DEBATES AND DISCUSSION

General instructions
A debate is a kind of contest where you must support your argument and refute
your opponent's argument with logical reasoning and rebuttals by giving facts
and evidence. It is best to choose topics of interest to the participants. In order to
support you argument, you may have to make statements which are against
your own opinion. It is best never to agree with the opposite side until after the
debate.
Grouping
All of the participants will be divided into 2 groups, A and B and each group must
decide which side of the argument to take: FOR or AGAINST the proposed topic of
discussion.
Procedure
FOR and AGAINST sides will be seated opposite one another (if the debate is
going to take place in a room), or if it going to take place online, virtual "rooms"
will created within the particular conference site. It may be a good idea to
prepare your side of the argument first:delegate a person in each group to take
note of ideas (in summarized form) put forward by the group. Carry out a
'brainstorming session' beforehand if necessary. By consolidating ideas, your side
of the argument will flow more easily. All relevant ideas and opinions can then be
mentioned one by one during the debate. The chairperson will start the debate
by summarizing the situation at heart. This is followed by:
a 3-minute constructive speech from each side
two or three 2-minute rebuttals from each side turn by turn
a 3-minute concluding speech from each side
questions from the floor - the audience can address questions to both sides after
the debate.
Explanation
You will do the debate in your own group first. After debating, you must choose
four delegates (debaters) to represent your group in the group vs. group debate.
Group vs. group debate:
A=FOR
Group Debate.
B=AGAINST
Group Debate
FOR --->
<---AGAINST
Group vs. group

WINNER
Judgement

At the end of each debate, the audience will decide by majority vote which team
has developed and presented the best argument.
The insertion of 'but' often enables you to disagree, diplomatically!

Vocabulary for debates and discussion

When you want to state an opinion:

I'd just like to say that______

INFORMAL

I'd like to point out that_______

In my opinion____
I think that_____
I feel that______

When you want someone to repeat

or explain:

I believe that______
It seems to me that________
If you ask me_____
I'd say that_______
The point is________
As I see it_______
I'd say that______
The point is______

I don't understand what you mean

Would you explain that, please?
I'm sorry, but I didn't understand
your point.
Could you give an example?
What do you mean by_____?
When you want to agree with
someone (in ascending order of
formality):

You're right
I think so, too
FORMAL

You know what I think... I think

that____

I agree with you

You could be right
I couldn't agree more
That's a good point

Wouldn't you say that_______?

I couldn't agree more

Don't you agree that_______?

I see what you mean

That's just what I was thinking

I agree entirely

I see what you mean, but________

You know, that's exactly what I think

I tend to disagree with you there

Informal disagreement (between

people you know very well)
When you want to disagree with
someone (in ascending order of
formality):

I can't agree with you there

You can't be serious!!
Come off it!

Yes, but_____
I disagree
That's not the point

Don't be silly!
When you want to persuade
someone:

No, I think you're wrong

Up to a point, but________

You must admit that___

Yes, that's quite true, but_____

Do you really believe that_____?

I'm not sure I quite agree

Don't you think that______?

Well, you have a point there,

but_____

Don't you agree that____?

Perhaps, but don't you think

that_____

Pairwork discussion topics

Roleplay situation:
Example topic for discussion : "Learning English is pointless".
A: I read in this article that learning English is pointless!
B: I don't really agree with you there. I'd say it was very useful
A: Why do you think that?
B: Well, English is now a world language - you need it communicate with people
from other countries, to navigate on the Internet, and for international business.
A: Oh, I see what you mean.

In pairs, discuss the topics below:

space travel is a complete waste of money

the Internet is making face-to-face communication obsolete
there should be a 50km speed limit on ALL roads
English is a very easy language to master
all motorists should be obliged to wear seatbelts
putting wild animals in cages in zoos is cruel
women are worse drivers than men
Topics for group discussion or debate:

Money invested in space travel should be better invested in helping the poor and
needy
Experimenting on animals in laboratories is cruel
Genetic engineering is nothing but a violation of the laws of nature
Cloning could have disastrous consequences for mankind in the future
The energy crisis is 'necessary' to maintain the wo

rld balance in power

Man is his own worst enemy
There is always a price to pay in protecting the environment
In the 21st century mankind will regress to primitive levels of existence
Animals should not be kept in captivity
It is right to meddle with Nature
Too much knowledge is a dangerous thing
We hope 'teaching machines' will replace teachers
Man descended from the apes
Time is relative
Any method is justifiable if the aim is to preserve life
Sources: