Debate is about persuasion. Debating is not only about rules. People are persuaded by various means: rational and irrational, logical and illogical.
Persuasion may differ depending on cultural context and local customs D‘Cruz, 2003:3. Persuading people is changing people‘s opinion to agree
with our opinion. In a simple way, debate is a discussion between two sides, in which the first side speakers for and the other against the issue, or vice
versa.
2.2.5 System of Debate
There are three systems of debate; they are Australasian, Asian, and British Parliamentary System Quinn: 2005. A kind of debate technique which is
well known as a competitive debate firstly introduced to students is the Australasia Debate System
.
In Indonesia, Australasian Parliamentary System is used both for high school or university level‘s competition. Regarding this
research, my concern is Australasian and Asian system debate as the system used in ADC and JOVED 2014.
Australasian and Asian debate is a form of academic debate. Australasian and Asian style debates consist of two teams who debate over an
issue, more commonly called a topic or motion. The issue, by convention, is presented in the form of an affirmative statement beginning with That, for
example, That cats are better than dogs, or This House, for example, This House would oblige same sex marriage. The subject of topics varies
from region to region. Each team has three members, each of whom is named according to their team and speaking position within hisher team. The
difference is in the existence of Point of Information which is defined as an short interrupting from other side team during the main speech is delivered.
D‘Cruz 2003:5 explains that in Australasian and Asian Parliamentary System, there are two teams in a match. The teams are
positioned on the government affirmative side and on the opposition negative with some details as follows:
2.2.4.1 Duties of Speakers Each team consists of three speakers. Each speaker speaks for seven minutes
with a warning bell, to give them a little time to sum up and finish the speech.
Debate Student Association 1998:11 had tried to explain the duties of speakers. I tried to compile the table as illustrated below:
Table 2.2 Duties of Speakers by Debate Student Association
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
1
ST
SPEAKER 1.
Introduction 2.
Definition interpretation
3. Team split
4. Arguments
5. Summary of own case
1. Introduction
2. Clarification
optional 3.
Team split 4.
Arguments 5.
Summary of own case
2
ND
SPEAKER 1.
Rebuttal 2.
Arguments 1.
Rebuttal 2.
Arguments
3
RD
SPEAKER 1.
Rebuttal 2.
Summary of team case 3.
Summary of case 1.
Rebuttal 2.
Summary of team case
3. Summary of case
2.2.4.2 Order of Speakers Participants speak in order, alternating sides. The affirmative team speaks
first followed by first negative Quinn, 2005:5. The following diagram shows the order of speakers.
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
Figure 2.1 Order of Speakers Quinn, 2005:5
2.2.6 Terms in Debate
