PROS and CONS a Debaters Handbook

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PROS and CONSa Debaters Handbook

• Presented by Helen Collins
• Library 150
• March 3, 2003

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R 808.53 PRO 1999

• Bibliographic Citation
• Pros and Cons a debaters handbook / edited
  by Trevor Sather.--18th ed.--London Routledge
  New York Routledge, c1999.
• xi, 261 p.
• Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor and Francis
  Group.
• ISBN 0-415-19547-0 (hbk)

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Arrangement and Indexing

• This book is divided into eight (8) thematic
  sections, where specific subjects are covered
  individually.
• Some examples
• Philosophical/Political Theory
• Anarchism through Welfare State
• Politics and Economics National
• Affirmative Action through Workfare
• This work does not contain an index.

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Scope and Currency

• This book covers a wide variety of current
  controversial topics in Great Britain. These
  range from Philosophical/Political Theory to
  Health, Science and Technology, and cover such
  topics as alternative medicine to space
  exploration.
• It is current to 1998.

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Intended and Additional Purposes Served

• As to the editors intended readership, I can
  only respond that anyone who has an interest in
  debating would be well-served by reading this
  work.
• Public speakers, debate teams (high school
  through college), anyone interested in becoming a
  successful speaker.
• Debate. A way to involve all parties in a
  meaningful exchange of views.

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Physical Format

• Can be purchased new from Amazon.com for 21.51.
  Published in paperback, only.
• Anyone interested in reading this book can check
  in the reference section at the DesMoines branch
  of the King County Library.

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Special Features

• Each opinion is given equal time and is easy to
  follow.

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Credentials and Reviews

• Trevor Sather is head of the Centre for
  International Debate and Communication training
  at English-Speaking Union -London. His team of
  authors are all experienced debaters.
• The review by amazon.com likes it, and
  states.brand new material tailored for forensic
  leaguers at all levels.

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Reviews continued

• Will Hutton, an Englishman, suggests that every
  self respecting debating society should invest in
  a copy. He also recommends purchasing from
  amazon.com.uk as he paid 5 pounds more and waited
  (2) weeks longer for his from a shop in England.
  Excerpt from his quote, Use NOT as the core of
  your argument, but as help to focus your thoughts
  in 2 minutes as opposed to 10 giving you more
  time to expand and develop your case.

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Personal Impression

• I enjoyed this book. I think it is very
  important to preserve the art of debate. It
  helps to keep us involved, and focused on what is
  important in our lives.
• What a healthy way to do battle.

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Examples Typifying Reference Usage

• What is the importance of debating?
• From Great Britain
• www.britishdebate.com/resources
• confidence to speak in front of a room full of
  people
• ability to present an argument persuasively
• the vision to understand that there are two sides
  to most arguments
• respect for others, to let them have their say

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Referencing continued

• Of interest
• What do Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Brad Pitt,
  Michael Stipe (lead singer for REM), and Richard
  M. Nixon all have in common?
• Information from this site indicates that they
  were all former debaters within certain circles.
• A direct quote from Richard Nixon, The jawbone
  of an ass is just as dangerous a weapon today as
  in Sampsons time.

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Referencing continued

• What is the importance of debating?
• Some are
• Clarity
• Evidence
• Emotionalism
• Taken from www.yahoo - 105,000 sites, the most
  interesting was www.truthtree.com/debates.shtml
• Importance of debate coaching?
• Many US firms have sponsored debating

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Referencing continued

• competitions in Great Britain for many years.
  They recognize that this is crucial in
  professional careers. ( Proctor Gamble, Ernst
  Young, Prudential to name a few.)
• Philosophical Terms and Methods-Princeton
  university
• The goal of an argument is to offer good reasons
  to support your conclusions.
• THE END