RESEARCH ON DEBATE and the 3rd Presidential debate of Mccain & Obama

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Oregon-Oxford Debating
What is debate?
Debate is basically a response to a problem. It is a competition using words and logic. It is to change people’s minds and actions through our words and power of conviction.Objectives of DebateMain Objective- To resolve the issue intelligently at the end of the debate
Specific Objectives- To have a comprehensive grasp of issues, to be able to prepare a case which tackles the Practicability, Necessity and Beneficiality.
Practicability – feasibility of a proposition which includes matter of law , clamor, financeNecessity – need for the proposition, discusses the presence or absence of an inherent flaw in the status quo.Beneficiality – advantages or disadvantages of adopting or rejecting the resolution which includes specific beneficiaries and specific benefitsParts of the Debate1.) Constructive Speech-The presentation of each team member’s arguments and evidence for each aspect of the case (5 minutes each)2.) Interpellation- The opportunity for each debater to ask and answer questions regarding their speeches - 3 minutes3.) Rebuttal- The summary and defense of each team’s arguments and evidence, to be delivered by either the scribe or the team captain – 6 minutesDistinctions between argumentation and debate
1.) As to the medium use: argumentation uses either language in a verbal manner or through writing; whereas, debate is verbal only.
2.) As to the presence the contending parties: argumentation may or may not with the presence of its adversary; whereas, debate is made with the presence of the contending parties.
3.) As to formality: Argumentation generally has no formal rules being followed; whereas, debate being a contest has a formal rules and regulations.
4.) Finally, as to the appeal: Argumentation is an appeal to the emotions: whereas, debate is depicting the more practical and logic way.

Debate Formats

Academic debate is the carrying out of argumentation in a formal setting. Within the context of academic debate there exists rules and procedures which govern how the argumentative process is to be conducted. Some of these rules concern the format and sequence of speeches. Others concern the responsibilities of each debater. The following details the format, sequence and time allotments for two standard American team debates- Oxford debate and Cross Examination (Oregon Style) Debate.

Oxford Debate Format (and corresponding time limits)

**********************************Host***** College Academic*****
1st AC Speech------------------------ 7 mins--------- 10mins----------
1St NC Speech --------------------------7 mins----------10mins----------
2nd AC Speech -------------------------7 mins----------10mins----------
2nd NC Speech----------------------- --7 mins----------10mins----------
Preparation Time----------------------- 6 mins---------10 mins----------
1st NR Speech --------------------------4 mins----------5 mins----------
1st AR Speech --------------------------4 mins----------5 mins----------
2nd NR Speech -------------------------4 mins--------- 5 mins-----------
2nd AR Speech------- ------------------4 mins--------- 5 mins-----------
Total Time -----------------------------50 mins-------- 70 mins---------

Cross Examination(Oregon Style) Debate Format
1st AC Speech ---------------------------6 mins---------8 mins---------
Cross Examination of 1st AC by 2nd NC--2 mins----------3 mins--------
1st NC Speech ---------------------------6 mins--------- 8 mins--------
Cross Examination of 1st NC by 1st AC-- 2 mins----------3 mins--------
2nd AC Speech-------------------------- 6 mins--------- 8 mins--------
Cross Examination of 2nd AC by 1st NC--2 mins--------- 3 mins--------
2nd NC Speech --------------------------6 mins----------8 mins-------
Cross Examination of 2nd NC by 2nd AC- 2 mins--------- 3 mins--------
Preparation Time------------------------ 6 mins-------- 10 mins-------
1st NR Speech--------------------------- 3 mins--------- 5 mins-------
1st AR Speech ---------------------------3 mins--------- 5 mins-------
2nd NR Speech-------------------------- 3 mins--------- 5 mins-------
2nd AR Speech-------------------------- 3 mins--------- 5 mins-------
Total Speech---------------------------- 50 mins-------- 74 mins------
*AC-Affirmative Constructive NR-Negative Rebuttal
NC-Negative Constructive AR-Affirmative Rebuttal


United States Presidential Election Debate
(Source: Wikipedia)
During presidential elections in the United States, it has become customary for the main candidates (almost always the candidates of the two largest parties, currently the Democratic Party and the Republican Party) to engage in a debate. The topics discussed in the debate are often the most controversial issues of the time, and arguably elections have been nearly decided by these debates (e.g., Nixon vs. Kennedy).
Presidential debates are held late in the election cycle, after the political parties have nominated their candidates. The candidates meet in a large hall, often at a university, before an audience of citizens. The formats of the debates have varied, with questions sometimes posed from one or more journalist moderators and in other cases members of the audience. Between 1988 and 2000, the formats have been governed in detail by secret memoranda of understanding (MOU) between the two major candidates; an MOU for 2004 was also negotiated, but unlike the earlier agreements it was jointly released by the two candidates.
Debates are broadcast live on television and radio. The first debate for the 1960 election drew over 66 million viewers out of a population of 179 million, making it one of the most-watched broadcasts in U.S. television history. The 1980 debates drew 80 million viewers out of a 226 million. By 2000, about 46 million viewers out of a population of 280 million watched the first debate, with ten million fewer watching the subsequent debates that year. In 2004, 62.5 million people watched the first debate, while 43.6 million watched the vice-presidential debate.[1] Rules & Format

Some of the debates can feature the candidates standing behind their podiums, or in conference tables with the moderator on the other side. Depending on the agreed format, either the moderator or an audience member can be the one to ask questions. Typically there are no opening statements, just closing statements.
A coin toss determines who gets to answer the first question and each candidate will get alternate turns. Once a question is asked, the candidate has 2 minutes to answer the question. After this, the opposing candidate has around 1 minute to respond and rebut his arguments. At the moderator's discretion, the discussion of the question may be extended by 30 seconds per candidate.
In recent debates, colored lights resembling traffic lights have been installed to aide the candidate as to the time left with green indicating 30 seconds, yellow indicating 15 seconds and red indicating only 5 seconds are left. If necessary, a buzzer may be used or a flag.

Did the 3rd and final Presidential debate of Mc Cain and Obama conform with the Academic Standard of Argumentation?

The debate between Mc Cain and Obama turned out initially to be a good one. Basically, the topic was about Domestic Policy. A lot of issues relevant to the topic has been discussed which includes economic plans, taxation, heath care, energy & climate control and a lot more. It started very well. Each of the parties were able to present their views fairly and issues were properly addressed. The essential elements of argumentation which consists of claims, data and warrants were present during the debate.
However, there was a twist on the later part of the debate. It turned out to be a political combat wherein each party attacks the other. It became mostly political. Instead of giving more emphasis on the topic or questions being asked, they have become more focused on discussing personal issues and self advertisement. The debate has turned into a political advertisement whereby one party (specifically Mccain) took chance of selling himself to the viewing public by questioning the reputation of the other (Obama) or by pointing out the differences of their political standing on certain legislative issues and what he has done during his seat on the Senate as against what have the other did.

Another thing to take note on the debate were the violations made by the debaters especially on the time limits and certain interruptions done during the other party’s turn to speak. I find it improper considering the fact that the rules were clearly stated. Simple courtesy were neglected. On the other hand, the discussion has become highly personal, instead of stating logical reasons they were emotionally driven thus certain issues were addressed differently and out of bounds.