Debate

Basically, a debate is an argument with rules.

Debating in Everyday Life

Should smoking be illegal in all bars and restaurants? Should drivers be required to re-take the driver's test after a certain number of years? China's Population Policy , good or bad? Should the Olympics be boycotted?

Vocabulary

Argument - a statement, reason, or fact for or against a point Flaw - a fault; something which makes something not perfect Logic - a particular method of reasoning or argumentation Convince - to persuade (a person) that something is true Persuade - To convince by argument, or by reasons offered or suggested Rebut - prove to be false or incorrect Imply - to indicate or suggest without being explicitly stated

 Typically

in a debate two teams are presented a resolution or topic that they will debate, and each team is given a set period of time to prepare an argument. typically don't know their debate subjects ahead of time.

Students

 At

a debate, one team will argue in favor (pro) and the other will argue in opposition (con). each team member speaks, and sometimes the team selects one member to speak for the entire team.

Sometimes

A Typical Debate includes:

Students hear the topic and take positions (pro and con) Teams discuss their topics and come up with statements Teams deliver their statements and offer main points Students discuss the opposition's argument and come up with rebuttals Rebuttals delivered Closing statements made

Benefits of a Debate

By participating on a debate team, students learn the art of persuasion. Research has shown that participation in debates increases students' academic performance and increases their chances of earning a college degree. Students also benefit from the experience of speaking in public. Increases oral communication skills

Critical Thinking

Across the United States, high schools, colleges and universities have placed increasing emphasis on the attainment of critical thinking skills. critical thinking individuals who are able to speak intelligently about the issues of the day.
Critical thinking - the mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach an answer or conclusion

Organization and Arrangement

Because debate is a form of structured argumentation - a great deal of emphasis is placed on the structure of individual arguments, cases, counter plans and other types of persuasive techniques. The skills of organizing arguments are transferable to nearly all other types of communication. In addition to nearly all types of oral communication, research has suggested that debate is beneficial in teaching writing skills.

Explanation Power
Debates

invariably require arguers to build certain foundations for their audience. As the level of argument advances, debaters learn to explain complex ideas in a quick and efficient manner. This skill serves them well throughout their involvement with complex decision making organizations.

Selling Power
Debaters

learn to package arguments in a way that increases their appeal. They learn to adapt to their audience and are taught to craft a message which accomplishes specific objectives. are taught that its not just what you say it's how you say it.

Debaters

Listening
The

debater by definition must listen carefully to her opponent in order to achieve the objective of refutation. Careful listening is rewarded in debate by the discovery of flaws in the opponents language, thinking or evidence.

How Debate Enhances Listening Skills

Getting Ready To Listen

Debate teaches individuals the importance of being prepared to listen in two ways. First, it trains people in the mental preparation of listening - having a listening plan. During a debate you listen for specific things, points you want to answer, weakness in logic, supporting material and key points. Second, debaters also learn to concentrate on what is being said. To listen properly you must eliminate distraction and concentrate on the speaker and the implications of her words.

Active Listening

Listening during a debate is almost by definition active listening and every text book on communication in the world suggests that the key to listening is active listening. The mind can think much faster than any human being can talk. If you listen passively then the mind inevitably wanders. Debate teaches people to think about what is being said. Such active listening enhances both retention and understanding.

Ignoring Red Flags

One

of the biggest causes of poor listening is simply ignoring what is being received. This often occurs when the speaker says something that triggers an emotional switch with the listener. Debaters learn that arguments are tools and that a critical step in responding to even the most emotional of triggers is to fully understand and listen to it.

Practice Makes Perfect

Because

a debate requires the listener to be very active in analyzing what is being said and because a debater must also think about what he is going to say, it is the perfect listening practice. like any other skill, good listeners are made not born, they work at it.

Just

 Debaters

almost universally agree that debate has helped them to listen more efficiently, speak and write more clearly and to see relationships between information and ideas more readily.

Simple Topics that Help Thinking

Which is better Pepsi or Coke? If Superman fought Batman, who would win? If Jet Li fought Bruce Lee, who would win? Your dog and a stranger are drowning. You only have time to save one of them. Who do you save? Whats more important in a partner, beauty or brains? Should all schools wear uniforms?

Class Debate
Would

be the world be better if it was run by women? should be one global language

There

Hindi.