Lesson 9: Debate

Learning Activity No. 11:

What are the essential underpinnings of Virtual Discussion No. 5

Debate Skill: Argument Building

The first video entitled “Debate Skill: Argument Building” talks about, from the title itself, argument
building. Argument structure has three parts, an assertion, a reason and an evidence. Assertion is a
claim or statement that needs to be proven or explained basically it's the idea that you want to try to
make when creating an argument to support or pose the current resolution. Example in the video is
“attending academies is good for children’ so the argument should describe how academies are good
for children. The assertion provided is “children enjoy learning at academies” which was a good
assertion because it supports the resolution. It is a statement that can be supported with reasoning and
there can be evidenced found to also support the argument.

Reasoning is the act of proving an assertion by explaining, describing and elaborating. Basically it’s
to show that the argument has logic in it. And also should be explained very simply and clearly. And
going back to the argument, the assertion “children enjoy learning at academies” now needs to
answer “why do children enjoy learning in academies?” So the reason might be “academies have a
positive effect on their education”. The reasoning supports the assertion and explains why children
enjoy going to academies.

And lastly, evidence are facts information or observations presented in support of an assertion. With
the resolution “attending academies is good for children” when finding evidence it is needed to make
sure that it supports the assertion and the reasoning.

And upon completing the argument, we could now make argument for the pro side that follows the
assertion or evidence structure. And a reminder, when constructing arguments for a competition and
for class impact should be considered. At the end of the argument it should be explained why that
argument is important in the debate.

Introduction to the Debate

The second video, “Introduction to the Debate” talks about everything we should know about debate.
So what is debate? A debate is a formal disagreement. Typically a disagreement has two sides pro
and con. The pro side is in agreement with the issue in question while the con side is opposed to it.
In a formal debate the pro side is referred to as the proposition and the con side is known as the
opposition. It is said that disagreements can escalate into all-out fights but not in a formal debate.

Then it also talks about how a debate works and introduces what formal debate is. Formal debates are
civilized opponents express their beliefs with words not with fists. In order to maintain orderly and
civilized disagreement the debate requires that participants follow a very strict format starting with
the proposition.
Each side is allowed five minutes to present their position then this is followed by a second round
during which both the proposition and the opposition are given five more minutes to elaborate on
their positions. Finally each side is given three minutes for a rebuttal and during the rebuttal, each
side explains why their opponent’s argument is false or invalid. During the first and second rounds
the proposition speaks first however during the rebuttal round the opposition is given first chance to
speak the most.

An important thing to remember in a debate is that a debate is an organized disagreement in which

each side gets an equal chance to present their position. And in a formal debate there is something
called a POI (Points of Interruption), an opposing debater can ask to challenge the presenter the
speaker can decide whether or not they will entertain that interruption and if accepted the POI is
allowed 15 seconds to speak. So that’s all about the things we should know about a debate.

Public Speaking and Debating for Beginners

Dave, the speaker in the third video entitled “Public Speaking and Debating for Beginners” gave an
introduction about public speaking and debating. According to him, public speaking is fun,
challenging, and exciting but also to many people, public speaking is also very daunting and
intimidating. And in the words of Jerry Seinfeld speaking in front of a crowd is considered the
number one fear of the average person. To make it entertaining, he mentioned in his speech that in a
funeral, it’s either you’re the one giving a eulogy or the one in the casket.

His purpose upon doing the speech was to light our path from the intimidation towards the thrill of
public speaking in front of crowds and groups. He said that according to the National Institute for
mental health seventy-four percent of adults suffer from speech anxiety. He then asked a question,
“Where does the fear of public speaking come from?” and said that it come from two places,
personality and uncertainty. Then talked about how we can overcome that fear.

The thing that marked in my mind the most as when he said “seize the opportunity not the
uncertainty” because as for someone who fears speaking in public and has social anxiety, I am afraid
of being judged. I haven’t gotten over that fear no matter how much I try. It could simply be because
I don’t want to be in the so-called “spotlight” and rather just stay behind the peering eyes of people.
Though I am most comfortable in writing, I do want to overcome this fear in the future and it’s just a
shame that I’d rather hide than face that fear.

Learning Activity No. 12: (maga vid pa)

Design and present a debate with a group in a video format

Lesson 10: Persuasive/ Expository Oratory (ma vid pa)

owl and the pussy cat

Lesson 11: Interpretative/ Dramatic Oratory (the Art of Acting) (ma vid)
Learning Activity No. 13:
Present and deliver an interpretative oratory of the following in video format: O Captain! My
Captain! O Captain; and Soliloquy of Shylock Shylock’s speech ‘If it will feed nothing…

Learning Activity No. 14:

Compose and present a 3-minute original dramatic monologue in a video format

Learning Activity No. 15: Rejoinder and illustration of the Virtual Discussion No. 6

Acting - What is it? How to do it? Why do it? | David Wenham | TEDxSydney
‘An actor at their very core are story tellers. Art, acting and performance are an expression of
life – our cultures, our worries, our love, our strengths, our weaknesses and our existential
curiosity. It is political and spiritual in equal measure. It can stimulate debate, educate,
dissect life or rise up against oppression. It is relevant because our culture and our art is our
defining characteristic from the other animals we share the world with,’ explained Neil
Rawlinson, the Creative Projects Manager of the Actors Centre.

Lessons In Theatre That Have Nothing to Do With Acting | Marianne Adams | TEDxHelena
Marianne Adams tells it like it is in this entertaining TED Talk. Marianne has directed
countless plays, taught acting classes for kids for years and has won awards for theatre
education. Many of her points are relevant lessons for kids and adults alike, the most
important being ‘Don’t be a Jerk!’.

She mentioned that “actors are not real people”. Actors are there to represent something
and to entertain viewers, although they’re real people, they’re not real people, they’re only
characters who plays a role. It’s their job and whatever character they portray, it has nothing
to do with them in reality.

A life lesson she said, one needs to be present. Pictures stay for long but memories also
does. You have to feel the moment, be present because pictures can’t compare to
experience.

Lesson Activity 11A: Interpretative Oratory "O Captain! My Captain!" (VID)

Lesson Activity 11B: Interpretative Oratory "Soliloquy of Shylock" (VID)
Monologue script

Red thread

Red string of fate. Most probably everyone knows what this represent. Love. An intangible string
connecting two people by fate, the ones we call soulmates. Isn’t it romantic that there’s one
special person solely made for you in this world. Someone who you can call your soulmate,
someone who shares a part of your soul. Romantic indeed. Sadly it’s just a myth and being able
to see the red string is also another myth but what if it wasn’t? What if there really is a string
connecting two souls and people who can see them? It would be a blessing.

But being able to see the red string is more of a curse rather than a blessing. Yes, a curse. Life
isn’t all just about love and being in love. I mean, if there really exists these red strings of fate,
will that just be it? Whoever the universe chose for us, will we don’t have any other choice but to
follow what fate already planned for us? Do we not have a say to that? Will you let some
intangible thread dictate you for the rest of your life? How about those who made their own
choices and not follow the string connecting to their supposedly other half, does that mean they
won’t be genuinely happy?

Why do some people still believe in that myth or why do they say “oh I think I found my
soulmate” what do you know about soulmates, really? Someone who shares same traits as you?
Someone who understands and listen to you? That’s your concept of a soulmate? Soulmates are
bonded for all eternity. Your soulmate could be your enemy, your friend, an acquaintance or a
mere stranger. You wouldn’t know them because only the soul does. You might feel at ease with
a certain someone now but that doesn’t mean they’re your soulmate. The one person the
universe chose for you. No one can tell.

Why would you sell yourself short if you can choose on you own? On your own will, on your
own choices? This is why I don’t believe in red strings and soulmates, why should I entrust
myself in uncertainties? I have a mind on my own, a heart on my own. I don’t need a thread to
decide for me. A thread can be cut down by a scissor, there’s no such thing as an uncuttable
thread.