Students' guide: so where do I begin?
You begin right here! Look through all of the sections in this students’ guide and watch our training DVD (available from your teacher). If your teacher does not have a copy, please email Róisín or Evanna at debates@concern.net and we will post you a copy of the DVD. Make sure to log on regularly to the debates homepage. This is where all the action takes place; motions, pairings, research links and dates appear here first.
Join our blog
Let us know what you think! Join the debate on our blog by commenting on our posts or by joining us as a guest blogger. To become a guest blogger, email us your opinions on motions, debates stories or anything else you can think of that is in any way debates-related. The piece should be 200-500 words. If you send us in a photo to go with it, that would be even better!
Get your team in place
Each team should consist of four speakers, plus as many substitutes. Each team should also have researchers, a timekeeper and as many other “groupies” as you can find. (Everyone that participates in the debates or assists your team will receive a certificate.) Another important thing to do is to select your team captain. Your captain will have the job of defining how your team interprets the motion and of introducing briefly the other members of the team and their arguments. Your captain also sums up your team’s arguments, and refutes the arguments of your opponents at the end of the debate.
Once you receive your motion, the whole team should get together and discuss it, especially your “side” of the motion. Teams proposing the motion must defend the motion; those opposing the motion must argue against the motion.
Plan your approach
During this discussion you should plan your approach. Will you use a team line? i.e. will your captain be the “Taoiseach”, with the rest of the team acting as “cabinet members”? Each of your points/arguments will arise from your ministerial position.
Next step: begin your research.
- Click here to return to the students' guide mainpage
