English Argumentative Skills
Yaoyao Ruan
1. How to critique?
2. How to debate?
3. Team debate
Warm-up Games
Riddles
Rules:��1. Take turns.��2. One student reads aloud a sentence on the screen and ask other students “What is it?”.��3. Anyone who knows the answer can raise their hands. Once your name is called, tell us your answer.�
This white farm animal gives us wool.
Every shoe has it. It’s high, medium, or low.
This big boat travels across the sea.
It looks like a mountain, but it’s much smaller.
sheep
ship
heel
hill
The opposite of expensive is…
He’s a funny British character. His name is Mr. …
A famous dish originated from England. Fish and …
You put trash there. It’s made of plastic or metal.
cheap
chips
bean
bin
Pronunciation Journey
How to critique?
Warm-up Practice
We should seek help from doctors immediately when we feel sick because it is better for us.
Do you agree?
Any Problems?
You MUST use the words in blue in your speech!
I don’t agree that we should seek help from doctors immediately when we feel sick.
Opinion
Causality
Because quite often, symptoms are very common and minor.
Why?
Analogy
For example, headaches. They are usually caused by stress. All we need is relaxation and rest.
If we seek help from doctors immediately every time we have a headache, we are making a fuss over a trifling matter.
Agree/Disagree + the statement
Statement 1
Reading books is the best way to get rid of stupidity.
Opinion: Agree/Disagree + the statement
Agree | Disagree |
1. | 1. |
2. | 2. |
3. | 3. |
Obtain new knowledge about the world, like history, geography etc.
What’s written in a book is out-of-date; it’s better to learn from real life.
Statement 3
One must leave his/her comfort zone to live a successful life.
Opinion: Agree/Disagree + the statement
Agree | Disagree |
1. | 1. |
2. | 2. |
3. | 3. |
How to debate?
Think a lot about the given topic.
Listen to the other party’s opinion and find problems.
Carefully and logically critique them.
Debate is not difficult at all!
Corresponding
Analogy
Some life-threatening illness only shows minor symptoms. For example, swollen fingertips may be a sign of lung cancer.
If we seek doctor’s help immediately, we can avoid getting sicker and facing unwanted consequences.
Causality
Sometimes symptoms may not be severe, but the hidden problems could be worse than it looks.
Procedures
1. Divide into two teams.
AGREE Team
VS.
DISAGREE Team
2. Decide the order of speech.
3. Brainstorming.
4. Start debating.
Rules
I think it’s unnecessary to seek doctor’s help immediately when we feel sick because some symptoms are common and minor.
Causality
1 point!
For example, headaches. They are usually caused by stress. You don’t need a doctor for that.
Analogy
1 point!
Sometimes, symptoms may not be severe, but the hidden problems could be worse than it looks.
logical
corresponding
1 point!
Some life-threatening illness only shows minor symptoms. For example, swollen fingertips may be a sign of lung cancer.
Analogy
1 point!
If we seek for the doctor’s help immediately, we can avoid getting sicker and facing unwanted consequences.
Causality
1 point!
I can’t come up with a new point./ Silence over 10 seconds.
DISAGREE Team
AGREE Team
Causality + Analogy = 2 Points
Logical corresponding + Causality + Analogy = 3 Points
Win!
Note: illogical corresponding or no corresponding gets 0 point.
Statement 3
Young people are obligated to give up their seats to the elderly in public transport when the elderly have no place to sit.
Opinion: Agree/Disagree + the statement
Agree | Disagree |
1. | 1. |
2. | 2. |
3. | 3. |
Manners
1. Please state ONE point at a time. It can include Opinion, Corresponding, Causality, Analogy and Conclusion.
2. Your speech should be NO longer than 2 minutes every time.
3. Please speak clearly. Do NOT speak too fast.
Statement 4
In China, “impoverished families can hardly nurture rich sons”.
Rich:
Sons: children
Opinion: Agree/Disagree + the statement
Agree | Disagree |
1. | 1. |
2. | 2. |
3. | 3. |
Thank you!