How to Write an Opening and
Closing Statement
Learn how to put these two important pieces
of the debate together, and the major
differences so the audience experiences them
the way they are meant to be experienced!
 Share your facts!
 Everyone in the group must have all the facts that you
collected on your topic so that anyone in the group can argue
at any moment during the debates.
 Create a shared Google Doc so that you can all copy and
paste your facts to one area and then add them to your debate
packet in notability for the day of!
 The team should know both sides.
 It is important for you to understand both sides of the debate
to prepare for what their rebuttals and main arguments are
going to be.
 You are required to have a presentation with the opening
statement.
 Prezi or Explain Everything slides- work together as a team
to create this.
 An Intro
 At least 3 main ideas/arguments (the arguments must
have an assertion, reasoning, and evidence)
 Assertion: A statement that you’re trying to prove with an
argument
 Reasoning: The “because” part of your argument, offering
support for your assertion.
 Evidence: Support for your reasoning, using contemporary
or historical examples, statistical or scientific information.
 A conclusion
 Wrap up your speech, remind the audience of what your
main ideas/arguments were!
Example of Assertion, Reasoning,
and Evidence
Assertion: Boxing is intended to harm the participants.
Reasoning: Unlike other sports, in which physical collisions and body
damage occurs, the point of boxing is to do harm to an opponent. The goal in
boxing is the “knock-out” – unconsciousness that is the result of brain
damage.
Evidence: And boxers succeed in doing a great deal of harm. Levander
Johnson died from brain injuries; both Quarry brothers passed away before
the age of 55 from a lifetime of beatings; Michael Watson is confined to a
wheelchair; Gerald McClellan is in a coma, Muhammad Ali has Parkinson’s
disease from second impact syndrome. According to the Journal of Combat
Sport as many as 1,000 boxers may have died in the past century with many
thousands more seriously injured.
 Do you have repetition or a slogan?
 A good speech will remind the audience of their main argument, a
slogan like King’s “I have a dream” repeats to the point that the
audience will forever remember it.
 It should be 2-3 minutes in length
 If you are handwriting it, it should be about 3-4 pages.
 If you are below the 2 minute mark you will not be considered
proficient!
 Usually the opening is more of a logical/expert argument
 You are listing your facts and evidence
 The closing is more emotional
 Use great persuasive & academic language!
 You will be interrupted during the opening statement with the
other teams’ rebuttals. Be prepared, practice your speech and
write in your notes or note cards where you can pause and
allow the other team to speak.
 A much shorter intro, body, and conclusion (compared to
the opening statement)
 Restate your debate teams 3 main ideas/arguments
 Remind the audience of your most important ideas
 Do not introduce new information
 Use the same slogan or repetition that was used in the
opening statement
 You are a team you should sound similar in style! In order to do this
you must communicate with each other!
 Make an emotional connection with the audience
 Use imagery or figurative language (similes, metaphors, etc.)
 The closing statement must be at least 1-2 minutes
 You will not be considered proficient if it is below a minute
 The closing statement is the most important part of the
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presentation. People are most likely to remember the
closing because it is what they heard last.
Also, the closing should summarize the main ideas of the
debate and leave the audience wanting to vote for your
team for the win.
Emphasize the key points (main ideas) of your debate!
There are no rebuttals during this section, you will not be
interrupted.
Sometimes a presentation, while not required, can really
help your “emotional” connection with the audience
Opening Statement
 Uses logical and expert
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arguments mostly.
Has an organized intro,
body, and conclusion
Must have a presentation to
go along with it
Interrupted with rebuttals
from the other team.
2-3 minutes in length
Uses very persuasive
language, quotes, survey
statistics, facts, and
interview information if at
all possible.
Closing Statement
 Uses emotional arguments
 Has an organized but
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SHORTER intro, body, and
conclusion
Repeats the most important
arguments and facts as
stated in the opening
statement
Is not interrupted with
rebuttals, no one is allowed
to talk during your speech.
Is only1-2 minutes in
length.
IS the last the audience
hears from your team.
 Honors students don’t forget to do the digital
WSQ!