Week 2 - Debate - The Basics

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 3

Debate 

Lesson goals

• Learn to express yourself in English with random topics.
• Learn how to debate.
• Learn how to collaborate with others, use critical thinking skills and create strategies to make a good argument. 

What is a debate? 

Rules

• 1.) The affirmative or proposition team (the pro team)  is the first to speak up. A response from the opposition team (against team) then follows. 
• 2a.) Each member of the opposing sides should take their turns in speaking for min. 3  - max. 5 minutes.
• 2b.) Each speaker is given a maximum of five minute to speak and share their evidence. Once the time runs out, the speaker must close their statement or be halted by the host.
  
• 3.) Interruption on the speaker is strictly prohibited (so everyone must be silent during these moments).
  
• 4.) The audience, who often act as judges, cannot participate in the debate.
  
• 5.) The voting from the audience is typically done with a show of hands. The majority wins.
• 6.) Only when the final proposition team member is speaking can the opposition team request a POI (Point of Information), this means that the student has 15 seconds to share that information. 

Practice topic

Are public protests an effective way to bring about change?

Topic 1

Are Androids better than Iphones?

Round 1

Topic 2

Final exams should be removed from schools

Round 2

Topic 3

Students would benefit from a shorter school day.

Round 3

Topic 4

All students should have free access to higher education.

Round 1

Round 2