Outline Template for Final Debates

The structure of a constructive speech for your final debates will be very similar to the outline of Student Congress debates. The major difference will be in the Negative constructive speech and rebuttals. You need to directly refute the arguments of your opponents. You can refute an opponent's argument in the following manner:

According to Joe Bob's statement in part two, section A of his speech, "Man is a selfish being." I have two responses:

1. If man is selfish, then why is is the most common relationship among humans is marriage? According to David Hume, "the natural relationship in humankind is the connection between partners at the physical, emotional, and spiritual state." Hume shows we need connections with another in order to exist.

2. Job Bob completely ignores the altruistic characteristics of people. John Dewey in his work Democracy and Education explains people naturally emphatize with others when the other person is in distress. If man is wholly selfish he/she would never demonstrate altruistic behavior.

In each example, Joe Bob's opponent directs the audience to the major argument responses (Claim), provides rationale from philosophers to support the responses (data), and explains how the data proves his/her point (warrant).