debate speech example third speaker

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How to Write a Speech if You're Third Speaker

Last Updated: August 13, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 310,316 times.

There are three key roles on a debate team: first speaker, second speaker and third speaker. While the first and second speakers concentrate on building a substantive case, the third speaker has a unique job in that they must use their time to attack their opponent's case. This guide will help you create an outline for your argument if you are the third speaker on your debate team.

Before the Debate

• Make a list of the main arguments of first and second speakers on your team. Use the notes to rebut arguments of the opposing side.
• Throughout the debate, note down key clashes and the main arguments of the opposing side. [1] X Research source
• State the clashes and explain/analyze why your side has won in each clash.

Third Speaker Proposition

Third Speaker Opposition

• It is important to note that if you are a third speaker on an opposing team, you are not creating a constructive argument. Presenting a new argument at this time would not allow the proposing team to rebut. The arguments you are defending are arguments that have already been made by your first and second speakers.

Community Q&A

• Know your argument. [7] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Start research on your position early so that you are adequately prepare to write a proper speech. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Take notes and adjust your speech as you listen to each speaker. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rIANDXXu-k
• ↑ https://www.theclassroom.com/write-good-closing-argument-4659.html
• ↑ https://www.dav.com.au/resources/itd_speaker_roles.php
• ↑ https://virtualspeech.com/blog/guide-to-debating

About This Article

If you’re the third speaker on your debate team, you’ll need to write a speech that attacks the opponent’s case. Before the debate, make a list of key points from the first and second speaker so you have them ready when it’s time for your closing summary. You can add to these notes during the actual debate so you can incorporate information about your challenger’s arguments. To make your proposition, restate your team’s position and rebut the opposition’s arguments. Then, defend your affirmative arguments with your own, unique supporting examples. Finally, end your speech with your closing statement. To learn how to give your opposition, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Being assigned as the third speaker in a public speaking event or debate can be both an honor and a challenge. As the third speaker, you have the unique opportunity to sum up your team’s arguments and add further weight to them while providing a satisfying conclusion to your audience. However, this responsibility also demands exceptional organization, creativity, and persuasion skills. Here are three ways to help you write an effective speech if you’re the third speaker:

1. Structure your speech strategically

To ensure your speech is engaging and impactful, it’s essential to follow a clear structure. Typically, the third speaker should start by summarizing the main points made by their team while refuting any counterarguments presented by the opposition. You can break down your speech into three major sections:

a) Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and set the stage for your arguments. Use a hook to capture your audience’s attention – this can be an interesting fact, anecdote, or thought-provoking question.

b) Body: This is where you’ll summarize your team’s main points and rebuttals. Divide your body into sub-sections based on each argument, beginning with the strongest one. Be concise but compelling in asserting how your team has demonstrated its claim more effectively than the opposition.

c) Conclusion: Bring all your points together and provide a strong closing statement that emphasizes why your team’s stance is the most persuasive one.

2. Make use of persuasive techniques

Utilizing persuasive techniques can significantly enhance the impact of your speech. Apply these strategies to emphasize your points:

a) Emotive language: Use powerful words that trigger emotions like happiness, anger, optimism, or concern. This will help build rapport with your audience and develop their emotional connection with your argument.

b) Rhetorical questions: Pose questions that do not require answers but encourage reflection on your points. By prompting your audience to think more deeply about the topic, you increase the likelihood of them accepting your viewpoint.

c) Tripling: Present your arguments or examples in groups of three, as the human brain tends to remember information better when it’s organized this way.

d) Evidence and statistics: Use credible sources to back up your claims and demonstrate that your team’s arguments are based on facts.

3. Engage with your opposition

As the third speaker, it’s essential to address the opposition’s arguments and counter them effectively. This aspect makes your speech more dynamic and establishes a strong case for your team. Some tips to engage with the opposition include:

a) Acknowledge their arguments: Show respect to your opponents by recognizing their points before debunking them.

b) Use logic and analysis: Refute your opposition’s claims by pointing out flaws in their logic, providing counterexamples, or challenging their source credibility.

c) Stay respectful: Keep a polite tone while countering opposing views. Avoid personal attacks or mocking language, as this can alienate your audience.

In summary, when writing a speech as the third speaker, focus on structuring it strategically, using persuasive techniques, and engaging with the opposition. By doing so, you’ll be well-equipped to deliver a powerful and memorable speech that captivates your audience and reinforces your team’s arguments.

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Instant Debate Speech Maker Online

The Debate Speech Maker simplifies the process of writing persuasive speeches. This tool helps you generate clear, structured arguments and compelling points, ensuring your debate speech is well-organized and convincing.

• 📢 Introduction to the Tool

🗣️ What Is a Debate?

👍 debate maker benefits, ✏️ how to write a debate speech, 🔗 references, 📢 debate script maker: an introduction.

If you’ve decided to participate in a debate, you probably know that this activity requires a lot of preparation. Sometimes, you may receive the topic of your debate in advance so that you have time to prepare thoroughly for it. But also, you may be given the subject on the day of the debate, and then you’ll have much less time to prepare. In either case, our debate maker will be an indispensable assistant!

When comparing AI vs human writers, artificial intelligence excels in the speed of content creation, although it loses in creativity. Unlike when using other AI chat bots, you don't have to bother with creating successful prompts. Using this tool is simple - to instantly make a speech, you’ll need to take these four steps:

• Type in the topic of the debate.
• State your position and audience.
• Indicate whether you are replying to an opponent.
• Click “Generate” and get your result!

A debate is a structured and formalized argumentative exchange between two or more opposing sides . While this practice is usually associated with the election season , it can also be often found in schools or colleges. Participants, categorized as either the “pro” or “con” side, systematically present and defend their perspectives on a given topic. They use evidence to back up their claims and. Each side takes turns articulating arguments and responding to their opponent's points.

The primary objective of a debate is persuasion - convincing the opposition and the audience. Although debates often lack a declared winner, they may conclude with a vote or judgment from adjudicators in formal settings. Informal debates can persist until one side concedes.

Debate Terminology Examples for Students

Here, you can become familiar with the basic terms. It’ll be beneficial for you to learn them to make it easier to grasp the debate structure further.

• Adjudicator - An impartial observer who evaluates the debate. Such moderators provide feedback on the quality of arguments and overall performance. Also, they can contribute to determining the winner in formal debates.
• An affirmative - A team or speaker supporting the motion in a debate. Affirmatives present arguments in favor of the proposition. They aim to convince the audience or adjudicators of the motion's validity.
• Motion - The central topic, idea, or statement being debated. The motion frames the discussion and determines the stances of the affirmative and opposition sides. Debaters construct arguments either in support or against this subject.
• Chairperson - The person responsible for moderating and overseeing the debate. Their goal is to maintain order and ensure adherence to the rules. The chairperson may introduce speakers and the motion.
• Card - A card is a paragraph or several paragraphs taken from an authoritative journalistic or scholarly source that proves the validity of a particular argument. It should be a verbatim quotation without additions or paraphrasing. It is important to explain the quote and how it relates to the argument.
• Floor - The general audience or participants who are not actively engaged in the debate but may have the opportunity to pose questions. They can make contributions during designated segments. The floor adds an interactive element to the discussion.
• Opposition/a Negative - A team or speaker taking an opposing stance on the core topic. The opposition presents arguments countering the proposition. Such arguments should demonstrate flaws in the affirmative's position and persuade the audience that the motion is unsupported.
• The first speaker - The initial speaker of a team. They introduce and establish the main arguments supporting or opposing the motion. Their speech should set the tone for the team's position and outline the critical points to be developed by subsequent speakers.
• The second speaker - The second speaker introduces additional evidence and reinforces the team's position. They aim to strengthen their affirmative/opposing case and respond to the arguments from the other team.
• The third speaker - The last speaker should summarize the team's key points. They may also respond to opposition’s reasons raised during the debate. The goal is to leave a lasting impression on the adjudicators before the discussion concludes.
• Reply speeches - Reply speeches are the concluding words from both the affirmative and opposition sides. These speeches are often shorter, not more than three minutes. Such speeches are the last chance to influence the overall impression, so they should strongly support your ideas.

What Does the Maker of the Argument Do in a Debate?

In a debate, the first speaker, whether on the affirmative or opposition side, should:

• Formulate a clear and concise stance on the motion.
• Organize arguments logically, presenting a structured case.
• Support points with relevant facts and examples.
• Convince adjudicators and the audience of the credibility of their position.

The Structure of a Debate

Whether an academic debate or a parliamentary one, the structure and ground rules essentially remain the same.

In this section, we'll briefly explain how your proceedings are going to look like:

• Gathering the sides . At this stage, you should determine the teams and their participants. They are divided into affirmative and negative sides. As a rule, the debates should include three speakers , who will take turns and, at each stage, strengthen their position. All participants should meet 15 minutes before the start to prepare materials .
• Starting the debate . Participants should determine the debate’s time limit, as speeches cannot last nonstop. Usually, each speaker is given a maximum of 3 minutes for their presentation. At the beginning, the speakers should introduce themselves. The duration of the answer is regulated by the timekeeper , who should give a bell 30 seconds before the end of the speaker's time to start summarizing.
• Debating the topic . The core of the debate involves a structured exchange between the sides. The first speaker for the affirmative introduces the motion, presenting key arguments. The opposition's first speaker responds, presenting counterarguments. This pattern continues with subsequent speakers building upon and responding to the points raised. The debate format could also include cross-examination or questioning segments.
• Finishing the debate . Both sides deliver final counter-speeches summarizing key arguments. The adjudicators then assess the overall performance of each side. The persuasiveness of the arguments presented assists in the audience’s decision-making. Participants may engage in discussions and receive feedback . After the debate, each team is given the opportunity to thank everyone in attendance.

As you've probably already realized, getting ready for such a significant event will take a lot of time. You'll need to gather your thoughts, stay level-headed, and be assertive in your stance. This preparation process can be quite overwhelming. That's why our debate script maker is the perfect solution!

This debate writer has many advantages:

• Time-saving . This AI tool will speed up the process of creating a script. You won't have to worry about the structure and arguments.
• Inspirational . Our maker will allow you to explore different points of view, and you may look at your discussion topic from a new angle that will inspire you.
• Free . You can use the debate generator without prepayments and subscription fees. Besides, our tool does not have any limit on the number of requests.
• Online . Finally, thanks to online access, you don't need to download any apps, so that you can use our speech maker anytime from any device.

Our tool is a great way to save time and get that initial burst of inspiration for your debate. However, that is just the beginning. You will still need to edit and finalize this speech. Additionally, you may find it helpful to learn how to write one yourself.

The following steps will show you how to improve your speech and prepare you for your future debates:

• Compelling beginning . The opening of your speech is of the utmost significance. Your task is to captivate the audience and create the overall atmosphere of the speech. We suggest using a hook at the very beginning. It can be a question or a fact intended to capture the attention of your opposition and the audience. You could also use a quote from a famous person, an interesting statistic, a rhetorical question, or even a relevant personal anecdote.
• Presenting your arguments . This is the time to talk about your position on the topic. Be sure to formulate a concise thesis statement . After that, you should provide the arguments that support it. Explain each point clearly to avoid misunderstanding among the audience.
• Explaining the position . Follow a structure where each of your arguments is followed by evidence and then justification. Proof builds credibility and engages the listeners. Ensure that you have data only from relevant and reliable sources.
• Summarizing . In the concluding part of your persuasive speech, you should reiterate your thesis and essential arguments. Emphasize the value of your position. It’s your last opportunity to impress the judge and the listeners. Round it off by offering a provocative question, a recommendation, or talking about your predictions for the future of the subject.
• Confidence and consistency . After writing your speech, you should refine its structure so that you have smooth transitions from one idea to the next. Use connecting words to tie your arguments together. Afterward, practice your speech and make sure it's clear . Your gestures, facial expressions, and intonation are ways to communicate with listeners. Be convincing but not pushy, and use a moderate pace.

We wish you good luck in your debates! And if you need to create a different kind of speech, try our informative speech generator .

Updated: Jan 26th, 2024

• What is a debate? – Vanesa Velkova, European Commission
• How debating works – Law Society of Scotland
• Debating: A Brief Introduction for Beginners – Debating SA Incorporated
• Debate Timing & Structure - Debating Matters
• How do you structure your debate speech to capture the attention and interest of your audience? - LinkedIn

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