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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 123 · 40 questions
TalentJR

Debater's tip (Disagree with respect): Open: “Respected judges, worthy opponents…”, “Let me begin by defining the motion.” Rebut: “With respect…”, “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…”. Evidence: “According to…”, “The record shows…”. Close: “For all these reasons…”, “I beg to propose / oppose.” Polite: disagree with the idea, respect the person.

NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
  1. 1.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  2. 2.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  3. 3.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  4. 4.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  6. 6.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  7. 7.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  10. 10.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “my worthy opponents” (b) “those people” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “you lot”
  11. 11.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  13. 13.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  15. 15.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  16. 16.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  17. 17.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  18. 18.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “Whatever.”
  19. 19.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  22. 22.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  26. 26.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “I beg to propose.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Over and out.”
  27. 27.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  29. 29.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) greet judges, opponents (b) tell a long joke (c) start shouting (d) insult the motion
  30. 30.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  32. 32.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  36. 36.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point

Answer key

  1. opens a speech
  2. True
  3. True
  4. opens a speech
  5. impolite
  6. rebuts a point
  7. False
  8. False
  9. polite
  10. “my worthy opponents”
  11. True
  12. polite
  13. True
  14. True
  15. gives evidence
  16. True
  17. rebuts a point
  18. “I beg to oppose.”
  19. False
  20. True
  21. polite
  22. True
  23. False
  24. False
  25. impolite
  26. “I beg to propose.”
  27. True
  28. impolite
  29. greet judges, opponents
  30. False
  31. opens a speech
  32. False
  33. False
  34. False
  35. impolite
  36. True
  37. False
  38. True
  39. False
  40. rebuts a point

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