Saturday 15 December 2018

How to write Debate


Debate Writing

What is a Debate –  
Debate is a structured discussion on a debatable topic. It is an argumentative and analytical presentation of one’s views in an organised manner.

Points to remember –
v Debate must be presented in organised/disciplined manner.
v The tone of debate must not be offending/disrespecting.
v It must be presented in an interactive way.
v It expresses/conveys one’s opinion and viewpoint strongly/convincingly in favour or against some topic.
v Accordingly, it may be an affirmative or negative debate.
v Debate must compare and contrast the two sides.
v It is quite similar to speech with little difference.
v The debater must have clarity of thought, accuracy of facts and a balanced viewpoint.
v Humorous anecdotes or experiences may be used.

Marking Scheme
Format – 1 mark  
Content – 4 marks
Expression – 5marks     
Total – 10 marks
Expression –         a. accuracy of language, grammar and spelling – 2 ½ marks
b. Coherence and relevance of ideas and style – 2 ½ marks

Format

Rhetorical question (optional)
Address the gathering with Greetings
Introduction of the self and the topic/occasion
Specify whether to speak in favour or against
Content (Points/facts to prove your stand persuasively/effectively)
Closing (balancing and concluding)
Thank the audience (Thank you)

Rhetorical questions –
v Can you imagine a world without women/trees/animals ………………..
v Don’t you think it would be better if ………………………
v Have you ever thought what will happen if there are no trees/water ……………
v How many of you/us ………………………
v Is this the country/freedom our martyrs died for?
v Where are we going?

Phrases/sentences to be used –
v I strongly oppose/disagree ...........................
v I strongly feel/believe that ……………………………
v In my opinion …………………….
v I’m fairly certain that ……………………
v I would rather go for a …………………….
v Frankly speaking, I do not agree ……………….
v Let’s face it ………………………
v That is the reason why ………………………
v As far as people of India/children of this era are concerned………………………
v I would like to draw my attention of my worthy opponents to the fact …………
v Indeed, it would be great if …………….
v The matter of fact is ……………………
v How ironical it is that the people who talk about …………………………..
                                                         
Sample Debate

Q1. You are Purvi/Purab. Your school is conducting Inter House Debate competition. Write a debate on ‘The reintroduction of board examination is a good move’ expressing your views in favour or against the topic in about 200-250 words.


Ans.  In favour

Good morning respected Principal, teachers and dear friends!

I am Purab/Purvi. I am here to express my views favouring the motion ‘The Reintroduction of Board Examinations is a good move’. It was decided in 2009 that CBSE examinations would be optional, which, was really a progressive reform. But the school authorities as well as parents felt that it has not delivered desired results and so do I. No detention policy merely encouraged the schools to shuffle under-performing students from one class to the next. As a result, large number of students starting failing in class XI due to more demanding evaluation system at senior secondary level.

If we talk about undue stress at a young age, we need to change our perspective. There are positive impacts of stress, which inculcates the skills such as time management and planning resulting into enhanced productivity.  Class 10 board examinations should be taken as a litmus test and trial run that indicates clearly where we stand. Since board exams are conducted at national level, our not-so-good performance will come as a wake up call to perform better in class 12.  

It is not so early for a teenager of 14-16 years to face competition at national level, who is exposed to upheavals of emotions. It will divert his fleeting attention and channelize his energy to the right direction.

The oldest and the strongest fear is the fear of the unknown. Once we step out of our comfort zone and attempt a paper made by some other teacher and evaluated by unfamiliar teacher, it helps us assess ourselves better.

Therefore, avoiding the board exams for the fear of failure or pressure is never a better option than taking it as a challenge, striving to perform best and coming out triumphant.

Thank you.

Ans.  Against

Good morning one and all present here!

I am Purab/Purvi. I am here to express my views against the topic ‘The Reintroduction of Board Examinations is a good move’. In 2009 CBSE examinations became an optional thing. I feel, it was a progressive reform but our society is so much obsessed with the board exam that it started finding faults with the move citing various reasons, chief of which is that students do not take studies seriously as there is no fear of board exam and thus, the academic standards are falling.

As a remedy, mandatory Board Examinations were reintroduced in 2017. Thus, we took a step backward in terms of autonomy which is an important feature of a healthy education system. Why can’t we understand that taking away autonomy due to the fear of its misuse is never a better option? Instead, proper benchmarks should be introduced to control the misuse.

Board examination promotes rote learning and makes the education system exam-centric. The worst part is that the obsession for performing better in exam brings comparison and stress among the students. My friend expressed that board examinations ensure quality. I find it so ridiculous that we depend on exams for ensuring quality. Learning should be done for its own merit not for marks. 

Due to board exam children’s love for sports and arts is sacrificed and their ingenuity is lost. We must understand the importance of choosing the exam as it frees and ‘education is that which liberates’. If anyone finds board exams better, he/she will opt for it. 

Therefore, it is desired to improvise the system of optional board exam than abandoning it for its shortcomings that are a part of every system.


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