Shipwreck — Debate Tips

Shipwreck is a persuasion / debate event where participants argue why they (or their assigned character) deserves the last life jacket on a sinking ship. The judge decides who is most convincing.

Types of Shipwreck

Normal Shipwreck

Plead for yourself. Convince the judge why you, as yourself, deserve to survive.

Anti-Shipwreck

Plead for your opponent. Argue why the other person deserves the life jacket more than you. Requires deflecting attention away from yourself.

Situational Shipwreck

You are assigned a specific character and scenario. Argue from that character's perspective. Examples: celebrity on a sinking yacht, scientist with a vital discovery, etc.

Judging Criteria

Winning Tips

1. Body language matters — stand tall, maintain eye contact, use purposeful gestures
2. Speak clearly — pace yourself, vary your tone, project your voice
3. Avoid logical fallacies — ad hominem, straw man, and false dilemmas weaken your case
4. Use humour strategically — a well-timed joke can win the crowd
5. Charisma counts — be likable, be genuine, connect with the judge
6. Mix emotion with facts — pure logic feels cold; pure emotion feels manipulative
7. Quote authority — reference a book, a leader, or a proverb to add weight
8. Adapt on the fly — respond to what your opponent says; don't read from a script

Sample Scenarios

• Normal: You are a single mother with a young child visiting a sick relative
• Anti: A young off-duty lifeguard vs. an elderly woman who raised five children
• Situational: A controversial celebrity on a sinking yacht with their assistant