Debates

1. Lesson 6Lesson 6
 GOALSGOALS
 1. express your opinion in various1. express your opinion in various
situations in oral and written formssituations in oral and written forms
 2. express agreement and disagreement2. express agreement and disagreement
 3. mini debate3. mini debate

2. Agreeing and DisagreeingAgreeing and Disagreeing
Giving opinions andGiving opinions and
discussing likes and dislikesdiscussing likes and dislikes

3. Why is knowing how to agree orWhy is knowing how to agree or
disagree important?disagree important?
 The ability to argue or simply to agree orThe ability to argue or simply to agree or
disgree is valuable because we use it fordisgree is valuable because we use it for
so many reasons: both to make choicesso many reasons: both to make choices
for ourselves and to persuade others.for ourselves and to persuade others.
Without this ability to argue we lose ourWithout this ability to argue we lose our
power to affect change (Hall & Birkerts,power to affect change (Hall & Birkerts,
1998).1998).

4. Expressing one’s opinionExpressing one’s opinion
 Use certain expression to signal that youUse certain expression to signal that you
agree/disagreeagree/disagree
 Speak with confidenceSpeak with confidence
 Always state your reason why you agreeAlways state your reason why you agree
or disagree.or disagree.

5.  Do you think deathDo you think death
penalty should bepenalty should be
reimplemented?reimplemented?
What do you think?

6. 1.Express Opinions1.Express Opinions
 (Personally), I think …+[opinion](Personally), I think …+[opinion]
 I feel that …I feel that …
 My feeling is that …My feeling is that …
 It seems to me …It seems to me …
 In my opinion,…In my opinion,…
 From my point of view, …From my point of view, …
 If you ask me, …If you ask me, …
 No doubt about it, …No doubt about it, …
 As I see it, …As I see it, …
 If you ask me …If you ask me …
 It strikes that …It strikes that …

7. 2. Agreement2. Agreement
 AbsolutelyAbsolutely
 I agree (completely).I agree (completely).
 I quite agree.I quite agree.
 I couldn't agree more.I couldn't agree more.
 That’s exactly what I was thinking.That’s exactly what I was thinking.
 That’s just how I see it.That’s just how I see it.
 That’s a good point.That’s a good point.
 That’s worth thinking about.That’s worth thinking about.
 Your are right.Your are right.
 That may be.That may be.

8. 3. Disagreement3. Disagreement
 I disagree.I disagree.
 I’m afraid I don’t agree./ I wouldn't agree.I’m afraid I don’t agree./ I wouldn't agree.
 I’m sorry but I really can’t agree.I’m sorry but I really can’t agree.
 I’m not sure I agree with you.I’m not sure I agree with you.
 I'm not so sure about that.I'm not so sure about that.

9. Issue 1:Issue 1:
Television Plays a Positive Role in SocietyTelevision Plays a Positive Role in Society
 ExpressionsExpressions
 Well, from my point of view…Well, from my point of view…
 Don’t you think that…?Don’t you think that…?
 What about you?What about you?
 What’s your reaction to that?What’s your reaction to that?
 Would you like to add anything?Would you like to add anything?
 In spite of this, …In spite of this, …
 For instance…For instance…
 As a matter of fact…As a matter of fact…
 Even so…Even so…
 What’s more…What’s more…
 Because of this…Because of this…
 To put it simply…To put it simply…
 Unless we…, we won’t…Unless we…, we won’t…
 That sounds like a good idea,That sounds like a good idea,
but…but…
 I’m not really sure…I’m not really sure…
 If you ask me…If you ask me…
 Don’t you agree that…?Don’t you agree that…?
 You know what I think? I thinkYou know what I think? I think
that…that…
 I’m not sure if I agree.I’m not sure if I agree.
 Maybe, but don’t you think that..?Maybe, but don’t you think that..?
Pro :
Well, from my point of view
television is now playing a
very important role in our lives.
Con:
Don’t you think that
television is a great time waster.

10. Activity:Activity:
 Pick up one argument from the pile.Pick up one argument from the pile.
 Decide if it is an con or pro argument.Decide if it is an con or pro argument.
 Move to the con or pro corner.Move to the con or pro corner.
 Share your argument with your partners.Share your argument with your partners.
 Complete your arguments with a possibleComplete your arguments with a possible
expression of agreement or disagrement.expression of agreement or disagrement.
 Share your arguments with the class.Share your arguments with the class.

11. Part 1: With Your Partner, Think of at LeastPart 1: With Your Partner, Think of at Least
One Strong Reason for Each ResolutionOne Strong Reason for Each Resolution
 1. Women should quit their job after they get married.1. Women should quit their job after they get married.
REASON:REASON:
2. Love is more important than money.2. Love is more important than money.
REASON:REASON:
3. It is better to be married than single.3. It is better to be married than single.
REASON:REASON:
4. Writing by hand is better than writing by computer.4. Writing by hand is better than writing by computer.
REASON:REASON:
Part 2: Now Compare Your Reasons with Another
Pair and Decide Whose Reasons are Stronger and Why

12. Ways to State Reasons:Ways to State Reasons:
 .. Comparison: X is _____ er than Y.Comparison: X is _____ er than Y.
OR: X is more _____ than Y.OR: X is more _____ than Y.
 Cause-and-effect:Cause-and-effect:
X causes Y.X causes Y.
OR: If you do X, then Y will happen.OR: If you do X, then Y will happen.

13. AHow to Agree Strongly with an Opinion.AHow to Agree Strongly with an Opinion.
1.1. I couldn't agree more!I couldn't agree more!
2.2. That's absolutely true!That's absolutely true!
3.3. Absolutely!Absolutely!
4.4. I agree with your point.I agree with your point.
5.5. I'd go along with you there.I'd go along with you there.
6.6. I'm with you on that.I'm with you on that.
7.7. That's just what I was thinking.That's just what I was thinking.
8.8. That's exactly what I think.That's exactly what I think.
9.9. That's a good point.That's a good point.
10.10. That's just how I see it.That's just how I see it.
11.11. That's exactly my opinion.That's exactly my opinion.
B. How to Half Agree with an Opinion.B. How to Half Agree with an Opinion.
1.1. Yes, perhaps, however ...Yes, perhaps, however ...
2.2. Well, yes, but ...Well, yes, but ...
3.3. Yes, in a way, however ...Yes, in a way, however ...
4.4. Hmm, possibly, but ...Hmm, possibly, but ...
5.5. Yes, I agree up to a point, however ...Yes, I agree up to a point, however ...
6.6. Well, you have a point there, but ...Well, you have a point there, but ...
7.7. There's something there, I suppose, however.There's something there, I suppose, however.
8.8. I guess you could be right, but ...I guess you could be right, but ...
9.9. Yes, I suppose so, however ...Yes, I suppose so, however ...
10.10. That's worth thinking about, but ...That's worth thinking about, but ...
C. How to Disagree Politely with an Opinion.C. How to Disagree Politely with an Opinion.
1.1. I am not so sure.I am not so sure.
2.2. Do you think so?Do you think so?
3.3. Well, it depends.Well, it depends.
4.4. I'm not so certain.I'm not so certain.
5.5. Well, I don't know.Well, I don't know.
6.6. Well, I'm not so sure about that.Well, I'm not so sure about that.
7.7. Hmm, I'm not sure you're right.Hmm, I'm not sure you're right.
8.8. I'm inclined to disagree with that.I'm inclined to disagree with that.
9.9. No, I don't think so.No, I don't think so.
D. How to Disagree Strongly with an Opinion.D. How to Disagree Strongly with an Opinion.
1.1. I disagree.I disagree.
2.2. I disagree with your idea.I disagree with your idea.
3.3. I'm afraid I don't agree.I'm afraid I don't agree.
4.4. I'm afraid your idea is wrong.I'm afraid your idea is wrong.
5.5. I can't agree with you.I can't agree with you.
6.6. I couldn't accept that for a minute.I couldn't accept that for a minute.
7.7. You can't actually mean that.You can't actually mean that.
8.8. I wouldn't go along with you there.I wouldn't go along with you there.
9.9. You can't be serious about that.You can't be serious about that.
10.10. You must be joking.You must be joking.
11.11. It's possible you are mistaken about that.It's possible you are mistaken about that.

14. GRAMMAR:GRAMMAR: So do I / NeitherSo do I / Neither
do I / etcdo I / etc
 I’m very interested inI’m very interested in
archaeology.archaeology.
 I can’t stand waiting inI can’t stand waiting in
airports.airports.
 My friends and I playMy friends and I play
tennis a lot.tennis a lot.
 I’ll be going to theI’ll be going to the
south of Chile in Dec.south of Chile in Dec.
 I don’t believe inI don’t believe in
politicians.politicians.
 So am I.So am I.
 Neither can I.Neither can I.
 So do we.So do we.
 So will I.So will I.
 Neither do I.Neither do I.

15.  To agree with a positiveTo agree with a positive
 statement:statement:
 We use so + auxiliarymodal verb + pronoun:We use so + auxiliarymodal verb + pronoun:
 "I like tea without sugar.'"I like tea without sugar.'
'So do I.''So do I.'
 To agree with a negative statement:To agree with a negative statement:
 We use nor/neither + auxiliarymodal verb + pronoun:We use nor/neither + auxiliarymodal verb + pronoun:
 "I don't like tea with sugar.'"I don't like tea with sugar.'
'Nor do I.' or 'Neither do I.''Nor do I.' or 'Neither do I.'
 To disagree with a positive statement:To disagree with a positive statement:
 We use pronoun + auxiliarymodal verb + not (-n't):We use pronoun + auxiliarymodal verb + not (-n't):
 "I like tea without sugar.'"I like tea without sugar.'
'I don't.''I don't.'
 To disagree with a negative statement:To disagree with a negative statement:
 We use pronoun + auxiliarymodal verb:We use pronoun + auxiliarymodal verb:
 "I don't like tea with sugar.'"I don't like tea with sugar.'
'I do.'I do.

16. PRACTICEPRACTICE
 Example: I’m tired.Example: I’m tired. So am I.So am I.
 I didn’t like Jurassic Park. (agree)I didn’t like Jurassic Park. (agree)
 I can’t stand people who are rude. (agree)I can’t stand people who are rude. (agree)
 I should really exercise more. (agree)I should really exercise more. (agree)
 I’ve never been to Fiji. (agree)I’ve never been to Fiji. (agree)
 I like going to the movies. (disagree)I like going to the movies. (disagree)
 I usually go on vacation somewhere in theI usually go on vacation somewhere in the
summer. (disagree)summer. (disagree)

17. Preliminary practicePreliminary practice
AgreeingAgreeing
Exercise 1Exercise 1
Student 1 : I like spaghetti.Student 1 : I like spaghetti.
Student 2: So do I. I don't like snakes.Student 2: So do I. I don't like snakes.
Student 3: Nor do I. I like playing tennis.Student 3: Nor do I. I like playing tennis.
Student 4 : ?Student 4 : ?
Exercise 2Exercise 2
 Student 1 : I've been to Rio.Student 1 : I've been to Rio.
 Student 2: So have I. I have never done karateStudent 2: So have I. I have never done karate
 Student 3: Nor have I. I have canoed in a river.Student 3: Nor have I. I have canoed in a river.
 Student 4: ?Student 4: ?

18. DEBATEDEBATE
 It is a more formal way of communicatingIt is a more formal way of communicating
our arguments with others.our arguments with others.
 It always has two sides:It always has two sides: the affirmativethe affirmative
andand the negativethe negative

19. Three components of debateThree components of debate
 1. Argument : collection of claims;1. Argument : collection of claims;
evidence and proof of the team’s case andevidence and proof of the team’s case and
its disproofits disproof
 of the other side’s case.of the other side’s case.
 2. Presentation : how the speaker2. Presentation : how the speaker
presents his/her argumentpresents his/her argument
 3. Structure : is the individual form of a3. Structure : is the individual form of a
speaker’s speech and how that speechspeaker’s speech and how that speech
links into speeches of the rest of thelinks into speeches of the rest of the

20. ARGUMENTSARGUMENTS
 1. Planning and preparing your arguments1. Planning and preparing your arguments
- There are a number of things that you can do in preparation for a debate.- There are a number of things that you can do in preparation for a debate.
BelowBelow
are some suggestions.are some suggestions.
 Keep up with newspapers, magazines and booksKeep up with newspapers, magazines and books
 Record material, ideas and keep notesRecord material, ideas and keep notes
 Observe and assess other speakers, including public figuresObserve and assess other speakers, including public figures
 Evaluate your materialEvaluate your material
 Talk to other people, ask their opinionsTalk to other people, ask their opinions

21.  Two important things to remember:-Two important things to remember:-
 1. Think of your opening – exactly what1. Think of your opening – exactly what
you are going to say – it has to grabyou are going to say – it has to grab
 everyone’s attentioneveryone’s attention
 2. End on a positive note firmly2. End on a positive note firmly
expounding your view (possibly with aexpounding your view (possibly with a
quote).quote).

22. PRESENTATIONPRESENTATION
 It’s helpful to keep the following in mind:-It’s helpful to keep the following in mind:-
 1. Develop eye contact with the audience1. Develop eye contact with the audience
 2. Use your hands and body naturally to2. Use your hands and body naturally to
emphasise pointsemphasise points
 3. Speak clearly3. Speak clearly
 4. Vary your voice pitch and modulation4. Vary your voice pitch and modulation
 5. Don’t speak too quickly5. Don’t speak too quickly

23.  Body languageBody language
 How you stand and move your head, eyes and hands, will help toHow you stand and move your head, eyes and hands, will help to
convey your message in a very powerful way. Stand tall, shouldersconvey your message in a very powerful way. Stand tall, shoulders
back. You’ll look and feel confident. When you pause, look at theback. You’ll look and feel confident. When you pause, look at the
audience. Maintain good eye contact by looking at individuals withinaudience. Maintain good eye contact by looking at individuals within
the audience (this also gives you feedback – are they going tothe audience (this also gives you feedback – are they going to
sleep? Do you need to speak withsleep? Do you need to speak with

24. Here are some things to avoid
1.Shifting your weight from foot to foot repeatedly. It’s a nervous
reaction which is then conveyed to the audience.
2. Keep reading your notes. When your head is bowed it’s hard to
hear, and you lose eye contact with the audience.
3. Shuffling your notes. This may make you look nervous and is
distracting.
4. Personal Peccadilloes (e.g. twirling hair, pulling on ear). This is
very distracting.

25. ISSUESISSUES
 1.1. Churches and TaxesChurches and Taxes
Should churches (defined as churches,
temples, mosques, synagogues, etc.)
remain tax-exempt?
 2. K12 VS. existing educational system
 3. Free trade
 4.