Template for debate speeches

Note: This document is intended as a guide for writing speeches for a debate. Variations may be
necessary depending on the type and level of competition.

First speaker, affirmative team

Introduction
1
2

Good morning/afternoon/evening Mr/Madam Chairman, distinguished guests, teachers and

students.
The topic for our debate is that (Insert the topic of the debate.)

Definition
1

We, the affirmative team, 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.)
We, the affirmative team, believe that this statement is true.

Team split
1
2
3

Today as first speaker, I will be talking to you about (Insert the general heading/s of the
points you will be talking about.)
Our second speaker will be talking about (Insert the headings of the points your second
speaker will be talking about.)
Our third speaker will rebut the negative team and sum up our team case.

Rebuttal
There is no rebuttal for the first affirmative speaker.

Arguments
1
2
3
4

I am going to discuss (insert the number of points. There are usually 2 or 3 points) points.
My first point is (Insert your first point/argument.) This is because/the reason for this is
(Explain the reason that supports your point.)
Now to my second point (Insert your second point.)
This is because (Insert a reason that supports and explains your second point/argument.)

(If you have some more points, insert them here in a similar manner.)

Ending
So Mr/Madam Chairman, distinguished guests, teachers and students, in conclusion
(Finish your debate speech 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.)
Australian Securities and Investments Commission 2015

Template for debate speeches, page 2

First speaker, negative team

Introduction
1
2
3

Good morning/afternoon/evening Mr/Madam Chairman, distinguished guests, teachers and

students.
The topic for our debate is that (Insert the topic of the debate.)
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
oppositions definition is wrong.)
However we, the negative team, believe that this statement is false.

Team split
1
2
3

Today as first speaker I will be talking to you about (Insert the general heading/s of the
points you will be talking about.)
Our second speaker will be talking about (Insert the headings of the points your second
speaker will be talking about.)
Our third speaker will rebut the affirmative case and sum up our team case.

Rebuttal
1

2
3
4

The first speaker from the affirmative team has tried to tell you (During the debate, you
would have listed the main arguments outlined by the first speaker for the affirmative side.
Insert them here.)
This is wrong because (During the debate, write a reason why that point is wrong. Insert it
here.)
S/he also said that (Insert another point for your rebuttal.)
This is wrong because (Insert a reason why that point is wrong.)

Arguments
1
2
3
4
5

I am going to discuss (Insert the number of points. There are usually 2 or 3 points) points. My
first point is (Insert your first point/ argument.)
This is because/the reason for this is (Explain the reason that supports your point/argument.)
Now to my second point. (Insert your second point.)
This is because (Explain the reason that supports your second point/argument.)
My third and final point is (If you have another point insert it here. You can have as many as
you like, within the time limit.)

Ending
So Mr/Madam Chairman, distinguished guests, teachers and students, in conclusion
(Finish your debate speech 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.)

Australian Securities and Investments Commission 2015

Template for debate speeches, page 3

Second speaker, affirmative team

Introduction
1
2
3

Good morning/afternoon/evening Mr/Madam Chairman, distinguished guests, teachers and

students.
The topic for our debate is that (Insert the topic of the debate.)
We, the affirmative team, believe that this statement is true.

Rebuttal
1
2
3
4

The first speaker from the negative team has tried to tell you (During the debate, list the
main arguments outlined by the first speaker for the negative team. Insert them here.)
This is wrong because (During the debate you will write a reason why that point is wrong.
Insert it here.)
S/he also said that (Insert another point for your rebuttal.)
This is wrong because (Insert a reason why that point is wrong.)

Recap
Our first speaker has already explained (Insert the main heading/s of your first speaker.)

Arguments
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Today I will be talking to you about (Insert the number of points. There are usually 2 or 3
points) points. My first point is (Insert your first point/ argument.)
My first point is (Insert your first point/argument here.)
This is because/the reason for this is (Insert a reason explaining your point.)
Now to my second point (Insert your second point.)
This is because (Insert a reason that supports and explains your second point/argument.)
My third and final point is (If you have another point, insert it here. You can have as many
points as you like, within the time limit.)
This is because (Insert another reason explaining your point.)

Ending
So Mr/Madam Chairman, distinguished guests, teachers and students, in conclusion
(Finish your debate speech 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.)

Australian Securities and Investments Commission 2015

Template for debate speeches, page 4

Second speaker, negative team

Introduction
1
2
3

Good morning/afternoon/evening Mr/Madam Chairman, distinguished guests, teachers and

students.
The topic for our debate is that (Insert the topic of the debate.)
We, the negative team, believe that this statement is false.

Rebuttal
1

2
3
4

The second speaker for the affirmative team has tried to tell you (During the debate, you
would have listed the main arguments outlined by the second speaker for the affirmative
team. Insert them here.)
This is wrong because (During the debate you will write a reason why that point is wrong.
Insert it here.)
S/he also said that (Insert another point for your rebuttal.)
This is wrong because (Insert a reason why that point is wrong.)

Recap
Our first speaker has already stated (Insert the main heading/s of your first speaker.)

Arguments
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Today I will be talking to you about (Insert the number of points. There are usually 2 or 3
points) points.
Now to my first point (Insert your first point/ argument.)
This is because/the reason for this is (Insert a reason explaining your point.)
Now to my second point (Insert your second point.)
This is because (Insert a reason that supports and explains your second point/argument.)
My third and final point is (If you have another point, insert it here. You can have as many
points as you like, within the time limit.)
This is because (Insert another reason explaining your point.)

Ending
So Mr/Madam Chairman, distinguished guests, teachers and students, in conclusion
(Finish your debate speech 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.)

Australian Securities and Investments Commission 2015

Template for debate speeches, page 5

Third speaker, affirmative team

Introduction
1
2
3

Good morning/afternoon/evening Mr/Madam Chairman, distinguished guests, teachers and

students.
The topic for our debate is that (Insert the topic of the debate.)
We, the affirmative team, believe that this statement is true.

Rebuttal
1
2
3
4

The first speaker for the negative has tried to tell you (During the debate, list the main
arguments outlined by the first speaker for the negative team. Insert them here.)
This is wrong because (During the debate write a reason why that point is wrong. Insert it
here.)
The second negative speaker has tried to tell you (During the debate, list the main
arguments outlined by the second speaker for the negative team. Insert them here.)
This is wrong because (During the debate write a reason why what your oppositions second
speaker has said is wrong. If you have some more points list them as well.)

Summary
1
2
3
4
5
6

As third speaker it is your job to summarise your case. You do this by listing the points of your
first and second speaker.
Our first speaker spoke to you about (Insert your first speakers first argument. Include a
reason to support this argument.)
S/he also spoke about (Insert your first speakers second argument. Include a reason to
support this argument.)
Our second speaker told you that (Insert your second speakers first argument. Include
reasons to support this argument.)
S/he also said that (Insert your second speakers second argument. Include reasons to
support this argument.
Make sure that you have included all your teams arguments and reasons.)

Ending
So Mr/Madam Chairman, distinguished guests, teachers and students, in conclusion our team
believes
(As the final speaker for your team it is important to end your speech with a really memorable and
powerful statement. If you cant think of anything to say you may say thank you to finish.)

Australian Securities and Investments Commission 2015

Template for debate speeches, page 6

Third speaker, negative team

Introduction
1
2
3

Good morning/afternoon/evening Mr/Madam Chairman, distinguished guests, teachers and

students.
The topic for our debate is that (Insert the topic of the debate.)
We, the negative team, believe that this statement is false.

Rebuttal
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

The first affirmative speaker has tried to tell you (During the debate, list the main arguments
outlined by the first speaker for the affirmative team. Insert them here.)
This is wrong because (During the debate write a reason why what your oppositions first
speaker has said is wrong. Insert it here.)
The second affirmative speaker has tried to tell you (During the debate write what your
oppositions second speaker has said. Insert it here.)
This is wrong because (During the debate write a reason why what your oppositions second
speaker has said is wrong. Insert it here.)
The third affirmative speaker has tried to tell you (During the debate write what your
oppositions third speaker has said, if that is important. Insert it here.)
This is wrong because (During the debate write a reason why what your oppositions third
speaker has said is wrong. Insert it here.)
Try to rebut as many of the oppositions points as you can.

Summary
1
2
3
4
5
6

As third speaker it is your job to summarise your teams case. You do this by listing the points
of your first and second speakers.
Our first speaker spoke to you about (Insert your first speakers first point. Include a reason
to support this argument.)
S/he also said that (Insert your first speakers second point. Include a reason to support this
argument.)
Our second speaker spoke to you about (Insert your second speakers first point. Include a
reason to support this argument.)
S/he also stated that (Insert your second speakers second point. Include a reason to support
this argument.)
Make sure that you have included all the arguments for your team.

Ending
So Mr/Madam Chairman, distinguished guests, teachers and students, in conclusion we believe
(As the final speaker for the negative, finish your speech with a really memorable and powerful
statement. If you cant think of anything to say you may say thank you to finish.)

Australian Securities and Investments Commission 2015