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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 668 · 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.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “fair” (b) “stupid” (c) “interesting” (d) “important”
  2. 2.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  4. 4.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  5. 5.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “I beg to propose.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Over and out.”
  6. 6.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  7. 7.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  8. 8.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  9. 9.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.💬 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) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  11. 11.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  12. 12.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  13. 13.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  16. 16.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.💬 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
  18. 18.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  19. 19.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “you lot” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “those people” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  20. 20.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  21. 21.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  26. 26.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  28. 28.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) tell a long joke (c) greet judges, opponents (d) insult the motion
  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.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “I beg to oppose.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “Over and out.”
  31. 31.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  32. 32.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  33. 33.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  35. 35.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  37. 37.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  40. 40.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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