Speech Notes

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WUDC SPEECH NOTES

Alfred Snider, University of Vermont

Use whatever works for you. This is what I do when I debate in this format.

Different pieces of paper:

Ø Your prep page

Ø Your flow of the debate

Ø Your new argument/whip summary

Ø Your intro and conclusion

Prep page

Ø Top: terms to define

Ø Middle: List of strongest arguments for your side, cross off as team in front uses one

Ø Bottom: rhetorical ideas

Ø Side: List of facts and examples you may use

Ø Upper right: PoI ideas

Flow of the debate

Ø As many columns as speeches up to yours.

Ø Two pages: one for each side

Ø Make your columns wider

Ø Brief notes about what they say, not too much

Ø Lots of writing in your column. Put arguments next to what they refute.

Ø Number arguments on each major point, say them in the speech.

Ø Don’t write it down unless you know you want to say it.

Ø Practice word economy.

Ø Cross some out if you have too many, change numbers.

Your new argument/Whip summary

Ø Well-developed outline

Ø Include all components from paragraph model

Ø Pay attention to inserting examples

Ø Consider time allocation

Your intro and conclusion

Ø Follow rhetorical framing planned

Ø Do not take their rhetorical frame

Ø Write it out word for word, or at least in considerable detail

Ø Don’t make it too long

Other ideas:

Ø Write down their labels word for word, otherwise write down what you think they mean.

Ø Mark how long on each piece of paper, have a timer

Ø Indicate where you would like to take a PoI

Ø Keep your pages for later reference on similar motions