Debate

DEBATE FORMAT

COIN TOSS

It starts with a coin toss to choose a side. So each team must be ready to argue on any side that may come up. Then a coin toss to see which team goes first.

MATERIAL PROVIDED BY SCHOOL

One A5 paper of a certain colour for each student

ALLOWED FROM HOME : For Electric Saturdays

Any gadgets, any books, any knowledgeable people to consult (not more than 2 external people per participant which means not more than 10 external people per team at any point of time. If you have more people, they can take turns coming into the debate classroom with the permission of the teacher-judge in the room), pen/pencil

ALLOWED FROM HOME : For school hours competitions

Any books, notes, printouts, pen/pencil. Since it is being conducted during school hours, no gadgets are allowed.

RULES : For Electric Saturdays

• Upper time limit must be followed by each speaker. The speaker will have to stop immediately when the timer rings.
• It is not mandatory for every team member to speak, but time forfeited by one speaker cannot be passed on ahead to another in the same team.
• Students are allowed to consult with their parents etc. in the break time only
• Students can refer to any gadgets in the break but they are only allowed to carry the paper given to them (with whatever notes they may write on that paper only) at the beginning of the debate when break time is over. Students are allowed to refer to that paper even during their speaking time. They can exchange these note papers within the team.
• Language of the debate is ENGLISH only

RULES: For School Hours Competitions

• Upper time limit must be followed by each speaker. The speaker will have to stop immediately when the timer rings.
• It is not mandatory for every team member to speak, but time forfeited by one speaker cannot be passed on ahead to another in the same team.
• Students are allowed to consult their notes during the breaks only.
• Students can only be allowed to carry the paper given to them (with whatever notes they may write on that paper only) at the beginning of the debate when break time is over. Students are allowed to refer to that paper even during their speaking time. They can exchange these note papers within the team.
• Students must prepare for both sides of the argument. While you can plan your introduction, the reaction round will be more dynamic, where you’ll need to adapt your arguments based on the opposing team’s presentation.
• Language of the debate is ENGLISH only.

MARKING SCHEME

Points will be given based on the following criteria:

• Was the content of the speech relevant to the round?
• Were the speakers able to stay within the time limit? (Consider Min - Max time, the points should not just be repeated over and over to stay within this time)
• Were the speakers speaking confidently? (Consider body language, no shaking of voice, no random looking at the floor or ceiling, only occasional glancing at notes)
• Were the speakers speaking fluently? (consider no umms and aahs, gulps etc. Grammatical mistakes or pronunciation mistakes are ok but the speakers should go ahead without stalling and speak in a good tone trying to make the audience understand)
• Was the team able to present the argument as a continuous pitch? (Were their pitches connected, was the flow good, no repetition of points, a good beginning and conclusion within their team pitch)

"GYAAN" 🙂 (FOR THE PARENTS)

• There are multiple goals of development when students participate in events like this. So resist the urge to jump in and help at the first sign of trouble that the student seems to face.
• Encourage your child to go and talk to other students and try to become part of a team on their own.
• Even if the child is shy, this is a great way to work towards overcoming this fear in a safe setting.
• Finally, we are there to help the child participate. But let us encourage our children to do this on their own. This is all a part of developing a strong, bold personality.
• Also, when they are researching and discussing these topics, there will be fights. We again encourage you to let the kids sort it out amongst themselves. Another learning lesson for them!
• If it becomes a problem and is brought to the teacher's attention, we will mediate. But a great idea is to share your experiences at the workplace, maybe even within the family - on how you deal with difficult people yourself.
• Great dinnertime conversations and good bonding with these soon-to-be-adults, isn't it?
• So, resist the urge to jump in or pass judgment. This is the kid's stage - let them have their own learnings, so they have these stories of their own to share later, as adults!