This method requires you to work alone first, discuss as a group, and then work independently again. Decide if this is the right method for your team and topic.
If your topic is, “Should abortion be legal?” you may begin by listing reasons for both sides of the argument. Think of what most intelligent people say about the topic. Remember to focus on how your side will approach presenting convincing arguments and counter-arguments.
Both teams must prepare a definition of abortion that is accurate. Remember that you should not create a definition that tricks the other team or that confines the debate to a specific place or time. Decide on an approach to the case. Maybe you want to focus on women’s rights or family values. No matter the approach, remember that you’ll need to assign specific arguments for each speaker.
The affirmative team’s speakers might develop strong arguments for abortion that are backed by historical facts. For example, “Abortion should be legal because the U. S. supreme court declared it a fundamental right after Roe v. Wade. ”[4] X Research source . The negative side may present moral arguments like, “Abortion should not be legal because it is murder and fetuses feel pain during the procedure. ” [5] X Research source The third speakers should take this time to look critically at the case. Determine weakness that the other team may find in your arguments. Prepare to defend your case accordingly. The affirmative side might consider that some supreme court justices believe that Roe v. Wade should be overturned. The negative side may find that a fetus is not considered a legal person since it cannot survive outside the womb.
All speakers should share their main arguments. Other team members must bring up any flaws and how they can be fixed. For example, someone may have remembered that some religious organizations support a woman’s right to reproductive choice. This may be an important point to consider for both sides.
Clarify how the second or third speaker will respond to any opposing challenges to your main points.
This method requires that everyone develop a full case and then collaborate afterwards. Decide if this method is appropriate for your team and the given topic.
Brainstorming individually can help you think of and present more ideas during a debate. Use this time to create definitions or look for facts. List arguments and counter-arguments if time allows. For example, if the topic is abortion, start with a definition for abortion that is clear. Create a general case and list the main arguments that you think your team should use. [9] X Research source You might focus a general case for abortion on the life of the pregnant woman. The first speaker could discuss reproductive rights and female empowerment. The second speaker might give facts on the financial difficulties with unwanted pregnancies and highlight that women who are denied abortion can face psychological issues. The third speaker may defend possible opposing arguments by focusing on historical cases, legal definitions of people, and medical advancements.
Sharing should be brief as details can be filled in later.
The goal here is to create all arguments as a team. Do not assign tasks to individual speakers.
At this point, the team should ensure that everyone understands the path that the case will take. It may be useful to highlight goals and strategies to use during the debate. As the development is primarily a group effort, the case may evolve quickly. An individual team member may have initially focused an abortion case on the rights of the mother, but the final group focus may be on developing healthy families.
