Resources · Cheat sheet
Second Speaker cheat sheet
The deputy speech is where debates are usually won or lost: you have to tear down the other side's case, repair your own, and still deliver a brand-new argument. This sheet structures all three jobs: rebuttal and rebuilding in “they say / however” form, then a fully mechanized extension.
Second Speaker / Deputy
wsdcacademy.comWorld Schools Debate · rebut → rebuild → extend
Introductionone rhetorical device: historical example · emotional appeal · logical link
Opening frame: re-anchor the judge to your side of the debate
Rebuttal: their Argument 1
Exchange 1
They say…
However…
Exchange 2
They say…
However…
Exchange 3
They say…
However…
Their argument fails because… (summary of responses)
Rebuttal: their Argument 2
Exchange 1
They say…
However…
Exchange 2
They say…
However…
Exchange 3
They say…
However…
Their argument fails because… (summary of responses)
Rebuilding: our Argument 1
Exchange 1
They say…
However…
Exchange 2
They say…
However…
Exchange 3
They say…
However…
Our argument still stands because… (summary of rebuilding)
Rebuilding: our Argument 2
Exchange 1
They say…
However…
Exchange 2
They say…
However…
Exchange 3
They say…
However…
Our argument still stands because… (summary of rebuilding)
New argument / extension
Tagline (short, memorable title)
Mechanism 1
Reasoning: why is this true?
Example / evidence
Mechanism 2
Reasoning: why is this true?
Example / evidence
Mechanism 3
Reasoning: why is this true?
Example / evidence
Impact & weighing
Impact: depth and scale of what follows
Weighing vs. the other side
Conclusion
Summary of the speech
Final framing / caseline
How to use this sheet
- 1
Rebut the best version of their argument. Judges notice when you answer a weaker version of what was actually said. Steel-man it, then break it. That is what earns Content marks.
- 2
Rebuild before you extend. A new argument on top of a collapsed case impresses nobody. Spend real time showing why your first speaker’s material survives their rebuttal.
- 3
Every exchange gets a conclusion. The "this shows their argument fails because…" line converts a list of responses into a judgment the judge can write down. Do not skip it.
- 4
Budget ruthlessly. A common split is roughly three minutes of rebuttal and rebuilding, four minutes of extension, one minute of framing. Adjust live based on how much damage the other side actually did.
Get the matching sheets for the rest of your bench: first speaker and third speaker, and see how judges score rebuttal under the 40/40/20 criteria. For the full walk-through of the role, read the second speaker guide.
Rebuttal is a rep sport.
Our classes drill “they say / however” laddering against live opposition every week, with written feedback on every round.
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