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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 559 · 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? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  2. 2.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  4. 4.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  5. 5.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “I beg to oppose.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “Whatever.”
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  7. 7.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  10. 10.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  11. 11.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  13. 13.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  15. 15.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  17. 17.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  18. 18.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “interesting” (c) “stupid” (d) “fair”
  21. 21.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  22. 22.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  23. 23.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  26. 26.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  27. 27.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  28. 28.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  29. 29.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  30. 30.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  32. 32.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  36. 36.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “I beg to propose.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Whatever.”
  37. 37.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite

Answer key

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

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