4. Speaker Roles
FIRST SPEAKER
Gives the team line and model (if needed)
AFFIRMATIVE: States team’s view of the definition
NEGATIVE: Rebuts opponents arguments (approximately
one quarter of speech)
Explains the team split (what they intend to cover and
what 2nd speaker will cover)
Argues a case: introduce 1 or 2 good arguments.
5. Speaker Roles
SECOND SPEAKER
Rebuts main arguments of their opponent: approximately
one-quarter to one-third of speech
Reminds audience of what first speaker covered and what
they are going to cover
Argues a case: introduces about 2 to 3 arguments (other
team makes notes for rebuttal)
Summarizes arguments.
6. Speaker Roles
THIRD SPEAKER
Rebuts opponents’ arguments – about 6-8 rebuttals
(other team makes notes for rebuttal) – three quarters of
speech
Summarizes the arguments of the first and second speaker
Concludes with the team line
8. Matter
Matter is your material – the stuff that you
say.
Worth 40% of your score.
Must have arguments which are backed up by
evidence.
Every argument should pass two tests:
1. Is the argument logical (i.e. does it make sense?)
2. Is the argument relevant (i.e. can it be linked back to
the topic you are arguing?)
9. MatterExample: “People should go vegetarian because
it results in a much healthier diet.”
Example: “A vegetarian diet will be high in
fruits and vegetables, which in turn provides
the body with many more vitamins and
minerals and a much lower amount of fat than
a meat-based diet, all of which help people
live longer, healthier lives.”
Example: For example, a recent British study
found that a vegetarian diet resulted in a 25%
decrease in heart disease, while a vegan diet
saw a 57% lower incident of heart disease
when compared with a meat-based diet.”
10. Manner
Manner relates to your presentation – how
you deliver your speech.
Worth 40% of your score.
An engaging delivery is needed to make sure
that people listen to your arguments.
Includes: tone, volume, pacing hand gestures,
eye contact, stance, and use of notes.
11. method
Your method is how well organised your
speech is and how well you fulfil your
speaker’s role.
Worth 20% of your score.
Clarity and structure!
Determined by things like:
Keeping to the time limit
Clear Signposting
Having a clear team split
12. Method (20%)
o organization of material
o proper fulfillment of
speaker roles
o signposting
o time management
Scoring
Matter (40%)
o general knowledge
o persuasive arguments
o rebuttal
Manner (40%)
o confidence
o voice
o gesture and stance
x 3
(3 speakers)
15. Final Tips:
• Try to have some good rebuttals prepared for the
other team’s strongest/most likely points.
• Good delivery comes from familiarity with what
you are discussing – research thoroughly and
prepare what you can.
• Give us your best points early on – your strongest
arguments should be with your first speaker.
• Don’t go over or under time – pay close attention
to the knocks, start summing up after the first
knock and sit down within a two sentences of
hearing the second knock.