Debate

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Speaking A3

Discussion / debating topics

Discusssion

- Groups of 4

- I will show you a different topic every 5 minutes

- 2 of you are in favour of the topic and two of you are against

- You will get 1,5 minute to prepare what you want to say.

- The discussion starts

- In favour start first, the other 2 react

- Switch groups

Set up of debate

Each team - 4/5 members

Timekeeper

Presentation - 2 minutes per team

Rebuttal - 2 minutes per team

Summary and conclusion - 2 minutes per team

In more detail:

Affirmative team presents first (decide who will be affirmative and who will be negative) (2 minutes)

Negative team presents second (2 minutes)

Affirmative team presents rebuttal first (2 minutes)

Negative team presents rebuttal second (2 minutes)

Negative team presents summary and conclusion first (2 minutes)

Affirmative team presents summary and conclusion second (2 minutes)

Content

First presentation:

• Clearly state your positions and substantiate with arguments

Rebuttal:

• Refute (prove false) the arguments of your opponent, or give counter-arguments.

Summary and conclusion:

• State your most important points and conclude

Tasks

Timekeeper: obviously keeps track of time (2 minutes), but also gives sign when 30 seconds are left.

Timekeeper first gives groups 5 minutes to prepare their argument. 

Concluding the debate

Class takes part in poll (either in LessonUp or with red/green cards?)

The timekeeper announces the winner

The winner thanks the opposition

The opposition congratulates the winner

Some basic rules

• Agree to disagree:
• Remember, your opponent may not personally agree with the statement they are supporting
• You may not interrupt a speaker
• Everyone in the team speaks (eg share a 2 min slot)

And now....

Research and prepare for the debate!

Work together

Don't forget to research what your opposition will say

Groups: 

Group 1: Emma, Fleur, Elan, Tinka, Benjamin, Mette

Group 2: Iris, Bas, Judith, Fay, Roos

Group 3: Isa, Dominique, Tessa, Gabriel, Dominique

Group 4: Josh, Noah, Mare, Lune, Arda

Group 5: Ella, Emily, Elise, Sanne, Noa

Topic 1:

High school pupils should not be allowed cell phones in school

Topic 2:

Humans should not eat animals.

Topic 3:

Maths is the most important school subject

Topic 4:

Sometimes it is okay to cheat on a test.

Topic 5:

Social media is actually making us less social