Abdullah’s Debate Practice Assignment
Focus: First Speaker Speech (World Scholar’s Cup Format)
Assignment Goal
To plan and deliver a 3 to 4-minute first speaker speech on a debate motion, using the World Scholar’s Cup style: timed preparation, clear structure, and confident speaking without a full script.
Debate Motion
“This house would ban zoos.”
You are on the affirmative team, and your job is to argue that zoos should be banned.
Total Preparation Time: 15 Minutes
This simulates actual World Scholar’s Cup conditions.
Step 1 – Brainstorm (2–3 minutes)
Make a quick list of all the possible points your team could argue. For example:
Zoos are unfair to animals
Animals are kept in small cages
Many zoos do not help endangered species
Animals suffer mentally and physically
Better ways to learn about animals exist
Then choose your 2 best arguments to use as the first speaker.
Step 2 – Build Your Argument (7–10 minutes)
Use the familiar First Speaker Script Template below. Don’t write a full script. Instead, make short notes under each part so you can deliver your speech naturally.
First Speaker Script Template
Use this exact order to deliver your speech:
Introduction:
“Good [morning/afternoon], Honorable Judge and fellow speakers.
My name is Abdullah, and I am the first speaker for the affirmative team.
Today’s motion is: ‘…’.
We believe that this statement is true.”
Main Argument 1:
“Our first reason is: ________________________
This matters because ________________________
For example, _______________________________
This shows that _____________________________”
Main Argument 2:
“Our second reason is: _______________________
This is important because _____________________
For instance, _______________________________
This proves that _____________________________”
Preview What’s Next:
“Our second speaker will continue our case by showing how…”
Conclusion:
“In conclusion, animals deserve to live in the wild, not in cages.
That is why we believe zoos should be banned.
Thank you.”
Final Task
Practise your speech aloud (3–4 minutes). Use your notes only.
Record yourself if possible.
Time yourself to make sure your delivery fits the full time.
What to Submit to Coach Mr. Mott
A photo or typed copy of your brainstorm and bullet point plan
Your voice recording (if possible)
A short reflection:
What went well?
What felt easier this time?
What will I try to improve next time?
This Assignment Builds on Your Previous Feedback
Here’s what you are working on from your earlier speeches:
Making your points clearer and easier to understand
Using examples and explaining why your ideas matter
Speaking for longer with confidence
Pausing and speaking at a steady pace
Practising without needing a full script
You are doing incredibly well. This assignment helps you take everything you’ve learned so far and put it into real practice. Keep going, Abdullah — you’re becoming a confident and thoughtful speaker.
Coaching Tips: Expanding Ideas in Debate
1. Use “The Four W’s” Strategy
When Abdullah writes down a point, teach him to ask himself these four simple questions:
What is my point? (e.g. “Animals are trapped.”)
Why does this matter? (e.g. “It’s unfair and affects their well-being.”)
When/Where does this happen? (e.g. “In zoos where animals are kept in small enclosures.”)
What if we don’t change it? (e.g. “Animals may suffer mentally for years.”)
Each W gives a way to stretch a short point into a stronger argument.
2. Practice the “Because… For Example… So What?” Model
Coach him to say his point aloud, then quickly follow it with:
Because... (reason)
For example... (real-life case or imagined scenario)
So what? (impact or why it matters)
Example:
“We should ban zoos because animals are kept in unnatural environments. For example, polar bears in hot countries can’t live comfortably, even with artificial snow. So what? It shows that even with good intentions, zoos can’t meet real animal needs.”
This trains him to automatically extend his ideas during prep or delivery.
3. Use Visual Triggers
Give him quick images or one-word prompts during practice to spark development. For example:
Prompt: “Cage” → Expand: What is it like for the animal? How does that affect them?
Prompt: “Wild” → Why is the wild better? What freedoms do animals have there?
You can even create a card deck of 10–15 common words and practise expanding from each.
4. Link to People or Emotion
Abdullah is already starting to use emotional appeals (“Have you ever wondered…?”). Encourage him to go further by relating it to:
The audience’s emotions (“Imagine being trapped in a small room your whole life.”)
Ethical questions (“Would you want your pet kept behind bars for entertainment?”)
Personalising arguments helps fill time naturally and make his speech more powerful.
5. Anchor to Real or Imagined Examples
During prep, ask:
“Can you think of a real zoo?”
“What animals do you imagine there?”
“How would that animal feel or act differently in the wild?”
Even imagined examples are valid — they make arguments easier to explain.
6. Rehearse Stretching One Point in Multiple Ways
Take one topic (e.g. “Animals suffer in zoos”) and train Abdullah to:
Describe the idea in different words
Give an example
Ask a rhetorical question
Link it to a bigger theme (e.g. human rights, learning, nature)
This helps him get used to staying longer on each idea, which builds confidence and pacing.
7. Use the ‘Power of Three’
For any point, encourage him to give three supporting statements. For example:
“Zoos should be banned because they harm animals physically, emotionally, and socially.”
He can then explain each of those three things in one sentence each.
