In undertaking a debate the members of the class should understand that one of the first objects is to encourage a large number of speakers to say something to the point. There is always danger that three or four of the best speakers will get the lion's share of the advantages. To prevent this, every encouragement should be given to the beginner who finds it almost impossible to say anything. It must always be borne in mind that one good argument, the result of an honest piece of thinking, is worth dozens of other people's thoughts.

An exercise of this sort should be democratic. If the making of arrangements is left to a committee of three, appointed by the teacher or chosen by the class, all should recognize the importance of doing cheerfully whatever this committee recommends. Even if one has to take the side he dislikes, he must do his best with it in order to support the committee in its attempt to have the machinery of the debate run smoothly.

The subject should be one of general interest. It is wise at first to avoid questions that are too intricate for most of our statesmen, and, if practicable, to choose one that gives the pupil a chance to supplement his reading by drawing from his own experience.

Preparation

Ample time must be given for preparation. There should be at least two weeks' notice; and during the fortnight every one should spend as much as possible of his spare time in thinking and reading about the subject. If one is to argue on the advisability of feeding tramps, in addition to the indefinite amount of reading he will find available, he may be able to give point and interest to his speaking by telling of what he has seen in his father's door-yard. He who would bring others to his way of thinking must show them that he has been working out the subject for himself and knows what he is talking about.

1 See also "Rules of Proceeding and Debate in Deliberative Assemblies," by Luther S. Cushing. New edition. Philadelphia, Porter & Coates.

Principal Speakers And Substitutes

The committee of arrangements will probably find that as a rule it is a good plan to appoint two or three principal speakers on each side of the question, and one substitute on each side. If the substitutes are not called upon, their careful preparation will qualify them to strengthen the debate from the floor. The principal speakers must not be given too much time, nor are they to be allowed any extension of the time allotted. As soon as they have prepared the way for a general discussion, the chairman should throw the debate open to all. Then the friends of the principal speakers may fill in the outlines presented by their leaders.

Division Of Work Among Speakers

If, as frequently happens, there are four leaders, the work may be divided in this way:

1. The first speaker on the affirmative gives the outline of the entire affirmative case, shows what he and his associates are to prove, and presents his own arguments. Incidentally he may do something to destroy the force of arguments which may be brought forward by the other side.

2. The first speaker on the negative comes next. He shows what he and his colleague are to prove, and presents his part of the proof. He has the advantage of knowing what has been said by the opening speaker, and does what he can to weaken those arguments. He may, if he sees fit, anticipate some of the points likely to be made by the second speaker on the affirmative.

3. The second affirmative speaker does the work outlined by his colleague and answers the first negative speaker. He then attacks arguments that may be made by the second speaker on the negative and sums up the case for the affirmative.

4. The second negative speaker finishes the defensive work begun by his colleague and does his best to refute the arguments of the affirmative. He then sums up the case for the negative.

Then comes the debating from the floor. In order to give every one an opportunity to say something, these speeches must be very brief. If the volunteers do not use all the time set apart for them, the leaders may be allowed to speak again.

The speakers on both sides should make skillful use of repetition in presenting the main points. After the closing of the general debate, one representative from each side is entitled to make a final rebuttal speech. In these rebuttal speeches no new arguments or evidence can be introduced, except for the purpose of answering an opponent, or of making clearer or more emphatic some argument already advanced by the speaker's side. The representative of the affirmative comes last. As the burden of proof rests upon his side, he should have the last word. The closing speakers need to be especially clever in singling out the main points that have been proved, and in sending them home to the audience in a clear, concise, emphatic summary.

Note. In many debating clubs the camp system works well. The members elect by ballot from their number a president and two leaders.

These leaders go ahead just as persons do who are selected to choose sides for a spelling match. Having drawn lots for the first choice, they pick out the debaters alternately till every member is in one camp or the other. Then each leader does all he can to enable his camp to win. He sees that the work is carefully planned, and frequently makes the opening or the closing speech. One way of bringing good debaters into a club is to allow each leader to place in his camp any new member he can secure.

Judges

Three judges may be appointed to determine which side has been the more successful in convincing impartial listeners. A teacher, or some other competent person whose suggestions will be carefully followed, should serve as critic of the substance and the style of presentation, . including, of course, matters of grammar and pronunciation.