The Formal Debate

Debate involves having specified class members form teams to test competitively two sides of an issue. The remainder of the class vote for the most convincing team.
The procedure in debate begins with a proposed solution to a problem. A series of carefully timed, formal, spoken arguments are then alternated between an affirmative speaker and a negative speaker.

Propositions. The proposition is the statement being debated. It is stated affirmatively and conclusively, much in the manner of a scientific hypothesis. A debatable proposition is considered to be one of three types: fact, value, or policy. An effective debater can spot the type of proposition he or she must work with and determine what its specific demands are.

FACT. Propositions of fact state that a phenomenon is true or false--for example, "Several modern religious cults use brainwashing techniques to convert young people." (In this case, it might be useful to delimit the proposition by naming a specific religious group.)
Fact propositions demand that the proponent:

1. Assert some externally established criteria of definition, rule, or law generally agreed upon as the basis of fact--"The techniques of brainwashing consist of...."

2. Demonstrate that the phenomenon in question is consistent with the criteria--"X and Y religious groups use the following brainwashing techniques to convert young people."

VALUE. Propositions of value state that a phenomenon is consistent with criteria for evaluating its acceptability--for example, "Psychology can best improve the human condition by directing its efforts toward controlling human behavior."
Value propositions demand that the proponent:

1. Convince the audience that the proponent's own criteria of personal values are acceptable--"The human condition will be improved when everyone is happy and productive."

2. Convince the audience that acceptable criteria of value are fulfilled by the phenomenon in question--"Psychology now has within its grasp the means to make everyone happy and productive."

POLICY. Propositions of policy call for some form of action. In general, they may contain some elements of both fact and value. They are often recognizable by use of the word should and must speculate about the consequences of the action--for example, "As a national policy we should eliminate all forms of violence from television programming."
Policy propositions demand that the proponent convince the audience that the opposed action will be beneficial--"When violence on TV is eliminated, violence in our streets will diminish."
Note that although most of the issues contained in Taking Sides lend themselves to one or another type of proposition, some may be treated as you choose. One issue may ask, for example, "Should Animals Be Used in Psychological Research?" Possible propositions may be as follows:

Fact: "Experiments using animals are essential to the development of many life-saving medical procedures."

Value: "Animal experimentation benefits both humans and animals."

Policy: "Experimental treatments should always be tested on animals before they are tested on humans."

Argument. The argument consists of using both facts and opinions as evidence in the logical analysis of a proposition to enable judges to arrive at a decision. It is essential that all team members be thoroughly familiar with the opposing side's argument. They must be able to select those arguments that are pertinent to the proposition and reject those that are irrelevant in providing rebuttal to the opposing team's evidence.