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Debating Motions
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Debating Motions
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DEBATING MOTIONS
By Shane D. Dunbar, MEd, PRP, PAP
Professional Registered Parliamentarian, and
Professional Accredited Parliamentarian
dunbar@northwest.net.
The primary purpose of debating motions is to persuade the assembly (or team) members to vote in a certain way. In persuasive speeches such as debating motions, members should make their position clear by using beginning, middle, and ending statements.
- THE BEGINNING STATEMENT: How do you feel about the motion? Do you want it to be adopted?
- THE MIDDLE STATEMENT (BODY): Present sound, logical evidence to back up your beginning statement. Effective debate should include a) completeness of thought, b) logical reasoning, and c) conviction of delivery.
- THE ENDING STATEMENT (CONCLUSION): Reinforce your position. How do you want the assembly to vote?
There are excellent examples of debates using beginning, middle and ending statements in the
Parliamentary Procedure Judging Guide
manual, which is described on page two of this web site.
EXAMPLES OF BEGINNING AND ENDING STATEMENTS
FOR DEBATING MOTIONS
BEGINNING PRO
STATEMENTS |
BEGINNING CON
STATEMENTS |
| 1. I wish to speak in favor of the motion. |
1. I wish to speak against the motion. |
| 2. I am in favor of adopting the motion. |
2. I am opposed to the motion. |
| 3. I agree with the views of the previous speaker who spoke in favor of the motion. |
3. I agree with the views of the previous speaker who spoke against the motion. |
| 4. Adoption of the motion will greatly benefit our FFA Chapter. |
4. Adoption of the motion will not benefit our FFA Chapter. |
| 5. I support this fundraiser (or any topic). |
5. I am against this fundraiser (or any topic). |
| 6. I am in favor of the motion and disagree with the previous argument against the motion. |
6. I am not in favor of this motion and disagree with the with the previous argument in favor of the motion |
| 7. I urge (or encourage) the assembly to adopt the motion. |
7. I urge (or encourage) the assembly not to adopt the motion. |
| 8. I urge (or encourage) every member to vote in favor of the motion. |
8. I urge (or encourage) every member to vote against the motion. |
| 9. I agree with the maker of the motion. |
9. I disagree with the maker of the motion. |
| 10. I am in favor of the motion for the following reasons: First ..., Second ..., etc. |
10. I am against the motion for the following reasons:First ..., Second ..., etc. |
ENDING PRO
STATEMENTS |
ENDING CON
STATEMENTS |
| 1. I therefore urge (or encourage) the members to vote in favor of the motion. |
1. I therefore urge (or encourage) the members not to vote in favor of the motion. |
| 2. Given these facts, I believe an affirmative vote is the only plausible way to vote. |
2. Given these facts, I believe a negative vote is the only plausible way to vote. |
| 3. Let's all get behind the motion and adopt it. |
3. Let's defeat the motion. |
| 4. For these reasons, I hope the motion will prevail. |
4. For these reasons, I hope the motion will not prevail. |
| 5. I therefore hope and sincerely trust that the motion will be adopted. |
5. I therefore hope and sincerely trust that the motion will not be adopted. Vote "no." |
| 6. Therefore, I recommend to the assembly that the motion be adopted. |
6. Therefore, I recommend to the assembly that the motion not be adopted. |
| 7. For these reasons, I am confident you can all see it would be advantageous to adopt the motion. |
7. For these reasons, I am confident you can all see it would not be advantageous to adopt the motion |
| 8. I implore you all to join me in voting in favor of the motion. |
8. I implore you all to join me in not voting in favor of the motion. |
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