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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 443 · 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? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  2. 2.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “stupid” (b) “interesting” (c) “important” (d) “fair”
  4. 4.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  5. 5.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  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: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  9. 9.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  10. 10.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  13. 13.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “I beg to propose.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  14. 14.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  16. 16.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  17. 17.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  19. 19.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  21. 21.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “my worthy opponents” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “you lot”
  22. 22.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) greet judges, opponents (c) tell a long joke (d) insult the motion
  23. 23.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  26. 26.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  28. 28.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  29. 29.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  30. 30.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  31. 31.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  34. 34.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  36. 36.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  39. 39.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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