Method is the poor, neglected and often forgotten third member of the ‘manner, matter, method’ family. There is the danger of thinking that, since method is only worth 20% of the total marks, it is simply not important. However, a more astute debater will realise that method is what holds the entire debate together: it is the glue that binds matter and manner into a cohesive, persuasive whole that remains consistent between speakers and helps your team to maintain a clear and logical progression.

Method relates to your organisation and how clearly you can convey a consistent message. It relates to both how your team as a whole organises their material, and how an individual speaker structures their speech. There are a number of things that will directly impact upon your method mark:

• Whether each speaker satisfied the duties required of their role (i.e. did each person keep to their speaker role). For instance, did the first speaker introduce the model, and did the third speaker refrain from introducing new material?
• Your time management and whether you keep to the required time limit for your speech. The time you must speak for will vary depending on your grade, and as a general rule people who speak for 30 seconds less than the first knock, or 30 seconds longer than the second knock, will lose points.

At an individual and team level, there are also a number of things that adjudicators will look for, such as the use of signposting, having a logical team split, and a consistent team line.

Signposting

In the real world, a signpost is something that tells us what is coming up ahead, or what lies in a certain direction. In a debate, signposting is where you let the audience know what to expect in your speech, and when you identify when you are moving into a new point.

You will be speaking for an extended period of time, and will be raising several points during your speech. It is therefore necessary to divide you speech up into different parts in order to help the audience follow your arguments. You should begin your speech by outlining what you will be discussing in general terms.

For example: “I will be arguing that smoking should be banned because of the adverse health consequences it has for society, including the huge drain it places on the healthcare system and the dangers it poses to young people.”

We now have an idea of what to expect in your speech, and know what arguments that we should be looking out for. You have essentially given the audience (and an adjudicator) a ‘map’ of your upcoming arguments, and this will help them keep track of what you are saying.

The second use of signposting is when you identify that you are beginning a new point. This can be a very simple thing, but it has huge benefits for both your method (which is now more organised) and your matter (which is now clearer).

For example:  “Now I will move on to my second point. Smoking is also dangerous and should be banned because of the huge cost burden it places on our healthcare system…”

Just by saying this short sentence, the audience now knows that you have finished your first point, have moved on to a new point, and what that point will be. Remember that signposting works best when it is simple and direct – all you need to do is point us in the right direction.

A handy approach to follow is the ‘Rule of Three’. Under this, everything should be said three times: (1) when introducing your speech, (2) when beginning the point itself, and (3) when concluding. That way everyone will remember what you were arguing.

Team Line

Your team line is your team’s response to the debate topic. It should be short, sharp and succinct. It can be something as simple as stating your position on the topic:

For example: “Tonight the Affirmative team will argue that [whatever the topic is] is the right way forward for Australia…”

Your team line could also be some sort of insightful, philosophical or particularly witty one-liner that highlights a core aspect of your team’s argument.

A consistent team line is crucial because it shows that all of your team members are on the same page and are working together to provide a common response to the topic. Your team line should be the last thing that each speaker says, as it will help to tie your points together and remind the audience of what exactly your team is arguing.

Team Split

Your team split is how you divide up your arguments. Only your first and second speakers can present new (also known as ‘positive’) material to support your team’s case, so your team split will relate to how you divide up your arguments between these two speakers.

The best way to divide up points is based on common themes. For example, the first speaker may present all of the arguments that relate to the impact on individuals, while the second speaker will present all of the arguments that relate to the impact on society as a whole. Alternatively, you may have the first speaker present your economic arguments, while your second speaker presents the social and environmental arguments.

As a general rule, you want to get your best, strongest points out first. Give your strongest ‘theme’ to the first speaker (as long as he has time to discuss all of the arguments that are grouped under this theme – remember that they still need to introduce, define, and provide a model for the debate), and to ensure that each speaker’s strongest points are presented first wherever possible.

Your first speaker should outline what your team split is, and your third speaker should refer to your team split when summing up your team’s case.

Quick Tips (Method): 

• Have a strong, clear and logical team split between your three speakers, ideally based around the different themes of your argument.
• Have a team line that is repeated by each speaker and which ties together everyone’s speeches.
• Remember to ‘signpost’ your points so that it is obvious when you are moving between arguments.
• Speakers should conclude with a brief summary of their main points.
• Make sure that everyone on your team understands your team’s definition and/or model, so that they can then make reference to it themselves and follow it closely.
• Understand the arguments that your teammates will be using so that you do not contradict each other.
• Keep to the time limit: pay attention to the knocks, wear a watch with a timer, and do not go over or under your allotted time. When you hear the second knock, just finish your sentence, restate your team line, and sit down quickly!