Debate speech template: build your case on cue cards
A general debate case on cue cards: hook, definitions, team line, two or three arguments with evidence and impact, rebuttal space and a strong close. Works for most school formats.
Speech9 cardsAbout 5 min to speakIntermediateSchool
Rebuttal speech template for the second speaker
Cue cards for a second speaker's speech: group and answer the other team's arguments, rebuild your own case, then add new arguments that extend your team line.
Free to use, edit, print and study. No account needed: your set stays on this device.
The cards
- 1
Your job as second speaker
- Rebut the strongest points from the other side
- Defend your first speaker's arguments
- Add your new arguments
Usual split: about a third of your time on rebuttal, the rest on new material. Adjust to your format.
- 2
Flow sheet
While they speak, note each argument in short form:
- Their point 1: [___]
- Their point 2: [___]
- Their point 3: [___]
- Any attack on us: [___]
Star the one that would hurt you most if left unanswered.
- 3
Group the clash
Rather than answering in order, group by theme:
"The other team's case raises two main issues: [issue A] and [issue B]. Let me deal with each."
Grouping sounds strategic and saves time.
- 4
Four ways to rebut
- Not true: the facts are wrong or the example is not typical
- Does not follow: the reasoning has a gap
- Not important: true, but our impact is bigger
- Turn it: their point actually supports us
Name the type in your head before you speak.
- 5
Rebuttal wording
"They told you that [their claim]."
"But [your answer: wrong / doesn't follow / not important / supports us], because [reason]."
"So this point should not change the adjudicator's mind, because [___]."
- 6
Rebuild your case
"They tried to attack our first argument by saying [___]."
"That misses the point: [restate the argument and why it still stands]."
Keep it brief. Then move forward.
- 7
New argument
"Moving on to my substantive material. Our team line is [___], and I will add [argument 3]."
- Claim: [___]
- Reasoning: [___]
- Example: [___]
- Impact: [___]
- 8
Time check
Mark the halfway point of your speech on this card:
- By [___ minutes]: rebuttal finished
- By [___ minutes]: rebuild finished
- Final [30 seconds]: close
If you are behind, drop the weakest rebuttal point, never the new argument.
- 9
Close
"So I have shown you why [their main point] fails, and I've added [argument 3], which proves [team line]."
"Our third speaker will [summarise the key clashes]."
"For these reasons, we [propose / oppose]."
How to use this template
The second speaker's speech is where a debate starts to clash. You need to answer the other team's strongest points, repair any damage to your own case and still bring new arguments, all in the same time slot. These cards help you do that in a clear order. A flow sheet card captures the other side's arguments as they speak. The grouping card helps you answer by theme instead of point by point, and the four ways to rebut card gives you a quick check for every response: is it untrue, does it not follow, does it not matter, or does it actually help us? The second half of the set is for rebuilding and adding your own argument. Timings vary between formats, so adjust the split.
Tips
- Answer the strongest argument first. Spending time on a weak point while the main one stands is a common reason teams lose.
- Use a different colour pen on the flow sheet for attacks on your own case so you see them at a glance.
- Signpost every move: 'that's my rebuttal; now to my substantive'. It makes your speech easy to follow and to mark.
- Avoid 'they're just wrong'. Always give the reason, and say why it matters to the result.
- Prepare your new argument fully before the round so your thinking time goes on rebuttal.
Make it fit
- In formats with short speeches, reduce rebuttal to the single biggest clash and keep one new argument.
- As second negative or opposition, open with a direct attack on the affirmative model if it has a weakness.
- For a speech that is all rebuttal, delete the new argument card and give each group of clash its own card.
- For a classroom activity, practise the four rebuttal types on simple claims before using them in a full debate.
Updated October 28, 2026