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How to Write a Debate Outline

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was reviewed by Gerald Posner . Gerald Posner is an Author & Journalist based in Miami, Florida. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in investigative journalism, nonfiction books, and editorials. He holds a law degree from UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and a BA in Political Science from the University of California-Berkeley. He’s the author of thirteen books, including several New York Times bestsellers, the winner of the Florida Book Award for General Nonfiction, and has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History. He was also shortlisted for the Best Business Book of 2020 by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 228,557 times.

Debates are a common assignment in high school and college classes where 2 individuals or teams present opposing arguments about a particular issue or question. Although you may feel like you debate people all the time, writing a debate outline requires a bit more research and organization than simply arguing with someone. Fortunately, once you know how to effectively categorize and present the evidence for your argument, writing a debate outline is a relatively straightforward process.

Researching for Your Debate

Step 1 Identify the form of debate your outline is for.

Team debates are one of the most common debate forms. In the first half of the debate, each team has two segments to present arguments for their side. In the second half of the debate, each team has two segments to rebut arguments presented in the first half.
Lincoln-Douglas debates are set up to allow one side to present their arguments, and then the other team to cross-examine them. The second team then presents their arguments and has the first team cross-examine them. Finally, each team has an opportunity for a final rebuttal.

Step 2 Research the debate question and decide which side to take.

For example, if the topic of the debate is on the environmental impact of gas cars versus electric cars, gather research from academic journals and consumer watchdogs on carbon emissions, what impact carbon has on environmental degradation, and statements from experts on the topic, such as environmental scientists and car manufacturers.
If you're writing the debate outline for an assignment and can't pick your own side, focus on gathering as much evidence as possible to strengthen the argument you're tasked with making.
Whatever argument you ultimately make, make sure that it is logically sound and that you have convincing, relevant evidence that supports it.
Be sure to note all bibliographical information on your notes.
For every supporting piece of evidence you find for your case, try to find another piece of evidence to counter it. This will help you build your argument later.
It is better to include more points than you think you will need, than not doing enough research and lacking evidence.

Step 3 Categorize all the evidence you come across in your research.

For instance, if your most compelling piece of evidence is a graph that shows that gas cars emit twice as much carbon as electric cars, place this at the top of your evidence list.
If you have a fairly lengthy debate planned, break up your case evidence into categorical sections. For example, you could have legal, moral, and economic support for your case.
Aim to have a minimum of 3 supporting facts or pieces of evidence in your case outline.

Creating the Basic Outline

Subdivide information. Main headings will probably consist of arguments, while subheadings will contain different pieces of supporting evidence.
Use correct symbols. Each level of the outline has a particular symbol to use. The main headings will use Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV). Subheadings use capital letters (A, B, C). Sub-sub headings use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3). Keep these consistent throughout your outline.
Indent each level. Indentation helps you follow the line of argument and keeps your outline organized.

Step 2 Start by outlining your introduction.

Your thesis statement should explain which side of the debate you'll be taking and why your case is stronger than your opponent's.
For example, if you're debating whether gas cars or electric cars are cleaner, your thesis statement might be: “Electric cars are cleaner than gas cars.”

Step 3 Write out your first main point in the form of a thesis statement.

For example, if you're arguing that electric cars are cleaner than gas cars because they produce less carbon dioxide, your first main point would be: “Electric cars produce less carbon dioxide emissions than gas cars.”

Step 4 State the relevant evidence and significance for this main point.

For example, the evidence that electric cars produce less carbon dioxide emissions than gas cars might include statistical information compiled by the Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Step 5 Repeat this process for each additional part of your argument.

For example, if you're pretty confident that your opponent will argue that your evidence relies on biased sources, you can prepare a rebuttal to that claim by finding additional evidence to support your argument from a variety of sources.
Look to find rebuttals for both the individual parts of their argument in addition to the whole of it. This will fortify your position in the debate.
Many times their argument will be the opposite of yours, so while your argument lists the pros, theirs is listing the cons of a particular value. If you pay attention to this, you will be able to not only prove their side of the argument invalid, but also help to further promote your own.

Write this more detailed outline as if you were actually speaking in the debate. This will help you to better understand your own argument and come up with logical questions and rebuttals for your opponent.

Avoiding Logical Fallacies

Step 1 Steer clear of using a straw man argument.

For example, if you're promoting the abolition of the death penalty, your opponent might commit the straw man by accusing you of lacking sympathy for the families of victims, and that you don't want true criminals to pay for their crimes.

Step 2 Refrain from making assumptions to dodge the slippery slope fallacy.

For example, if you're arguing for legalizing gay marriage and your opponent says that it is a bad idea, because soon enough we will be legalizing polygamy and bestial relationships in all the states.

Step 3 Avoid the ad hominem fallacy by not attacking your opponent.

For example, if you've presented a well-crafted argument for your case but your opponent has not, they may instead try to call out your bad grades as a rebuttal. Even if this is true, it isn't relevant to the topic of the debate and therefore isn't logically valid.
Even if your opponent brings personal issues and insults into a debate, you should never do this back to them. Not only is it logically fallacious; it's also widely considered rude.

Step 4 Stick to using specific language to avoid the ambiguity fallacy.

For example, if you were to claim that electric cars are “always” cleaner than gas cars, your opponent might point out that a gas car in a carwash is cleaner than an electric car covered in mud. To avoid this fallacy, steer clear of ambiguous words like “always.”

Step 5 Stay away from the bandwagon fallacy.

For example, it would be logically fallacious to argue that the death penalty is the most effective form of punishment just because most people support it.

Step 6 Be careful of using the false dilemma fallacy.

For example, your opponent states that as a result, the only two options are to legalize all drugs or to outlaw them.

Community Q&A

Reader Videos

Debates are based on evidence, support, and organization. Do your best to find appropriate resources and to keep your arguments easy to follow. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Do not rely on emotional appeals. Though emotional appeals are a powerful motivator for change, debates are based on logic and evidence. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

↑ https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/socstud/frame_found_sr2/tns/tn-13.pdf
↑ https://learn.stleonards.vic.edu.au/debating/files/2013/08/DEBATING-CHEAT-SHEET.pdf
↑ https://www.wittenberg.edu/sites/default/files/media/occ/forms/debate.pdf
↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/developing_an_outline/types_of_outlines.html
↑ https://valenciacollege.edu/students/learning-support/winter-park/communications/documents/SampleArgumentOutline.pdf
↑ https://www.comm.pitt.edu/four-step-refutation
↑ https://www.gvsu.edu/cms4/asset/CC3BFEEB-C364-E1A1-A5390F221AC0FD2D/avoiding_logical_fallacies.pdf
↑ https://www.palomar.edu/users/bthompson/Fallacies%20of%20Ambiguity.html

About This Article

To write a debate outline, start by writing down your primary argument or the case you are trying to prove. Under your argument, list the supporting evidence so that the most powerful and persuasive evidence is presented first. Then, list potential questions or arguments that may be brought up by the other side, along with different ways to counter them. Finally, organize your outline using headings, subheadings, and bulleted lists, and write out each section in complete, detailed sentences. For more advice, including how to avoid logical fallacies that can hurt or weaken your argument, keep reading. Did this summary help you? Yes No