2. DEBATING
Year 10 English

3. What is a debate?
Write your own definition of a debate

4. Why debate? Debate = “a discussion, especially of a public question.”
To DISCUSS or DISPUTE a given subject
To PERSUADE someone (or an audience) that you are right
Useful and practical real world skill (job interviews, one on one conversations, trying to persuade your parents to let you go out)

5. Why debate?
Debating is a way you can PERSUADE someone you are right using only your WORDS
Challenges you to look at situations from DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS. It’s hard to defend something you don’t believe in – this is the challenge in debating!
Helps develop the art of EXPRESSION to COMMUNICATE ideas

6. Why debate? Debating is an important real world skill to have!
It shows you can:
Construct a logical argument
Find and use evidence to support your opinion
Speak with passion to express your ideas and persuade your audience that you are right
Let’s look at a group of friends arguing…
Big Bang Theory – ‘Superman Theory’

7. Why would these people need to know how to debate?
Politicians…
A lawyer…

8. Politicians = need to be able to brush off claims from their opposition and tell others what they propose is better/ why they are right and their opposition is wrong. They debate in parliament, on TV and on the street with regular people
Lawyer = also need to be able to brush off claims from their opposition and tell others why they are right and their opposition is wrong. Lawyers present their case to a jury/ judge. They need to persuade the jury they are right – in hope that they will side with their case.

9. YOUR TURN!
In pairs, come up with 3 points each of when it has been and/or will be important for you to be able to argue in real life?

10. What a debate normally consists of…
Chair person - introduces the debate + the rules
Timekeeper - keeps people on track and on time
3 Affirmative speakers
3 Negative speakers

11. Speakers “Girls have life easier than boys”
Each opposing side has THREE speakers to present their argument
AFFIRMATIVE
Affirmative speakers AGREE with the topic and therefore are arguing FOR the motion
NEGATIVE
Negative speakers DISAGREE with the topic and therefore are arguing AGAINST the motion
*HANDOUT

12. Examples of persuasive writing
What TO do:
Think of your AUDIENCE - your speech must be appropriate to that audience in form, tone and register.
An engaging opening sentence
Be logical
Appeal to emotions – this will buy into your ideas!
Clear language (fluent, audible delivery)
Make yourself credible by using facts and examples to support your argument. Give references for these facts for further credibility (relevant examples/ statistics)
Rhetorical questions (not too many)
Repetition (not too much)
Language techniques: use of humour (wit), relevant metaphors, similes, analogies
Pause for emphasis
Vary your pace of delivery
Engage with audience (appropriate eye-contact, not over reliant on cue cards)
Making efficient and effective use of your whole 4 minutes
Make notes of rebuttal points when your opponent’s speaking … listen carefully!

13. Persuasive Writing What NOT to do/ try to avoid doing…
Pitch – don’t speak in monotone
Pace – don’t rush!
Don’t read your speech and make zero eye contact with your audience – use your body language to help sell your message! 
Only attack the oppositions ARGUMENT, not them as an individual
Over – generalisation
Avoid using half-truths – facts that sound better for your position if you withhold relevant information

14. Example Debate *Watch example debate Watch and CRITIQUE
Write KEY TECHNIQUES the affirmative and negative speakers use to PERSUADE their audience
What worked/ didn’t work?

15. Assessment
1. Matter - What you say.  Research and use of credible sources that you can use in your debate to prove your points.
2. Manner - How you present/speak.  Body language, use of voice, choice of words etc.
3. Method - The structure of your debate & role of each speaker.