Academic Communication Lesson 2 (Debating Techniques).pptx

This lesson explains all the different techniques students can apply during a formal or informal debate contest.

1. English for Academic Purposes        Academic Communication Session 2 Theme: Sport and Leisure Skills: Critical Thinking & Effective Debating Techniques

2. If I’m on the road, you’ll have a decision to make. If you find me in a drawer, you’ll be ready to eat. I am two things: an instrument and a shape. Looking for the best way to avoid the doctor’s office? You only need one of me a day. I don’t move; however, you may find me running around your backyard but never in the house. I’m like the beach but in your backyard or at the playground. I have letters, but I’m not the alphabet. fork triangle apple fence sandbox mailbox

3. Content

4. Part 1 IELTS Essay Structure Part 1 Warm Up

5. Brain Teaser – Critical Thinking Try out a brain teaser using the link below! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2eINI4WXkc

6. Part 1 IELTS Essay Structure Part 2 Debating Strengths and Weaknesses

7. Video Watching The following debate demonstration shows two teachers debating if sweatshirts/hoodies should be allowed to be worn in schools. While you watch the video try and ask yourself the following questions: Was there a particular teacher who you thought had better arguments? Why was their case stronger? What made their arguments weaker? As an audience member, which line of arguing were you more sympathetic to? Why? ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcY5A58oIfA )

8. Video Watching AFFIRMATIVE (MAN) NEGATIVE (WOMAN) STRENGTHS: WEAKNESSES: Please consider the strengths and weaknesses of each teacher and post your reflections in WeChat. Your teacher will write your answers on the table below:

9. Video Watching AFFIRMATIVE (MAN) NEGATIVE (WOMAN) STRENGTHS: Argument relates to students being too cold in colder seasons on campus. Great argument about not restricting wearing hoodies for all students based on the bad behaviors of a select few. Argument relates to safety (triggers an emotional response in audience – fear). Tone and body language is very assertive. Draws authority from mention of ”school rules”. WEAKNESSES: Body language and tone/pitch is not as firm and loud as the opposition. Rebuttal does not combat the argument about restricting wearing hoodies for all students based on the bad behaviors of a select few and instead changes the subject to school rules. Here are some reflections from your teacher:

10. Part 1 IELTS Essay Structure Part 3 Debating Techniques

11. Discussion Please discuss the following as a group: What makes a good group debate? clarity (the main points to be discussed), content (the vertical depth in each point) and confidence.

12. Why are some arguments stronger than others? Strong Argument A strong argument is one that is well-supported and well-reasoned . It presents evidence and logical reasoning to support its conclusion, and is convincing and compelling to the audience. Weak Argument A weak argument is one that lacks evidence or logical reasoning to support its conclusion. Discussion

13. Effective Debating Techniques Analogy Tone and Pitch Body Language Story Telling Facts and Evidence

14. Analogy An analogy is a logical reasoning or argument style in which two items are contrasted and conclusions are reached based on their similarities. “Life is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get”:  An often-used analogy from  Forrest Gump  shows that life has many choices and surprises, just like a box of chocolates. “She's as blind as a bat.”: An analogy used to refer to someone with bad eyesight. Bats are blind and use sonar and echo-location to move around, therefore relating someone’s eyesight as similar to that of a bat is like saying they are blind. Analogy in debate: Example: “ Allowing skateboarding in the Olympic Games is like allowing graffiti art into the Louvre.” The above is a debating analogy comparing two things and drawing a conclusion about the outcome being similar. (i.e. not appropriate)

15. Tone and Pitch Pitch: Pitch is more about the changing feel of your voice. Avoid a monotone pitch – vary the high and low notes of your voice Speak with a relaxed and conversational style Tone: Tone refers to the overall emotional attitude of the argument.  Varying tone is what makes you sound interesting. Avoid being too aggressive or too calm – speak with confidence

16. Body Language Body language is the key: Public s peakers generate a great amount of emotion and interest through the use of  non-verbal communication , often called gestures or body language . Simple gestures such as  using your hands while explaining your point or changing your facial expressions to a more serious look  will help in putting your points in a powerful way.

17. Story Telling A story is an argument : Stories are a powerful means to change people’s attitudes and beliefs. They make the audience feel personally involved or empathetic towards the issue. Topic: Is racism a sport here to stay? Example of storytelling: “Let me share with you a story about an eleven -year-old Ethiopian boy named Solomon who loves to run, despite his ragged shorts and bare feet...”

18. Example, Facts and Evidence For every argument you make in a debate, examples and/or evidence are necessary to prove your point. Evidence helps to provide a real-world context for your arguments It is a requirement in the assessment rubric. Statistics, studies, examples, or illustrations. Try to provide at least two pieces of evidence for each point. Topic: Do athletes get paid too much? Example of Evidence: “Education is one of the most economically important occupations because education directly affects the future. However, teachers earn less than one-tenth of the average professional athlete. According to Fadeaway World, LeBron James currently makes roughly $542,377 per game. This is far beyond what a teacher will likely ever see working in education.”

19. Review: So far: Debating strengths & weaknesses Effective Debating Techniques Coming up: -Plan your group debates -Group debate presentations -Feedback from teacher -Q & A session

20. Part 1 IELTS Essay Structure Part 4 Mini Group Debate

21. Planning the Debate Your teacher will break you into groups of 6 students or more Within each group you will be asked to form two smaller teams of 3 students One team must decide to be negative and one must decide to be affirmative Each smaller team must then decide who will be the first, second and third speaker Discuss the prompt:____________________ Come up with a 3 possible arguments and discuss these options Decide which argument will be your main argument Ensure you are using effective debating techniques (storytelling, analogy etc.) Have your three arguments written down and ready for presentation

22. Prompts Your group will be assigned one of the following prompts: Going to the gym is better than playing a team sport Bodily health is more important than mental health Energy drinks and coffee are good for concentration/study Children should have a choice if they want to study PE (Physical Education/Sports) or not 5. Physical exercise should be a mandatory part of University Education Every group will have approximately 15 minutes to prepare your arguments for the debate.

23. Group Presentation Time Every pair of groups will present your debate to the class (or, time pending, groups may present to each other)

24. Feedback: Within group What do you think you did well in the group debate? ( Did people perform their roles? Did everyone use the language from their role) What debating techniques did you use in your debate?

25. What have we learned today? Effective debating techniques How to conduct a mini debate using effective debating techniques

26. English for Academic Purposes         Academic Communication Session 2 Thanks