Master the Master Skill - Debate - Debating

1. Debate Writing

3. • A Structured Argument
• Two sides speak alternately for and
against a particular
contention/motion
• Each person is allocated a time

8. https://youtu.be/1TSkkxu8on0

9. Style
THE WAY
Content
WHAT YOU
SAY
Strategy
PLAN &
EXECUTION
Basic Debating Skills

10. • Speed
• Tone
• Volume
• Diction
• Language
• Clarity
• Fluency
• Humour
• Stance, gestures and expressions
• Use of notes and eye contact
Style

11. Content
• Definitions
Whatever the motion is, the first speaker in the debate must define it.
• Case - the parts
Having defined the motion, you must then begin to build a case.
• Case - the whole
The case must be outlined in the introduction. This involves stating
your main arguments and explaining the general thrust of your case.
• Rebuttal - the parts
a direct factual error, an indirect factual error misinterpretation.
• Rebuttal - the whole

12. Strategy
• Fulfilling the correct role
• The Proposer
• The Opposer
• Teamwork

15. USEFUL EXPRESSIONS FOR BEGINNING A DEBATE
• Good morning to all of you present here. I am [name] from----- to
speak on the topic of [title].
• Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here, then pause
a moment, then a quote: "Benjamin Franklin once said ______" or
whatever the quote is.
• Resp. jury and worthy teachers, my fellow mates, honorable guests. A
very GOOD Morning/Noon/Evening…… to one and all present here.
• Then……. Introduce Yourself!

16. USEFUL EXPRESSIONS TO BEGIN A DEBATE
• I take this opportunity to present my views in favour/against
……..”Mention your topic
• Good Morning everyone. Esteemed judges, honourable
guests, respected teachers and my fellow students. I,------feel
honoured to have been given the opportunity to speak
(FOR/AGAINST) the topic- (name of the topic).

17. Giving your opinion about a topic Expressing a strong opinion
• In my opinion, …
• In my view, …
• In my reckoning, …
• I strongly believe in …
• I definitely think that …

18. Giving your opinion about a topic Expressing a strong opinion
• Well, I think …
• I strongly believe
• I have a reason to believe
• I’m sure that…
• I’m pretty sure that…

19. Expressing certainty
•According to government statistics,…
• Actually, …
•In fact, …
• Clearly, …
• Obviously, …

20. Expressing certainty
•Without doubt, …
•There’s no doubt that ….
•Undoubtedly
• Surely, …

21. Agreeing in part
• Yes, perhaps, however ...
• Well, yes, but ...
• Yes, in a way, however…..
• Yes, I agree up to a point, however ...
• Well, you have a point there, but ...

22. Agreeing in part
•There's something there….
• I suppose, however...
• I guess you could be right, but ...
• Yes, I suppose so, however ...
•That's worth thinking about, but ..

23. Expressing complete disagreement
•I don’t think so!
• I disagree
• I disagree entirely.
• I’m afraid I can’t agree.
• I’m afraid you’re wrong
•On the contrary!

24. Expressing complete disagreement
•Definitely not!
•I wonder whether that’s the case.
•Hmmm, I’m not sure about that..
•I’m not sure (that) it works like that.
•I’m not so certain

25. Countering politely
• That may be true, but …
• That might have been the case once, but …
• You may be right about …, but ..
• That’s a good point, but…
• That would be great, except that…
• That may be so, but…

26. Countering politely
• Possibly, but… …,
• but what I’m concerned with is…
• but what I’m afraid of is…
• but what bothers me is…
• but what I don’t like is…
• but what I’m concerned with is…

27. DO’S
• Before you begin writing, write down all the points (one/two
words per point) so that you do not forget relevant points
while writing. This also helps you in maintaining a sequence,
which is very important.
• Make sure you double-check for grammatical accuracy and
spellings. They carry marks.
• Leave an adequate number of lines between paragraphs to
make it look clean.
• Underlining the main points is very important

28. DO’S
• Use a pencil and scale for underlining.
• Always have a few general quotes in handy. They help in
presentation and shows that you’re prepared
• Presentation is very important.
• Have information about all the major environmental, political,
social issues that have taken place during the entire year..

29. DON’Ts
• Never mention any of your personal details, i.e., name, school name
or address.
• Never write in one go. Make sure you follow the right format and
make paragraphs.
• Don’t use slangs or short forms.
• Don’t write the wrong facts.
• Try not to exceed the prescribed word limit of 150-200 words.

30. Be a Smart Debater!
Parveen Kumar
Wisdom World School
Kurukshetra