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English For English For DebateDebate What is a Debate? A debate is a form of argument. It contains two teams arguing opposite sides of a “proposition” in an orderly manner, following the agreed upon rules. The team that agrees with the topic is called the affirmative and the team that disagrees with the topic is called the negative. Teams argue their proposition using reasoning and evidence. The Benefits of a Debate develop positive attitudes toward the intellectual exchange of ideas develop an interest in the investigation of issues and problems become more adept at developing and putting forward ideas learn to think quickly learn to work as a team develop leadership skills develop speaking and listening skills. To be a good debater, you need the confidence to speak in public. the ability to present an argument persuasively. the vision to understand that there are two sides to most arguments. the respect for others, to let them have their say. the sense of timing, to prioritize your material and speak in a given time period. the structure to order your thoughts, to introduce, develop and summarize your points. the general and specific knowledge of many current affairs topics, learnt through research and debate. the flexibility to react quickly to new ideas, and to remain unflustered in crises. Preparing for a debate, you should learn to use a library, and to find the exact information you need in the shortest possible time. to be thorough and accurate. to analyze, to distinguish between the vital and the unimportant. to learn the need of proving your statements; of supporting every statement with valid evidence and sound reasoning to demand the same sort of proof for the statements of others. to present ideas in a clear and effective manner, and in a way, which wins others to your way of thinking. to think under pressure, to “use his head” in a time of need, to make decisions quickly and accurately. How to Construct Effective Arguments Language Accurate pronunciation Articulation Diverse pace and pitch Vocabulary. Avoid speaking too quickly. Try to avoid being too nervous Content Content can be divided into arguments and supporting materials. An argument is a statement “The topic is true or false( depending on which side you are on) because of x”, where the argument fills in for the x. For example in the topic “That the zoos should be closed” an argument may be: “the zoos should be closed because they confine the animals in an unnatural environment”. The most important aspect of debating is that assertions must be justified. No one can be convinced or persuaded of anything if they are given no reason for doing so. That is to say you should use materials to support your arguments. Supporting materials can be examples. Your arguments can also be backed up with other supporting materials, like reasons, statistics, and even with anecdotes, idioms, proverbs, quotations and analogies. Delivery Cue cards Do not write out all your speech on cue cards. Debating is an exercise in lively interaction between two teams and between the audiences, not in reading a speech. The audience can tell when you are reading. Use cue cards the same way you would use a prompt(提示词词） in a play. They are there for reference if you lose your spot. Eye contact Voice Body language Remember Confidence is vital in debate. Your presentation, speech, and appearance matter almost as much as your delivery and your content. So Dress appropriately Have notes prepared. You do not want your debate to be an oral presentation of a written essay. Practice speaking aloud in front of a mirror and then in front of other people. Refute arguments Refutation is the process of proving that an argument or a series of arguments, or the conclusions drawn from that argument or arguments, is false, erroneous, or at least doubtful. In a debate, effective refutations are key to success. Refutation should be handled systematically. Guidelines to follow Anticipate what your opponent will say. Take careful notes of what your opponent says and note your reactions to what is said. Find your opponents fallacies in arguments and attack on that basis Organize your arguments effectively. Avoid fallacies in arguments Making effective and logical arguments is the most effective key to success in a debate. To make your arguments sound, you have to be careful about fallacies in reasoning. Typical fallacies Emotional argument Emotional arguments are based on feelings, not logic. For example, “Listen ! I love New Zealand. I love the All Blacks, the Tall Ferns. We should get down on our knees and thank the sporting gods for them” Doubtful authority An argument supported by a person who is not accepted as an expert is considered ineffective. Here is one example: Let us consider the questions of sport. My Dad told me that the Americas Cup is organized for millionaires, and funded by the money the Australians pay us to lose to them in all sports. Circular argument You should avoid arguments that go round and round but never get to the point. For example: Segregation should be prohibited for it is morally wrong; we know it is morally wrong because it is a practice that should be prohibited. Irrelevant conclusion Another typical type of fallacy is forming an argument that can not be proved by the ideas put forward. For instance: All these points go to show that on this planet we are the greatest sporting nation ever! Limited example You should avoid an argument which only applies in a few situations. Here is one example: And what about Peter Hillary climbing Everest? That is proof that we are the worlds top climbing nation. Personal attack Personal attack means criticizing the speaker instead of what they have said, Do not criticize the individual speakers, criticize what they say. Oral Functions Bank How to agree strongly with an opinion I couldnt agree more! Thats absolutely true Absolutely /Sure/Good idea. Definitely/Exactly. I agree completely/entirely with this idea. I totally agree with you. I take your point Id go along with you Im with you on that. Im for you/on your side. I think so too. You can say that again. I dont think so either. Thats just what I want to say/what I mean/ what I was thinking. Thats exactly what I think. Thats a good point. Thats just how I see it. Thats exactly my opinion. That sounds perfect/a good idea. Sounds good to me. I have no objection to it. How to disagree strongly with an opinion Are you crazy ? What ? You must be joking. Thats absurd/ridiculous! Nonsense/Rubbish! No way. Just on the contrary /Just the other way round. I disagree Im afraid I dont agree. Im afraid you are wrong. I think you are absolutely wrong! I really cant agree. I wouldnt accept that for one minute. You cant really mean that. I wouldnt go along with you there. You cant be serious. Thats your opinion, but not mine. To tell you the truth, I have different opinions. You must be joking. I think this idea is impossible /impractical /bad. I think this idea cannot be implemented. I dont agree with this idea. I think it is a bad idea. Half agree with an opinion Yes, perhaps. Well, yes. Yes, in a way. Mmm, possibly. Yes, I agree up to a point. Well, youve got a point there. Theres something in that, I suppose. I guess you could be right. Yes, I suppose so. I agree partially with this idea. This idea is partially right. I sort of agree. Thats worth thinking about. Maybe. How to disagree politely with an opinion I am not so sure really. Do you think so? Well, it depends. Im not so certain. Well, I dont know. Well, lm not so sure about that. Mmm, Im not really sure youre right. Im not sure that I agree with this idea. Im inclined to disagree with that. No, I dont think so really. I think this idea is possible, but The project is feasible, but. As a matter of fact, I would say How to present both sides of an argument On the one hand, on the other hand. Although its true to say that, its also true to say that. Assignment Get ready to take part in a debate on the topic you are going to choose. Your debate should cover: distribution of the roles clear statement of your arguments valid evidence and sound reasoning brief and to the point summary Time limit: First debater: 1 mins Second & third debater: 30 seconds Last debater: 1 mins Free debate: 10 mins Topics for further debate 1. Can we live without our mobile phone? 2. Should college students be allowed to rent a house off-campus? 3. Does EQ outweigh IQ for a successful career? 4. Children: to have or not to have? 5. Is the College Entrance Examination the best way for universities to enroll students in China? 6. Does the pursuit of money contradict with the pursuit of morality? Responsibilities You are now a member of your selected team. Your team will be graded as a whole. Be sure that you work together so that all members of your team have an adequate background of the positions and arguments that you will be proposing. -1. There will be an opening statement made by your team. This should be 1 minute long and should state your teams position and the arguments/solutions you will be proposing. Responsible Members: _ Useful Expressions 主席 评委 一辩 二辩 对方辩友 正方 反方 chairman judge first debater second debater my fellow debaters the positive side the con side nHonorable judges, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen Assessment Presentation 20% Questioning 5% Answering 20% Free debate 20% Summarizing 20% Demeanor 15%
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