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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 258 · 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.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  2. 2.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “fair” (b) “interesting” (c) “important” (d) “stupid”
  3. 3.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  5. 5.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  6. 6.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  7. 7.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  9. 9.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  11. 11.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  12. 12.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  13. 13.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  15. 15.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “you lot” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  16. 16.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  19. 19.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  21. 21.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  23. 23.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) greet judges, opponents (c) start shouting (d) tell a long joke
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  26. 26.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.💬 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) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  28. 28.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  30. 30.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  31. 31.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “I beg to oppose.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Over and out.”
  32. 32.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  33. 33.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  34. 34.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  36. 36.💬 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) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  37. 37.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  38. 38.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite

Answer key

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

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