Handbook for Classroom Debating

Part I – Origins and Motivations

• Chapter 1 – Introduction 
Bloom’s Taxonomy 
Decision Making 
Debate Training Combats Misinformation 
Debate Is Empowerment 
Where Is Debate? 
Debate as Play 
Debate Makes Better Students 
These Reasons Make Debate Useful 
Exercises 

• Chapter 2 – History 
Corax and Tisias 
Sophists 
Aristotle 
Toulmin Model 
Discussion Questions 

• Chapter 3 – Ethics 
What Are Ethics? 
Ethical Systems 
Critical Theory 
Source Credibility 
Logical Fallacies 
Discussion Questions 

Part II – Propositions and Arguments

• Chapter 4 – Propositions 
Best Practices for Proposition Creation 
Presumption and Burdens 
Discussion Questions 
Chapter 5 – Debating Propositions of Policy 
Stock Issues 
Competition and Policy Debates 
Discussion Questions 

• Chapter 6 – Debating Propositions of Value and Fact 
Definitive Issues 
Designative Issues 
Discussion Questions 

Part III – Debates and Debating

• Chapter 7 – Flowing and Refutation 
Flowing 
Refutation 
Impact Analysis and Weighing Issues 

• Chapter 8 – Types of Debating 
Cross-Examination (Policy) Debate 
Lincoln-Douglas Debate 
Parliamentary Debate 
British Parliamentary 
Public Forum aka “Ted Turner Debate” 
Congressional Debate 
International Public Debate Association (IPDA) Debate 
The IPDA Debate 

• Chapter 9 – Political Debating 
Presidential Debates—Pre-Debate 
Tips to Win a Presidential Debate 
Local Elections and Political Debates 
Audience Interests and Numbers 
Discussion Questions 

• Chapter 10 – Future of Debating 
Worldwide Growth of Debate 
Technology in Debate 
New Debate Brings New Ethical Considerations 
Discussion Questions