Elements of Debating: A Manual for Use in High Schools and Academies

This guide introduces the essentials of public argument for students just stepping onto the debating stage. It begins by breaking down everyday discourse into four basic forms—narration, description, exposition, and argument—showing how each serves a distinct purpose in communication. By using familiar examples, the text helps learners see how everyday conversations already contain the building blocks of persuasive speaking.

From that foundation, the manual moves to the heart of debate: constructing and presenting arguments that genuinely sway an audience. It stresses “reference to experience” as a practical test for evidence, steering students away from overly technical logic and toward relatable, real‑world support. Clear explanations, concise exercises, and helpful appendices make the material easy to absorb, whether debate is a core class or an extracurricular pursuit. Listeners will come away with a solid framework for turning ideas into compelling, credible arguments.