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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 434 · 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? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  2. 2.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) greet judges, opponents (c) start shouting (d) tell a long joke
  3. 3.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.💬 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) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  5. 5.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  7. 7.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “you lot” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  8. 8.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  10. 10.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  11. 11.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  12. 12.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  13. 13.💬 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
  14. 14.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  16. 16.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  18. 18.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  20. 20.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  21. 21.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  22. 22.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  23. 23.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  30. 30.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  31. 31.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “interesting” (c) “fair” (d) “stupid”
  35. 35.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  37. 37.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “Whatever.”
  39. 39.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite

Answer key

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

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