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Siksha Srijan Academy of Technology and Management
Siksha Srijan Academy of Technology and
Management
Contact : 7449393135 / 6291355543
BHM 2nd semester
MIL
What is a debate?
A debate is a structured contest over an issue or policy. There are two sides - one
supporting, one opposing. Debating can look intimidating from the sidelines, with
speakers appearing confident, passionate and unwavering, but it consists of skills that
anybody can leam. Debating may not be something that you encounter in your everyday
work but these skills can be incredibly valuable. Benefits of debating include:
1. Allowing you to think about aspects and perspectives you may not have
considered.
2. Encourages you to speak strategically.
3. Improving public speaking skills.
4. Leaming how to create a persuasive argument.
5. When you have to argue against your personal view you realise that there are two
sides to the argument.
Important skills for debating
To meet the judges criteria you will have to develop certain skills, consider the
following:
1. You points must be relevant to the topic.
2. Provide evidence whenever you can and not your personal opinion.
3. You must put aside your personal views and remain objective when you debate so
your argument remains logical. You can be passionate about a topic but interest
can tum into aggression and passion can turn into upset.
4. Consider the audience's attention span - make it interesting, for example, don't
just present lots of complicated statistics.
5. Use rhetoric to persuade - consider using the three pillars of rhetoric:
Ethos - the ethical appeal
Pathos-the emotional appeal
Logos-the logical appeal
Use notes but keep them brief and well organised. Use a different piece of paper for
rebuttals.
Similar to looking at conclusions to create rebuttals, think comparatively by asking
yourself "How does my plan compare to what's happening now/what would happen in the
world if the other team won?" You can win the debate if you can make comparative
claims about why your arguments matter more than the other team.
Only tell jokes if you're naturally good at it otherwise this can backfire.
Prepared by Joy Bhowmick
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Siksha Srijan Academy of Technology and Management
Flexibility is important because you might get allocated the side of the argument you
don't agree with. You'll have to work hard to overcome your views. Also use this insight to
think of the potential arguments you might make and then plan for counter arguments.
Voice
Speak clearly and concisely.
You must talk fast enough to have the time to deliver your speech but slow
enough so
you can be understood.
Project your voice to the back of the room.
Incorporate dramatic pauses.
Emphasise important words and vary your tone appropriately.
Confidence
Have a relaxed pose and posture.
Avoid filler words.
Emphasise using gestures and avoid nervous gestures.
Know your material.
Maintain eye contact with the audience.
Language
Keep your language simple to avoid confusion.
Refer to the opposite side as: "My opponent".
When making a rebuttal say: "My opponent said..., however..."
Don't exaggerate - avoid the words "never" or "always" etc.
Avoid saying that a speaker "is wrong", instead say that "your idea is mistaken".
What to avoid
Falsifying, making up or altering evidence.
Publicly disagreeing with the judges' decision.
What is Discussion
Let’s discuss the matter’ is a social and conversational move full of all sorts of
significance.
In a situation of conflict it can signal a willingness to sit down and find a more peaceable
resolution to the dispute; in a business context a readiness to do business; in a decision
making context an interest in hearing different points of view and arriving at a conclusion
on the basis of argument or consensus; in an educational context a readiness to engage
student reflection and opinion and not just a determination to impose the teacher’s view
as the right answer.
Discussion, properly understood, implies and carries with it a whole moral culture as well
as some underlying principles about the way that knowledge is developed. This is why
discussion has historically been seen as such a central component of social practices
deemed democratic; and this is why the use of discussion in the classroom is often seen
as an especially democratic form of pedagogy.
Prepared by Joy Bhowmick
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Siksha Srijan Academy of Technology and Management
Strategies for improving discussion skills for tutorials and seminars
If you find it difficult to speak or ask questions in tutorials and seminars, try the following
strategies.
Observe
Attend as many seminars and tutorials as possible and notice what other students do.
Ask yourself:
How do other students enter into the discussion?
How do they ask questions?
How do they disagree with or support the topic?
How do other students make critical comments?
What special phrases do they use to show politeness even when they are voicing
disagreement?
How do they signal to ask a question or make a point?
Learn to listen
Listening is an essential skill and an important element of any discussion. Effective
listeners don't just hear what is being said, they think about it and actively process it.
Be an active listener and don't let your attention drift. Stay attentive and focus on
what is being said.
Identify the main ideas being discussed.
Evaluate what is being said. Think about how it relates to the main idea/ theme of
the tutorial discussion.
Listen with an open mind and be receptive to new ideas and points of view. Think
about how they fit in with what you have already learnt.
Test your understanding. Mentally paraphrase what other speakers say.
Ask yourself questions as you listen. Take notes during class about things to which
you could respond.
Prepare
You can't contribute to a discussion unless you are well-prepared. Attend lectures and
make sure you complete any assigned readings or tutorial assignments. If you don't
understand the material or don't feel confident about your ideas, speak to your tutor or
lecturer outside of class.
Practise
Practise discussing course topics and materials outside class. Start in an informal setting
with another student or with a small group.
Begin by asking questions of fellow students. Ask them about:
the course material
their opinions
information or advice about the course
Practice listening and responding to what they say. Try out any discipline-specific
vocabulary or concepts.
Becoming accustomed to expressing your views outside class will help you develop skills
you can take into the more formal environment of a tutorial group.
Prepared by Joy Bhowmick
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Siksha Srijan Academy of Technology and Management
Participate
If you find it difficult to participate in tutorial discussion, set yourself goals and aim to
increase your contribution each week.
An easy way to participate is to add to the existing discussion. Start by making small
contributions:
agree with what someone has said or;
ask them to expand on their point (ask for an example or for more information)
prepare a question to ask beforehand.
You can then work up to:
answering a question put to the group
providing an example for a point under discussion
disagreeing with a point.
Leading a discussion
You may be in a seminar group that requires you to lead a group discussion, or lead a
discussion after an oral presentation. You can lead a discussion by:
introducing yourself and stating the purpose of the discussion
asking questions to stimulate the discussion
making sure no one dominates the discussion by inviting and encouraging
contributions from all students
ensuring only one member of the group speaks at a time
ensuring the discussion remains relevant and doesn't drift off topic
summarising or rephrasing a speaker's point
summarising the discussion
Group discussions
Chairing a group discussion
When chairing a discussion group you must communicate in a positive way to assist the
speakers in accomplishing their objective. There are at least four leadership skills you
can use to influence other people positively and help your group achieve its purpose.
These skills include:
introducing the topic and purpose of the discussion
introducing yourself and the other speakers
making sure all members have approximately the same time to speak
thanking group members for their contribution
being objective in summarising the group’s discussion and achievements.
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