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Debate · Intermediate · 10 lessons

Intermediate debate

Hold your case together through cross-ex and rebuttal, and take apart the other side’s evidence.

Intermediate · About 5 minTest a source or statistic
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Lesson plan

Cross-examination

Ask questions that set up your arguments, and answer questions without giving away your case.

  1. Cross-examinationIntermediate

    Test a source or statistic

    Question the population, method, or inference behind a figure.

    About 5 minNew
  2. Cross-examinationIntermediate

    Defend your case in cross-ex

    Decide what to concede, qualify or push back on when you are being questioned.

    About 5 minNew

Rebuttal

Answer the arguments from the last speech and show why your case still stands.

  1. RebuttalIntermediate

    Concede and respond

    Give up a point and still win the bigger one.

    About 5 minNew
  2. RebuttalIntermediate

    Defend your reasoning

    Defend the step in your argument they attacked.

    About 5 minNew

Evidence

Find evidence that proves your point, and test the evidence the other side is using.

  1. EvidenceIntermediate

    Separate facts from predictions

    Distinguish an observation, forecast, and value judgment.

    About 4 minNew
  2. EvidenceIntermediate

    Interpret statistics

    Keep denominators, units, and comparison periods intact.

    About 6 minNew

Delivery

Speak so the audience can follow you, even under pressure.

  1. DeliveryIntermediate

    Speak at a clear pace

    Fit your argument to the time while preserving its reasoning.

    About 5 minNew
  2. DeliveryIntermediate

    Use pauses and emphasis

    Use your voice to make the important contrast easy to hear.

    About 4 minNew

Strategy & closing

Weigh the clash and give a closing that crystallizes why your side wins.

  1. Strategy & closingIntermediate

    Allocate speaking time

    Give the central challenge enough explanation and leave space for a close.

    About 5 minNew
  2. Strategy & closingIntermediate

    Explain why your argument matters more

    Tell the audience what should decide the debate, and why.

    About 5 minNew

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