DEBATE EXPRESSIONS

Opinions, Preferences:

 I think  As far as I'm  It is fairly certain

concerned that
 In my opinion
 If it were up to me  I'm convinced that
 I'd like to
 I suppose  I honestly feel that
 I'd rather
 I suspect that  I strongly believe
that
 I'd prefer
 I'm pretty sure
that  Without a doubt
 The way I see it

Disagreeing:

 I don't think that  Shouldn't we  Let's face it

consider
 Don't you think it  The truth of the
would be better  But what about matter is

 I don't agree, I'd  I'm afraid I don't  The problem with

prefer agree your point of view
is that
 Frankly, I doubt if

Giving Reasons and offering explanations:

 To start with, The  That's the reason  Allowing for the

reason why why fact that

 That's why  Many people think  When you consider

that
 For this reason  Considering

How many expressions did I use? ________________/34

 Debate Format

1) PRO position presentation (5 min)

2) CON position presentation (5 min)

3) Team meeting (5 min)

A) Organize thoughts/prepare rebuttal

4) PRO rebuttal (5 min)

5) CON rebuttal (5 min)

6) Resolution

Position Presentation

A) Proposition (judgment expressed in a declarative statement)

B) Issues (Assertions that function as the basic reasons for adoption of proposition)

C) Argument (Assertions that are the result of reasoning)

D) Evidence (Statements of fact or opinion which makes an assertion acceptable to the

audience)

Rebuttal

A) Direct (Refers to a specific piece of information)

B) Open (Allows the respondent to amplify ideas)

C) Probing (Similar to open, but directed at a specific line of reasoning)

D) Leading (Series of questions leading to an answer that refutes the whole case)