Speech Structure Templates - Debating SA Incorporated

First Affirmative Speaker Template 1 

INTRODUCTION 

1. Good afternoon Mr/Madam 

Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen. 

(Use Madam or Mr depending 

upon the gender of the Chairman.) 

2. The topic for our debate is 

“That… 

DEFINITION 

2A. We define the topic as (Explain 

what the topic means. Define the 

key or important words in the topic. 

Use a dictionary to help you. You 

should make sure that the topic is 

clearly explained in a sentence or 

two.) 

3. We the affirmative team believe 

that this statement is true. 

TEAM SPLIT 

3A. Today as first speaker I will be 

talking to you about (Write down 

the general heading/s of the points 

you will be talking about.) 

3B. Our second speaker will be 

talking about (Write down the 

headings of the points your second 

speaker will be talking about.) 

ARGUMENTS 

8. I am going to discuss .... points 

9. My first point is (Write down your 

first point/argument.) 

10. This is because/the reason for 

this is (Explain the reason that 

supports your point.) 

11. Now to my second point (Write 

down your second point.) 

12. This is because (Write down a 

reason that supports and explains 

your second point/argument.) 

If you have some more points, 

continue to list them. 

ENDING 

13. So Mr/Madam Chairman, Ladies 

and Gentlemen, in conclusion 

(Finish you debate with a sentence 

that sums up what your team 

believes. You can use humour or a 

quote or you may say ‘thank you’ 

to finish.) 

Our third speaker will rebut and 

sum up our team case. 

REBUTTAL 

4-7 There is no rebuttal for the first 

affirmative speaker. 

Created by Debating SA 2007. Visit us at www.debatingsa.com.au.

First Negative Speaker Template 2 

INTRODUCTION 




upon the gender of the Chairman) 


“That… 

3. We agree with the definition 

given by the affirmative team. 

OR 

We disagree with the definition 

given by the opposition. (If you 

disagree explain why the 

opposition’s definition is wrong.) 

However, we the negative team 

believe that this statement is false. 

TEAM SPLIT 

3A. Today as first speaker I will be 

talking to you about (Write down 

the main heading/s of the point/s 

you will be talking about.) 

3B. Our second speaker will be 

talking about (Write down the main 

heading/s of the point/s your 

second speaker will be talking 

about.) 

Our third speaker will rebut and 

sum up our team case. 

REBUTTAL 

4. The first speaker of the affirmative 

team has tried to tell you (During 

the debate you will write down on 

your rebuttal card what your 

opposition has said.) 

5. This is wrong because (During the 

debate you will write a reason why 

that point is wrong.) 

6. S/he also said that (Write down 

another point that was made onto 

your rebuttal card.) 


debate write down a reason why 

that point is wrong.) 

ARGUMENTS 

8. I will be discussing .... points. 


first point/ argument.) 


this is (Explain the reason that 

supports your point/argument.) 

11. Now to my second point. (Write 

down your second point) 

12. This is because (Explain the 

reason that supports your second 

point/argument.) 

You may have more points. 

Continue to list them in the same 

manner. 

ENDING 


and Gentlemen, in conclusion we… 

(Finish your debate with a sentence 




to finish.) 


Second Affirmative Speaker Template 3 

INTRODUCTION 




upon the gender of the Chairman.) 


“That… 



REBUTTAL 

4. The first speaker from the 

negative team has tried to tell you 

(During the debate you will write on 

your rebuttal card what the first 

negative said.) 


debate you will write down a 

reason why that point is wrong.) 

6. S/he has also said that (If you 

have another rebuttal point write 

that down.) 

7. This is wrong because (Again 

write down a reason why that point 

is wrong.) 

RECAP 

7A. Our first speaker has already 

explained (State the main 

heading/s of your first speaker.) 


first point/argument.) 


this is (Write down a reason 

explaining your point.) 

11. Now to my second point (Write 

down your second point.) 

This is because (Write down a 

reason that supports and explains 

your second point/argument.) 

12. My third and final point is (If you 

have another point write that 

down. You can have as many 

points as you like.) 

This is because (Write down 

another reason explaining your 

point.) 

ENDING 

13. So Mr/ Madam Chairman, 

Ladies and Gentlemen, in 

conclusion 

(Finish you debate with a sentence 




to finish.) 

ARGUMENTS 

8. Today I will be talking to you 

about .... points. 


Second Negative Speaker Template 4 

INTRODUCTION 




upon the gender of the Chairman) 


“That… 

3. We the negative team believe 

that this statement is false. 

REBUTTAL 

4. The second affirmative speaker 

has tried to tell you (During the 

debate write what the opposition 

has said on your rebuttal card.) 


debate you will write a reason why 

what your opposition has said is 

wrong.) 

6. S/he also said that (If you have 

another rebuttal point write that 

down.) 

7. This is wrong because (Again 

write down a reason why that point 

is wrong) 

RECAP 

7A. Our first speaker has already 

stated 

(State the main heading/s of your 

first speaker.) 

ARGUMENTS 

8. Today I will be talking to you 

about .... points 

9. Now to my first point 

(Write down your first point/ 

argument.) 


this is (Give a reason to explain 

your point.) 

11. Now to my second point. 

(Write down your second point) 

This is because (Give a reason to 

explain this point.) 

12. My third and final point is (List a 

third or fourth point if you have 

them.) 

This is because 

Use as many or few points as you 

need. 

ENDING 


and Gentlemen, in conclusion 

(Finish your debate with an 

interesting sentence that sums up 

what your team believes. You can 

use humour or a quote or you may 

say ‘thank you’ to finish.) 


Third Affirmative Speaker Template 5 

INTRODUCTION 



(Use Madam or Mr depending on 

the gender of the Chairman.) 


“That… 



REBUTTAL 

4. The first negative speaker has 

tried to tell you (During the debate 

write on your rebuttal card what 

your opposition’s first speaker has 

said.) 


debate write a reason why what 

your opposition’s first speaker has 

said is wrong. If you have some 

more points then list them as well.) 

6. The second negative speaker 

has tried to tell you (During the 

debate write what your 

opposition’s second speaker has 

said.) 


debate write a reason why what 

your opposition’s second speaker 

has said is wrong. If you have some 

more points list them as well.) 

SUMMARY 

As third speaker it is your job to 

summarise your case. You do this 

by listing the points of your first and 

second speaker. 

8. Our first speaker spoke to you 

about (List your first speaker’s first 

argument. Include a reason to 

support this argument.) 

9. S/he also spoke about (List your 

first speaker’s second argument. 

Include a reason to support this 

argument.) 

10. Our second speaker told you 

that (List your second speaker’s first 

argument. Include reasons to 

support this argument.) 

11. S/he also said that. (List your 

second speaker’s second 

argument. Include reasons to 

support this argument. 

12. Make sure that you have 

included all your side’s arguments 

and reasons. 

ENDING 


and Gentlemen, in conclusion our 

team (As the final speaker for your 

side it is important to end your 

debating with a really compelling 

influential and powerful statement. 

If you can’t think of anything to say 

you may say ‘thank you’ to finish) 


Third Negative Speaker Template 6 

INTRODUCTION 


Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen 

(Use Madam or Mr depending upon 

the gender of the Chairman.) 


“That… 

3. We the negative team believe that 

this statement is false. 

REBUTTAL 

4. The first affirmative speaker has tried 

to tell you (During the debate write 

what your opposition’s first speaker 

has said on a rebuttal card.) 


debate write a reason why what your 

opposition’s first speaker has said is 

wrong.) 

6. The second affirmative speaker has 

tried to tell you (During the debate 

write on a rebuttal card what your 

opposition’s second speaker has said.) 



opposition’s second speaker has said 

is wrong.) 

The third affirmative speaker has tried 

to tell you (During the debate write on 

a rebuttal card what your opposition’s 

third speaker has said if that is 

important.) 

SUMMARY 

As third speaker it is your job to 

summarise your team’s case. You do 

this by listing the points of your first and 

second speakers. 

8. Our first speaker spoke to you about 

(List your first speaker’s first point. 


argument.) 

9. S/he also said that (List your first 

speaker’s second point. Include a 

reason to support this argument.) 

10. Our second speaker spoke to you 

about (List your second speaker’s first 

point. Include a reason to support this 

argument.) 

11. S/he also stated that (List your 

second speaker’s second point. 


argument.) 

12. Make sure that you have included 

all the arguments for your side. 

ENDING 


and Gentlemen, in conclusion we, (As 

the final speaker for the negative, 

finish your debate with a really 

compelling, influential and powerful 

statement. If you can’t think of 

anything to say you may say ‘thank 

you’ to finish) 

This is wrong because (During the 


opposition’s third speaker has said is 

wrong.) 

Try to rebut as many of the 

opposition’s points as you can.

Speech Structure Templates - Debating SA Incorporated

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template ?