DEBATES

Debate is a process that involves formal discussion on a particular topic

What is debating?

Debating literally means ‘to fight’. Today, debating means a discussion between two parties aimed at forming a conclusion. This is because debating involves two parties (usually) holding different views about the same topic.

An example of debating is when you have one person who believes in God, while another person does not. They might be debating a topic on, ‘Does God Exist’. One person will take the view that God does exist, while the other will take the view that God doesn’t exist.

The ‘winner’ of the debate will be the person who has the most cogent argument as to whether God does or does not exist.

 Debate is a process that involves formal discussion on a particular topic. In a debate, opposing arguments are put forward to argue for opposing viewpoints. Debate occurs in public meetings, academic institutions, and legislative assemblies. It is a formal type of discussion, often with a moderator and an audience, in addition to the debate participants.

Logical consistency, factual accuracy and some degree of emotional appeal to the audience are elements in debating, where one side often prevails over the other party by presenting a superior "context" or framework of the issue. In a formal debating contest, there are rules for participants to discuss and decide on differences, within a framework defining how they will do it.

Debating is carried out in debating chambers and assemblies of various types to discuss matters and to make resolutions about action to be taken, often by voting. [citation needed] Deliberative bodies such as parliaments, legislative assemblies, and meetings of all sorts engage in debates. In particular, in parliamentary democracies a legislature debates and decides on new laws. Formal debates between candidates for elected office, such as the leaders debates, are sometimes held in democracies. Debating is also carried out for educational and recreational purposes, usually associated with educational establishments and debating societies.

Informal and forum debate is relatively common, shown by TV shows such as the Australian talk show, Q&A. [according to whom?] The outcome of a contest may be decided by audience vote, by judges, or by some combination of the two. [citation needed]

What is the importance of debate?

What is the importance of debate in the present era? Why it is important for students?

Ø Now a day’s debate becomes an important topic of discussion. It is important because it develops skills and knowledge. It  helps the students  to become a confident and bold person. And it will Read More

Ø Debate is an indispensible characteristic of an individual that makes him put forward his perspective in analysing a situation of social cause whether be it in favor or against. Taking students into Read more

Ø Debate is a social way of expression your point of view on a topic. And it teaches students how to accept different point of views of theirs and others in the same topic. They learn agree to disagree,

What are the Benefits of Debating?

The benefits of debating are as follows:

Improved critical thinking skills

Acquire better poise, speech delivery, and public speaking skills

Increased student retention of information learned

Improved listening note-taking skills and increased self-confidence

Enhance teamwork skills and collaboration

More confidence to stand up for the truth when a discussion is promoting falsehoods or inaccuracies

Learning better ways to graciously state one’s point with gentleness

Help students identify holes in their theories and concoct more balanced arguments

Help students better structure their thoughts

Debating is lots of fun!

What is the Purpose of Debating

The purpose of debating is to succinctly express yourself in a way that is clear to those around you, using arguments that are persuasive. It aims to help you refine and hone your arguments so they are acceptable to those listening.

It also aims to pick holes in your theories and point out your inconsistencies so you eventually develop a more well-rounded argument that is persuasive to listeners.

Improved critical thinking skills

The importance of debate in education centers around its ability to teach children critical thinking. In a world where children are spoon fed information in a passive way, critical thinking is lacking as learning is no longer interest-based.

However, debating can sharpen student’s critical thinking skills and let them examine the topic they’ve been given. Instead of passively accepting information, they’re forced to hone that material and throw out concepts and theories that don’t make sense and adopt ones that do.

It helps them to question beliefs they hold and justify why they think a certain way.

Acquire better poise, speech delivery, and public speaking skills

When debating, you learn to have confidence in the things you’re saying as you’ve prepared well for your topic and know it. As such, you learn to hold yourself well with poise.

After you’ve debated for a while you also learn to deliver your speech confidently in a persuasive manner.

Having better poise and speech delivery means your public speaking skills will be greatly improved. This is because bad public speaking is often largely a result of poor topic preparation and practice. Poor preparation and practice also means you will be more likely to get nervous as you’re more likely to fail because you’re not prepared. (It’s a vicious circle!)

Increased student retention of information learned

In comparison with traditional education, debating can massively increase learners retention of the topics studied as it is active, interest-based learning that engages the mind thoroughly.

Subjects that make students actively learn help to increase information retention. Therefore, debating helps students to remember what they’ve learned for a longer time than passive learning or rote learning.

Improved listening and note-taking skills

One of the other benefits of debating is that it improves students note-taking while listening to others. When students start, they can struggle to take notes effectively and discern what the main points are.

When you’re new to debating, you might start by trying to frantically write down large portions of what the opponent is saying. Then you lose track of the main argument.

However, if you’ve been debating for a while, you’ll know to try to listen for the main points and try to think how you’re going to defend that point more generally. This teaches you to sift information at the same time as you listen to your opponent.

In essence, debating improves your listening and note-taking skills.

Increased self-confidence

As previously mentioned, knowing your topic helps you to have more confidence when you’re talking about a subject.

If you know what you’re talking about and you’re confident you have your topics in hand, your self-confidence will naturally increase.

This can be really helpful for teens who can (particularly) struggle with self-esteem in their high school years.

In the video that’s further down this page, one of the students said he suffered from social anxiety. However, since debating a lot of this had completely disappeared.

Enhance teamwork skills and collaboration

You can really see the importance of debate in education when you see how much debaters have to naturally collaborate with each other to make a debate go well.

Collaboration isn’t boring when you’re debating. Rather, it’s a lot of fun and when you’re in a team you feel like you have each other’s back in an argument as you’re on the same team as them.

This can lead to great team bonding and fun collaboration work.

More confidence to stand up for the truth when a discussion is promoting falsehoods or inaccuracies

The importance of debate in education comes into its own when you step into the real world.

If you’ve studied a lot of controversial topics in detail, you can confidently stand up for the truth when pushed. For me, this is the most important benefit of debating.

I want to teach my children to graciously, but unwaveringly, stand up for the truth when a discussion in their workplace or family/friend life is promoting falsehoods or inaccuracies.

I want them to gently suggest the falsehood or inaccuracy is untrue and then to suggest the truth of the matter and the evidence they have to support the view they are holding.

Unfortunately, many Christians don’t know their Bible, and they don’t know how to stand up for what they believe (1 Peter 3:15), even though the Bible offers many answers. Children who learn to debate, on the other hand, can easily learn to defend their beliefs in a winsome manner – when the truth is on your side, a defense is easy.

 Learning better ways to graciously state one’s point with gentleness

If taught well (and this is the caveat of this point being true), students can learn to state their point in a winsome manner that is not just intended to ‘win’ the argument but is intended to also persuade the hearer.

This will mean judging whether it is the right time to state certain information or wait until the recipient is more open to hearing the information.

In this way, debating can also be about reading the emotions on the other person’s face.

When it comes to evangelism, this is the name of the game. Those who have verbal diarrhea in this department will soon find they meet vacant stares or (even worse) increasingly hostile countenances.

The wise debater is the one who assesses the countenance of his opponent and argues gently accordingly.

It’s wise to do this as we see in Proverbs 15:

A soft answer turned away wrath:
but grievous words stir up anger.

The tongue of the wise use the knowledge aright:
but the mouth of fools poured out foolishness. 

This may not be the purpose of a debate competition, but it is where debate can be used practically in life.

Help students identify holes in their theories and concoct more balanced arguments

The role of debate is to help us identify bad arguments and refine good arguments.

When we start arguing, we might believe we have a balanced view without any holes.

However, putting our theories on the table to be poked and prodded makes them prove whether they can hold water.

When our theories are tested and found wanting in certain areas, it forces us to refine our theories and make our arguments more balanced and more easily understandable. This is a really great benefit of debating that students experience as they actively learn through trial and error.

Help students better structure their thoughts

We can also see the importance of debate in education when we see how much it helps students structure their thoughts from the bits and pieces they’ve learned throughout their lives to a more cogent argument as they’re forced to look up new information.

In many cases, students structure their thoughts proficiently by finding one or more reasons for their beliefs.

They then have that belief tested as their opponent stands up and tries to make mincemeat of their argument.

This then forces them to further structure their argument to have rebuttals for the questions and objections that were put forward in the first round of debate.

All up, new debating students learn to develop a well-rounded viewpoint. Experienced debaters learn to start their arguments already anticipating their opponent’s objections.

This makes for a brilliant debate that is lots of fun…which leads me to my last point!

Oh, and Debating is Lots of Fun!

I almost forgot to say that the best thing about debating is that it is plenty of fun! In the video that’s further up this page, one of the students remarked that debating had made school a lot more fun. I felt the same way about my debate team in college!

I loved debating at college – indeed; debating night was one of my favorite nights of the week! It was a great way to connect with other students and bond with them when they were on your own team.

You also get a great thrill when you’ve done your best on a debate and you’ve made points in a succinct way (so it doesn’t even matter if you don’t win – so long as you’ve tried, it will be fun.)

Tips to attempt a question on Debate writing

The first and the foremost step is to choose the side, whether you want to write for, or against the motion. Always try to select the side you personally want to support and have more material information to write on. It is preferable to make a choice during the reading time.
An ideal debate must consist of 4 paragraphs, namely-

Ø    Introduction/Salutations,

Ø    Problem,

Ø    Solution and

Ø    The conclusion.

Let us discuss each of them in detail.

1. Introduction- This includes salutations and the topic (including FOR/AGAINST the motion).
For Example:- Good morning everyone. Esteemed judges, honourable guests, respected teachers and my fellow students. I, (name given in the question or else, XYZ) feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to speak (FOR/AGAINST) the topic- (name of the topic).
2. Body (Problem)- This is the main paragraph or the body of your answer.

Ø Always begin with the meaning of the topic or the explanation of the topic in not more than a line.

Ø Then start quoting the issues. Now here, it is important you follow a sequence. It is possible that you have too many points or very few points. When you have a lot of varied points, it is better you choose a few best ones and write a line on each. In case you have very few already, explain them in at least two lines each.

Ø Make sure you are clear with your thoughts, only then you'll be able to put them into words unambiguously.
3. Solution- "For every problem, there is a solution."
This paragraph needs to be short and crisp whereby; you are supposed to give a rational and practical solution for all the above problems.

Ø    In case you are not able to figure one out, keep in mind a few general ones. It could involve spreading awareness, campaigns, stringent laws and their strict implementation, education, etc.

Ø    Using a quote never hurts. It can be general ones like, on working together. Every situation can be faced and solved if there is unity. So here are a few handy ones.

"Wherever there is unity, there is always victory."
"Unity is strength."
"United we stand, divided we fall." And many more.
4. Conclusion- This part involves clarification of your statement and stance along with thanking the audience for being such patient listeners. This paragraph needs to be short and precise.
Here also, you could add some glitter to your art piece with some quotes like "The word IMPOSSIBLE itself says, I M POSSIBLE."

Things to remember while attempting a question on debate writing for class 12 English writing skills

DO'S

 i.          Before you begin writing, write down all the points (one/two words per point) at the back of your answer sheet (rough sheet) so that you do not forget relevant points while writing. This also helps you in maintaining a sequence, which is very important.

ii.          Make sure you double check for grammatical accuracy and spellings. They carry marks.

iii.          Leave adequate number of lines between paragraphs to make it look clean.

iv.          Underlining the main points is very important. But it is advised to do it after finishing your exam. Use a pencil and scale for underlining.

v.          Always have a few general quotes in handy. They help in presentation and shows that you're prepared

vi.          Presentation is very important.

vii.          Read a lot of debates to get an idea.

viii.          Have information about all the major environmental, political, social issues that have taken place during the entire year. The Sample Question Paper 2018-19 released by CBSE consists of a question on "Social Media and its effects". It can be linked with a lot of problems we are facing today on personal and on global level. Example- Spreading of fake information, Mob lynching, reduced physical activities in children resulting in poor health, etc.

ix.          Practice previous year Question paper questions.

DON'Ts

i.          Never mention any of your personal details, i.e., name, school name or address.

ii.          Never write in one go. Make sure you follow the right format and make paragraphs.

iii.          Don't use slangs or short forms.

iv.          Don't write wrong facts.

v.          Try not to exceed the prescribed word limit of 150-200 words.

vi.          Do not invest too much time in just this question.

Q1. You are Namrata / Rahima of SKT Public School. Your school has organized a debate on "Social Media and It's Effects “A and you will be participating from your school. Prepare your views against or in favor of the motion. (150-200 words)                                            (10)

(Source- CBSE Sample Question Paper 2018-19)

Answer:

SOCIAL MEDIA AND IT's EFFECTS

FOR THE MOTION:
"We are all now connected by the internet, like neurons in a giant brain"

Honourable judges, teachers and my worthy opponents, thank you for giving me the opportunity to join this debate on the topic, "Social Media and It's Effects". I am Mukul/ Mahima and I would like to speak in favour of the motion.

How many people do not have a smile on their faces on finding an old friend on facebook? Well, social media has removed all the barriers and boundaries to communication by bringing the globe on a single platform. While business opportunities have widened, marketer's reach has broadened. It keeps us updated about everything going on in every nook and corner of the world on a real-time basis. From emergency alerts, announcements and declarations to knowing how our friends are doing has all become so convenient. It provides freedom of speech and thus, enables everyone to speak their mind. Not to forget the incalculable access it provides to the extensive information.   

With so much advancement and innovation, it would be an unimaginable world without having social media in it. Someone has rightly put it into words by saying,

"Social media is addictive precisely because it gives us something what the real world lacks: it gives us immediacy, direction and a value as an individual."

Thank you.

AGAINST THE MOTION:

What a world it is, with everyone on their phones, all the time, faking their lives and keeping a count of their likes?

Good Morning, ladies and gentlemen! I am Mukul/ Mahima and my topic for the day is, "Social media and it's effects". I would like to speak against the motion.
It has now become doubtful to trust the saying that goes like "Technology was developed to save time and make our lives easier", because people have become addicted and unproductive. It takes a lot of effort and discipline to stay away from social media. Results have shown that it has had adverse effects on human minds and their functioning. Outdoor activities among children have also reduced significantly.

No doubt it provides access to useful information, but, it is hard to ignore the quantum of fake news that spreads like wildfire and the extent of impact it has on the society. In fact, fake whatsapp forwards was a clear pattern that was observed behind the recent mob lynchings or rather, "Death by social media".

It is one of the reasons behind insecurities and depression among teenagers. It is right that technology was introduced to save time, but we forgot to mention, "In the right amount". So, remember, you leave the present moment every time you check the phone.

Thank you for your cooperation and patient hearing.

Q2. "Academic excellence is the only requirement for a successful career." Write a debate either for or against the motion. (120 - 150 words)
         (Source- CBSE Question paper 2017-18, set-1)                                                                       (10)

Answer:
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IS THE ONLY REQUIREMENT FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAREER.

FOR THE MOTION:

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it from you."

Respected judges and my worthy opponents, I stand before you all to speak in favour of the motion: "Academic excellence is the only requirement for a successful career".

Right to Education is the fundamental right of every child in the age group of six to fourteen years. The education system in the primary years is designed so as to provide basic knowledge of each subject and help the youth of today to choose their subject of interest for its deeper study that can only be provided effectively through universities. It plays a key role in the development of society and nation. Information cannot be converted into knowledge without education. Education makes us capable of interpreting things, among other things.

It helps in raising future leaders by providing them clear understanding and developing decision making abilities. It makes them resourceful and competent. Excellence in academics prepares children for the competition ahead and teaches them to work hard as well.  

Moreover, Excellency will ensure admission to the best universities for higher education that provide exposure and a kick start to their career. To conclude, I would say that one who has it's academic future choices sorted out, has it's career planned out.

"The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth."

Thank you.

AGAINST THE MOTION:

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! My topic for the day is "Academic excellence is the only requirement for a successful career" and I choose to speak against the motion.

"The goal of education is to raise the leaders of tomorrow". But my question is, How is it that most of the leaders of today happen to be college dropouts? This is because having degrees cannot ensure success. It fails to impart the life skills and polish personality of an individual. They can surely give you an overview of a subject but fail to provide an overview of how the world works. It does not ensure skills and competencies. It tells people what to think instead of how to think and the end results is that, the society now has just robots who have switched their minds off only to believe what is being taught.

One's attitude towards life is what brings success. Undoubtedly, academic Excellencies can provide you degrees or may even land you at a job, but, your success depends upon how you think, behave, walk, talk and present yourself. It has been rightly said,

"Education produces great employees in the market, not employers".

Thank you.

Q3. "ONLINE SMART CLASSES ARE THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION STYLE". Write a debate either for or against the motion. (150 - 200 words).                                                                                  (10)

Answer:
ONLINE SMART CLASSES ARE THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION STYLE
FOR THE MOTION:

Honourable judges and worthy listeners,

"If you are so old minded and think that computers will be distracting children from studies, with a sincere sorry for you, let me tell you that the young generation has gone a long way with computers!"
Thus, I am here to talk about the endless possibilities of computer and internet based teaching methods.

When most parents think of learning from computers, socializing websites like facebook appear before their eyes. It is the biggest cyber tragedy. There are definitely a large number of sites beyond just facebook.

Udemy, Coursera, Khan academy, Byju's teaching app, the list of online teaching platforms is endless and ever growing. There are millions of students and teachers who use these websites and apps for their exam-preparation. They are mostly free and it is what makes one turn away from traditional paper-guides. With a smartphone in every hand, city and village alike, these online libraries are within everyone's reach.

Google has already replaced the word Guru to become the greatest knowledge-provider.

With seven hundred billion population and six hundred trees, it is the need of the century to go paperless. In this context you can find no better solution than eLearning.

 Rather than living the life of a consumer, let's be contributors. Instead of buying paper books, let's buy eBooks. Instead of collecting a thousand books in our shelves, let's convert our phones or computers into virtual libraries and learn.

Thank you.

AGAINST THE MOTION:

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! My topic for the day is "Online Classes are the Future of Education Style" and I choose to speak against the motion.

Online learning or e-learning refers to learning conducted via electronic media, typically on the Internet. There is no face-to-face interaction between the teacher and the student. It decreases the scope of adjusting and modifying the language or the concept according to various audiences. Moreover, humans are known to be social animals and are thus, more interested in direct tuition than virtual tuition. There is lack of proper guidance and self-assessment mechanisms. Not only this, it would also reduce employment among teachers.

Since it involves only brain work and not physical work, they tend to get lethargic resulting in altered physiology. Also, it leads to lack of discipline. Attending a school makes one have a time schedule in a day. This helps them learn some good habits like, bathing, breakfast, going to bed at the right time etc. Physical school help children adopt a discipline.

Not to forget the excellent interactions involved in physical learning. People tend to make friends who support them and mentors who guide them. Thus, no matter how fast technological developments are taking place, the traditional way of learning should not be displaced.

Thank you.  

Q4. 'Homes for the aged is a necessity in India '. Write a debate in 150- 200 words either for or against the motion. You are Shivam/ Shivani.
(CBSE Sample Question Paper 2018)

Answer:
HOMES FOR THE AGED IS A NECESSITY IN INDIA

FOR THE MOTION:

Old age is often referred to as the crown of life, as it is our play's last act. Honourable judges, teachers and my worthy opponents, I thank you all for providing me the opportunity to highlight the importance of Old Age Homes in India.  

An old age home is a place, a home for old people who have no one to look after them or those whose children have left them on the streets. The place, of course, is like home where the inmates get all the facilities for a routine living, like food, clothing, medicine and shelter. Old age brings with it physical weakness. In case they are alone at home while you're away, it would be almost impossible to tackle any medical emergency. These centres will take care of them and cater to all such emergencies

Also, burglars usually attempt to break into a house where a lonely aged person lives, murder them without hesitating and loot the house. That's why it is safer to keep your parents in a senior-care-home when you have to stay away from them for your earning and are unable to keep them there with you.

Thus, it is crucial to have Old age homes in the country because old age needs so little but needs that little very much. Nothing is more important than a smile that has struggled through tears and many years.

Thank you.

AGAINST THE MOTION:

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! My topic for the day is "Home for the aged is a necessity in India" and I choose to speak against the motion.

There is nothing fundamentally wrong with the whole idea of Old age homes, but just like there are two sides of the same coin, it also has some disadvantages and problems associated to it. Services attract costs. Better the services, higher the costs. Most of the aged population are pensioners or dependent on children which makes it difficult for them to afford good quality care. There is lack of privacy too. The environment is impersonal, which may give rise to feeling of loneliness, which may further lead to depression. They lose the right to decide what to eat and cannot spend time with grandchildren. Also, there have been many incidents of neglect and poor treatment.

They are those people who made us capable and created a world for us. How can we leave them in the cold, that too when they require the warmth of our love the most? Our parents have sacrificed so much for us without asking for anything in return. This makes it our sole responsibility to take care of them when they need it the most, because, in the end, the ultimate luxury is being at home and able to relax with the family.

Thank you.