The+Jerusalem+Debate+Club


 * DEBATING in** **Jerusalem**


 * SOPHIE TAUB**

Table of contents

Question. · Rationale. · The Basic Rules of Debating. · The Debating Club in Jerusalem. · My Experience as a Debater and Public Speaker. · Creative Piece · Bibliography

There are really three reasons that I chose this subject. Firstly, we were told write a project about something we can talk about as that is what we will be asked to do in our oral exam. I thought long and hard and finally I decided to write about how I speak – namely debating. Secondly I feel it is an interesting subject to find out more about since I have been very involved in debating here in Jerusalem. Lastly, I have been surprised to learn how many different types of debating and public speaking there are, and I thought it would be interesting to explore them.

__My Experience as a Debater and Public Speaker__ I have to blame my good friend Anna for my involvement in debating. In 8th grade she bullied me into joining her for a summer workshop in debating in Hartman School in Jerusalem. It turned to be a lot of fun, and just up my alley. I'm usually reprimanded for being argumentative and here people were praising me for it! After the summer workshop I joined a weekly debating club. Every week we would be given different motions and had to debate them. Usually be given the motion a week before, but not told if we were arguing in favour (proposition) or against (opposition). This year, I was chosen to be a member of Israel's team in the World Individuals Debating and Public Speaking Competition which will take place in South Africa. In the competition there are four different types of public speaking that each competitor has to do. First, there is a debate – much like the debates I am used to. However, you will only be given 45 minutes to prepare for the debate after being told the motion. The next task is called "impromptu speaking". Here you were given a word or phrase, like "Yesterday" or "Just another brick in the wall" and with only three minutes warning you have to speak about the subject for five minutes. Even for a big talker like me, this is no easy task. The third competition is a reading competition. Each contestant has to choose a reading from any book they wished for about 10 minutes. There are an amazing selections of readings people have chosen, from slushy romantic novels, to gruesome horror stories. I plan on reading a unique piece from the bible I believe it is very original and will fascinate non Jews and Jews alike. The final part of the competition is the "persuasive speech". Each contestant has to make a 10-13 minute speech arguing a certain cause or idea. I plan to speak about the problem of the media invading the privacy of famous people, and suggest that we have one day a year when no gossip is allowed on the TV, radio or in the newspapers.

__Creative piece__

__Top Ten Tips for debating and public speaking__

2. Know the audience. Greet some of the audience as they arrive. It's easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers. 3. Know your material. If you're not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase. Practice your speech and revise it if necessary. 4. Relax. Ease tension by doing exercises. 5. Visualize yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear, and assured. When you visualize yourself as successful, you will be successful. 6. Realize that people want you to succeed. Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative, and entertaining. They don't want you to fail. 7. Don't apologize. If you mention your nervousness or apologize for any problems you think you have with your speech, you may be calling the audience's attention to something they hadn't noticed. Keep silent. 8. Concentrate on the message -- not the medium. Focus your attention away from your own anxieties, and outwardly toward your message and your audience. Your nervousness will dissipate. 9. Turn nervousness into positive energy. Harness your nervous energy and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm 10. Gain experience. Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking. ||
 * In the various workshops I have done, we have been given lots of tips for public speaking. Her are my top ten: ||
 * 1. Know the room. Be familiar with the place in which you will speak. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY – ENJOY! IF YOU ENJOY…THE AUDIENCE WILL TOO!.

__The Rules of Debating__ There are many different types of debating, each with its own rules. Most of them are based on similar ideas. In the English speaking world the basic model of debating is called "Parliamentary debating" based on the way issue are debated in the British House of Commons. The basic rules for this kind of debate are as follows: Resolutions A. A different resolution for each round will be presented to the debaters at a specified time prior to the beginning of each debate. The specified time will be determined by adding fifteen minutes to the amount of time needed to walk to the most distant buildings in which debates are to occur. B. The topic of each round will be about current affairs or philosophy. The resolutions will be general enough that a well-educated college student can debate them. They may be phrased in literal or metaphorical language. 2. Objective of the debate The proposition team must affirm the resolution by presenting and defending a sufficient case for that resolution. The opposition team must oppose the resolution and/or the proposition team’s case. If, at the end of the debate, the judge believes that the proposition team has supported and successfully defended the resolution, they will be declared the winner, otherwise the opposition will be declared the winner. 3. Before the debate The proposition team, if they wish, may use the room assigned for debate for their preparation. If the proposition team uses the debating room for preparation, both the judge and the opposition must vacate the room until the time for the debate begins. 4. During the debate A. Any published information (dictionaries, magazines, etc.), which may have been consulted before the debate, cannot be brought into the debating chambers for use during the debate. Except for notes that the debaters themselves have prepared during preparation time and a copy of the NPDA “Rules of Debating and Judging,” no published materials, prepared arguments, or resources for the debaters’ use in the debate may be brought into the debating chambers. B. Debaters may refer to any information that is within the realm of knowledge of liberally educated and informed citizens. If they believe some cited information to be too specific, debaters may request that their opponent explain specific information with which they are unfamiliar. In the event further explanation of specific information is requested, the debater should provide details sufficient to allow the debater to understand the connection between the information and the claim. Judges will disallow specific information only in the event that no reasonable person could have access to the information: e.g., information that is from the debater’s personal family history. C. Format of the debate First Proposition Constructive: 7 minutes First Opposition Constructive: 8 minutes Second Proposition Constructive: 8 minutes Second Opposition Constructive: 8 minutes Opposition Rebuttal: 4 minutes Proposition Rebuttal: 5 minutes D. Constructive and Rebuttal Speeches Introduction of new arguments is appropriate during all constructive speeches. However, debaters may not introduce new arguments in rebuttal speeches except that the proposition rebuttals may introduce new arguments in his or her rebuttal to refute arguments that were first raised in the Second Opposition Constructive. New examples, analysis, analogies, etc. that support previously introduced arguments are permitted in rebuttal speeches. address the Speaker of the House with a point of order. Once recognized by the Speaker of the House, the debater must state, but may not argue for, the point of order. At the discretion of the Speaker of the House, the accused may briefly respond to the point of order. The Speaker of the House will then rule immediately on the point of order in one of three ways: point well taken, point not well taken, or point taken under consideration. The time used to state and address a point of order will not be deducted from the speaking time of the debater with the floor. A point of order is a serious charge and should not be raised for minor violations. G. Points of Personal Privilege At any time during the debate, a debater may rise to a point of personal privilege when he or she believes that an opponent has personally insulted one of the debaters, has made an offensive or tasteless comment, or has grievously misconstrued another’s words or arguments. The Speaker will then rule on whether or not the comments were acceptable. The time used to state and address a point of personal privilege will not be deducted from the speaking time of the debater with the floor. Like a point of order, a point of personal privilege is a serious charge and should not be raised for minor transgressions. Debaters may be penalized for raising spurious points of personal privilege. 5. After the debate A. After the final rebuttal, the Speaker of the House will dismiss the teams, complete the ballot and return it to the ballot staff. The judge should not give oral comments before the ballot is completed and returned to the ballot staff. B. A running update of all teams’ records will be publicly posted in a “warm room” or common area accessible to all tournament participants. After returning the ballot, the judge may, at his or her discretion, give brief constructive comments to the debaters. Such conversations should, if possible, take place in the established “warm room” area if one is designated by the tournament. No one may be required to enter the “warm room” or participate in discussions. Judges should refrain from checking the records of teams they are about to judge should such information be available. C. Debaters or coaches will refrain from arguing with Judges’ decisions or comments. Debaters or coaches who harass judges may be withdrawn from the tournament on a two-thirds vote of the Championship Tournament Committee.

__The Jerusalem Debating Society__

The organization was founded in 1987 to promote the art of debating, public speaking, logic and rhetoric in Jerusalem. The society called itself "Siag Vesig". It began in schools in Jerusalem and then spread to other towns in Israel. The society operates in universities, high schools and clubs.

The Jerusalem Debating Society has programs that include debating leagues for schools, debate workshops over the summer and year long meetings weekly at the Jerusalem club house. The club has no political afficliations and membership is open to anyone above the age of thirteen.

There are three main competitions during the year. The first is outside Jerusalem when the top twenty debators are chosen out of many debators from all over the country. The next competition is the World Individual debating competition. This is held annually in a different country every year. A competitor is tested in four categories including public speaking, reading and debating. This year it is being held in South Africa.The third competition is the Word Debating Competition. This is where a group is sent to compete against other countries. This year it is being held in North Korea.

The Jerusalem Debating Society has had many accomplishments including coming in first and second place in the world. They have much to be proud of!

__Bibliograthy__ How to win an Argument, Michael Gilbert, Wiley and Sons 1996

On Speaking Well, Peggy Noonan, Regan Books 1998

The Gentle Art of Verbal Self Defense, Suzette Haden Elgin, Barnes and Nobel Books 1980

Pros and Cons – a debaters handbook, Michael Jacobson, Routledge Kegan Paul 1997