Competitive Debate Program Overview

Introduction

• Speaker: Nathan, in charge of the Competitive Debate Program at KYP
• Target Audience: All students aged 12 and above
• Topic of Discussion: Understanding the three types of debate motions
• Context: Competitive debates often provide motions with little preparation time

Types of Debate Motions

Debate motions can be categorized into three main types:

1. Fact Motion

• Definition: Debates focused on determining whether a statement or proposition is true or false
• Nature: Investigative, akin to solving a mystery
• Examples:
  • "This house believes that viewing violent media leads to violent behavior."
  • "This house believes that China and the USA will be allies in the 21st century."
• Considerations: Can involve current or future facts

2. Value Motion

• Definition: Debates addressing the worth or value of a concept or entity
• Nature: Evaluative, assessing the importance or significance of something
• Examples:
  • "Shakespeare is the world's greatest writer."
  • "Happiness is the meaning of life."
  • "Beauty pageants do more harm than good."
• Considerations: Focus on measuring the value and impact

3. Policy Motion

• Definition: Debates that propose a course of action or policy implementation
• Nature: Prescriptive, advocating for changes or actions
• Examples:
  • "This house could legalize drugs."
  • "This house could execute war criminals."
  • "This house would invade North Korea."
• Considerations: May incorporate elements of value or fact but focused on actionable outcomes

Conclusion

• Understanding the type of motion can help in strategic preparation and argument formulation.
• Future sessions will delve deeper into each motion type and how to effectively argue them.

Upcoming Content

• Series of videos covering each type of motion in detail

End of Lecture Notes