DEBATE

Prepared by
Sreelakshmi Prathapan
English Pedagogy
SN College of Teacher Education,
Muvattupuzha

A debate has been described as a

form of argument that has strict
rules of conduct and quite
sophisticated arguing techniques.

Debates are used especially within

the subjects like: Humanities, Social
Science, and selectively within the
Sciences.

Teacher aims at to involve the

students:

to conduct comprehensive research into

the topic.
to gather supporting evidence on the
topic.

engage in collaborative learning.

to improve communication skills.

to develop leadership and team skills.

This technique can be employed only

for teaching topics involving
controversies, where views can be
expressed both for and against the
issue.

In this technique, the teacher selects

speakers for and against the issue,
guides and prepares them and finally
gets it staged for providing realistic
experience to the rest of his students.

The team assigned to agree with the

topic is called proposition and the
team on the other side is called the
opposition.

While preparing a debate, the following points are to be remembered:

Topic and date must be informed in advance, so that the

participants get sufficient time for preparation.

Topic should be clear, simple, and interesting and must be

one involving controversies.

Speakers are to be selected from the class and then divided

into two groups to argue for and against the topic.

The chairman is to be nominated in advance.

When preparing for a debate, the arguments for either

group must be arranged in logical sequence.

The procedures that can be adopted in the

conduct of a debate:

Speakers in favour of the issue are seated at the right hand side of
the chairman and those against at the left.
The number of speakers will be determined in advance depending
upon the time available.
The chairman gives a short introductory speech on the issue,
introduces the speakers to the audience and calls upon the
speakers in the order.
After all the active participants have finished, the issue is thrown
open to the audience and members from the audience are invited
to speak.
Then the leaders of both sides are given chance to sumup the
arguments of their respective groups.
The arguments of both sides are summarized by the chairman.
The issue is put to vote and the results is declared.

MERITS

The audience get impetus to think and to reflect,

which in turn will enrich the knowledge of the
learners.
The speakers can improve their competencies for
expression and the confidence to speak in front of a
large gathering.
It promotes constructive group activity.
It develops spontaneous and logical thinking as
well as speaking.
It develops the competencies for influencing people
by logical arguments.

CONCLUSION

Debate is one of the most effective techniques of group instruction

where both active participation and passive listening are involved.

Selection of the speakers is an important task which ultimately decides

the success or failure of the performance.

As a result of working together with peers, the students can know their
own strengths and weaknesses.

At the end of the debate, a larger majority of students would have

obtained a better grasp of the topic and learnt not only more but also
more effectively.

This way is preferable to traditional teaching-learning process, such as

passively listening to the teacher or writing an essay on the topic
concerned.

Thorough preparation and adequate rehearsals under mature guidance

are a must in this technique of instruction. Discipline must be maintained
throughout the debate.