anyone know anything about debates?

[Hero]

We're doing debates in English. What that has to do with literature, I do not know. In my group I'm the cross examiner and the rebuttalist. This is what I have to do for the rebuttal:

IV. Rebuttalist (2 minutes)
A. Sum up the argument your team has presented.
B. Use new evidence but do not bring up new points, use quotes.
C. Refute your opponents' points (say why what they believe is wrong).
D. Provide conclusion.

How am I supposed to do C if I haven't even heard the other sides arguement?

 

[Verrvemesh]

hey hero

hmmm. Perhaps a little unorthodox tactics are in order. Whenever the other group says a point, be really obnoxious, like sighing or sneezing, scoffing, coughing obscenities, or in their face laughing. If anything, to mess up there rhythm, ask questions and disrupt to mess up rhythm. If you do any of these rude but essential debate skills, make sure you go second, because your likely to get it back even worse, but it may work because you could claim they're being lame and the teacher will see it and penalize them, so who knows.

in regards to your question hero, that's where you gonna have to pull a sun zu and know your arguments strengths well, but know your arguements weaknesses even better. You have the opportunity to dissmantle their whole arguement by anticipating and counterpointing their arguement. If successful, you should be able to put up a convincing arguement and have a good chance at winning. Or getting an A. Whichever you prefer. Whatever happens though, good luck.

 

[Anita Blake]

Well, it would depend on what kind of debating you're doing. LD or CX, and whether or not, your actually going to be able to listen to the other side. I was in debate for all of high school, made it to state twice, and I do some judging for local high schools every now and then. I'm more than willing to help in anyone I can.

 

[Hero]

I got a 90 on my debate. I wrecked the people I had to cross examine. Go team me! Um... I have no idea what LX and CD mean...

 

[Anita Blake]

I don't know whether I'm following the conversation or not, lol. Post what? ???

 

[Hero]

I think what the difference between LCS and LX or whatever is lol

 

[Anita Blake]

Oh, well that's easy.

LD - Lincoln-Douglas style debating, is a one on one method, in which each person takes an opposite view of the problem, and they both try to convince the judge that their opinion is the best one, using any information, or arguments that pop into their heads.

CX - Cross-Examination style debating, is for two-person teams, in which the affirmative team must come up with a resolution and plan to fix the "problem" being debated. They must use actual scientific evidence, case stuides, and quotes from officials in the field to back up their case. The negative team must find loop-holes and prove at least one way in which it is flawed and couldn't work. They also must use evidence like the affirmative.

LD also only takes about 45 minutes to an hour, while CX can be anywhere between 1 1/2 to 2 hours.