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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 423 · 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? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  2. 2.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  3. 3.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) greet judges, opponents (b) tell a long joke (c) start shouting (d) insult the motion
  4. 4.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  6. 6.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  7. 7.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  8. 8.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  9. 9.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  11. 11.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  12. 12.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  13. 13.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “interesting” (b) “important” (c) “fair” (d) “stupid”
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  16. 16.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  18. 18.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  19. 19.💬 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) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  20. 20.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  22. 22.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  24. 24.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  25. 25.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “hey, you there” (b) “my worthy opponents” (c) “you lot” (d) “those people”
  28. 28.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  30. 30.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  34. 34.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  35. 35.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  37. 37.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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