t the rich be taxed more? Even when they pay high taxes they can still live comfortable lives. Perhaps, they’ll travel a bit less and buy goods that are a bit cheaper, but they will still live the life of luxury. The poor, on the other hand, will be stripped off bare necessities, and the quality of their lives – education and medicare – will go down. So, to keep the balance in the society, income tax should be increased not decreased. (conclusion) I believe that we should increase income taxes and reduce indirect taxes. If we do not do so, the economy will suffer. Why shouldn’t successful people help those less fortunate? It’s the government who made it possible for them to succeed, so why shouldn’t they pay back a little?

AT Student 1. What makes you think that the rich would spend their money on luxuries only? And even if they do, they will demand quality services and goods, which again creates more employment. If profitable companies pay taxes on their profit, they will have no money left to invest in new businesses, which is bad for the economy and the employment rate. The poor will be able to continue enjoying good education and medicare provided by money that comes from goods and services tax. (conclusion) Hence, in our opinion, to keep the economy growing, it’s necessary to increase indirect taxes and decrease income taxes. If successful people and companies are taxed to death, there will be no economic growth. Even the poorest people in a well-run economy can afford to pay goods and services tax, which will ensure that they still have good quality of life.
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****NOTE: In developed countries, in most cases ‘progressive tax’ system is applied, which simply means that the more money an individual makes the more he or she is taxed; likewise, the more profitable companies pay more taxes on their profits. The tax money is used for running the government and governmental services: public transportation, hospitals, schools, universities, pension plans, health insurance, unemployment insurance, etc. The argument is that if they were not so heavily taxed, they would spend more money on goods and services or investing in new companies, which will be good for the economy. On the other hand, if there are no high taxes, the quality of life for the poor goes down.
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Plastic Surgery Pros and Cons


Each good debate participant needs to know the debated subject very well. That's where the research comes in, either from books, the internet, journals, magazines, etc. In the class I gave you a handout with some facts concerning plastic surgery, with some pros and cons. Here's a copy of that handout.
Issues surrounding plastic surgery

In modern society's quest for perfection, cosmetic surgery emerges the victor. The rewards of cosmetic surgery are beauty, youth, and vigor – a modern Fountain of Youth that can be hard to ignore. Yet cosmetic surgery does present significant risks and obstacles that cannot be ignored. Only by weighing the benefits and risks of cosmetic surgery can you determine if the procedure is the right decision for you.

The Pros
Since cosmetic surgery reshapes the natural contours of the body, it can improve those areas that the individual finds unattractive or undesirable. Cosmetic surgery can reduce signs of aging, thereby enhancing the individual's natural beauty and lending to a more vibrant, youthful appearance. It can also repair damage caused by trauma, illness, infection, developmental abnormalities, or heredity.Since the desirable result of cosmetic surgery is a more attractive appearance, successful surgeries can have a strong positive effect on an individual's psychological health. Enhanced beauty can elevate self-esteem, increase a patient's sense of self-confidence, and combat depression. Many individuals will find that they feel more comfortable in the company of others after cosmetic surgery. Still others feel their improved appearance helps them conform to the standard of beauty and vitality expected of them, thereby elevating their status in society, allowing them to have better jobs and be more successful. The Cons
First off, cosmetic surgery is an expensive endeavor that can present a financial hardship for many patients. Many single procedures come with price tags well into the thousands of dollars, and those individuals desiring multiple surgical procedures will easily find themselves with medical bills that far exceed the average worker's yearly income. Also consider that cosmetic surgery is an invasive procedure that seeks to reshape the natural contours of the body. Surgeons must cut, bend, stretch, chisel, poke, and otherwise forcibly manipulate structures of the body into the desired shape in order for the procedure to be a success. This causes undue stress on the body resulting in pain and discomfort, bruising, swelling, and stiffness. The recovery period from cosmetic surgery can be lengthy for some procedures, lasting up to several months. Many procedures, though relatively safe, have the potential for serious complications that may even be permanent in nature. Side-effects such as nerve damage, scarring, infection, and chronic pain may result if a surgery does not go smoothly.Patients must frequently take time away from normal activities for the surgery and subsequent recovery period. This means that patients may have to take time off from work or school and avoid favorite activities such as sports and playing with their kids during the initial recovery period. Many patients also find that they need assistance for a few days after the surgery to help them get around and take care of daily activities.Finally, it is important to remember that the desired results cannot be guaranteed. The potential exists that the surgery will not produce the "ideal" look the patient was seeking in spite of the surgeon's best efforts. Cosmetic surgery is not an exact science, so potential patients need to keep in mind that there is no way to know what the final outcome will look like until the procedure has been performed and the recovery period has passed.
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Both Wednesday and Friday Presentation Class:
Come to your classes prepared: you must have decided by then who is in your 'mock-debate' team, and what your topic (resolution) is. Please exchange emails and phone numbers as you're expected to get together and work on your mock-debate outside of the class time.
NIGHT CLASS ONLY: Each of you must write a proper debate based on the resolution of your own choice. This has nothing to do with your 'debate assignment' but is a make up work for the cancelled class of this week. Do not come to class without it, or you will be marked as absent.