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55 lessons · Showing 1–12
How a debate works
Follow an exchange between two people and see what makes it a debate.
Understand the resolution
Identify the key terms and what each side needs to defend.
Make a clear claim
Turn a broad opinion into a position someone can evaluate.
Explain your reasoning
Show the missing link between a reason and your conclusion.
Build your constructive speech
Present a case the other side can question and you can defend.
Listen and take useful notes
Capture the other side’s claim, support, and unanswered question.
Run your first SuperDebate
Try both sides through constructives, cross-examination, and rebuttals.
Ask one clear question
Test one part of the opposing case and leave room for an answer.
Follow up on an answer
Use what was said to choose the next useful question.
Test a source or statistic
Question the population, method, or inference behind a figure.
Defend your case in cross-ex
Choose what to concede, qualify, or challenge, then handle the follow-up.
Plan a question sequence
Prepare follow-ups for different answers to your first question.
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