 What is a debate?

 Why is it important?
 What people debate for a living?
 Lawyers? Politicians?
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Les
Gw274Kjo

 Write down at least one thing you

thought was interesting about debate
mentioned in this video.
 There are 2 types of debate: Formal and
Informal.
 There are two sides in a debate, known
as the Affirmative (or Government) and
the Negative (or Opposition).
 The subject to be discussed is known by
a number of terms: the resolution (the
most commonly used term), the
proposition, the Bill, the measure or the
issue.
 BRAINSTORM!
 Brainstorming is a way to generate ideas
within a group setting.
 1. Stay objective
 You have to put aside your personal views
when you debate and compartmentalise
them, because this is what allows you to
remain rational. This is especially important if
a topic is particularly meaningful to you, or
if you strongly disagree with what you are
arguing. There is a lot to be said for being
passionate about a topic, but it’s just that
there is a fine line to tread between
enthusiasm and aggression, and between
passion and emotion.
 2. Be flexible
 If you don’t get allocated with the side of
the argument that you agree with
personally, it can be hard at first, because
you won't have that initial passion in favour
of your argument. To get over this, you just
have to work a bit harder to overcome your
personal views. Another plus is that it can
be really useful to start with a different
opinion, when you’re thinking of points your
opponents might make during a debate,
and how to counter them.
 3. Look for the grey areas
 All of the debates I have taken part in so far
have involved very large grey areas, rather
than being simply black and white. This is
actually really helpful, and not just because
it makes the debate more interesting. It
also means that no matter what side
you’re arguing, you will find something that
you agree with or can relate to, and
inevitably this will make your argument
more convincing.
 I would like you to write a proposition for
us to brainstorm.
 Write it on a piece of paper and I will
pick one.
 Try to think of relevant matters for our
comunity and that are usually
characteristic to be controversial.
 Debate Preliminary Brainstorm

 What is your position on this topic? In other words, what is

your claim?

 Why? List the reasons you believe your claim to be true.

 Think in terms of Explicit and Implicit Reasons as you do so,

and then consider:

 Evidence: what evidence will you need to support your

Explicit Reasons?

 Assumptions and Values: What are the implied values or

beliefs etc. underpinning your Explicit Reasons?
 Link Ideas with a Conjunction
 Sometimes you want to link two ideas with a second
S+V+O combination. When you do, you need a
coordinating conjunction.
 Coordinating conjunctions are easy to remember with a
mnemonic: FANBOYS
 For
 And
 Nor
 But
 Or
 Yet
 So
 Use a Comma to Connect Two Ideas As
One
 FANBOYS are used when connecting two
ideas as one in a single sentence, but don't
forget the comma.
 For example:
 I do not walk Mary's dog, nor do I wash him.
 Mary fed her dog, and I drank tea.
 Mary feeds and walks her dog every day,
but the dog is still hyperactive.