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CROSSING LANGUAGE BARRIERS

Introduction
DebatingTo1Debating
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Why?
“ … the most important reason, I
think its important because I can
prove people wrong with the power
to back it up using only my words.
THAT’S POWER ..."

Phil Allen, Rising 9th grade debater

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Reasons
DebatingTo Practice
Better at communicating
Communicate points faster
Listener isn’t bored with you
Improved reasoning skills
Makes you smarter
Reading, writing, researching – core skills

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Important Terminology
Debate: a game in which two
opposing teams make speeches to
support their arguments and
disagree with those of the other
team.

Resolution: the opinion about

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Important Terminology
Affirmative team: agrees with the
resolution.

Negative team: disagrees with the

resolution.

Rebuttal: explains why one team

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Opinions and Reasons

A resolution is an opinion about which there
can be valid disagreement.

Use opinion indicators to introduce

opinions.
Use reason indicators to introduce reasons

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Opinion Indicators
I think/believe/feel that…
It seems to me that…
I would argue that…
I do not believe that…
I am unconvinced that…
I do not agree that…
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Reason Indicators
As
Since
Because

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Strong vs. Weak Reasons

According to LeBeau, Harrington,
Lubetsky (2000), a strong reason has
the following qualities:
it logically supports the opinion.
it is specific and states the idea clearly.
it is convincing to a majority of people.

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Strong vs. Weak Reasons

Smoking should be banned in
public places because:
it is bad.
it gives people bad breath and makes their
teeth yellow.
secondhand smoke is harmful for
nonsmokers.
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Strong vs. Weak Reasons

Students Should have a Part-time Job
It will help them
They can earn money.
After-school work teaches students how
hard it is to earn money and helps develop
thriftiness in our younger generation.

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Examples

I would argue that nights in the city

are better than days since the
different coloured lights make the
places look so beautiful.

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Examples

I do not believe that shops in Jakarta

should be allowed to give out free
plastic bags as when people throw
them away, they block the waterways
and so can cause flooding.
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Generate
Reasons Strong
1. Women should quit their job after they get married.
REASON:

2. Love is more important than money.

REASON:

3. It is better to be married than single.

REASON:

4. Writing by hand is better than writing by computer.

REASON:
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Strong vs. Weak Reasons

According to LeBeau, Harrington,
Lubetsky (2000), a strong reason has
the following qualities:
it logically supports the opinion.
it is specific and states the idea clearly.
it is convincing to a majority of people.

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