Debate

                                      A Debate       

What is a Debate?

A debate is a discussion or structured contest about an issue or a resolution. A formal debate involves two sides: one supporting a resolution and one opposing it. Such a debate is bound by rules previously agreed upon. Debates may be judged in order to declare a winning side. Debates, in one form or another, are commonly used in democratic societies to explore and resolve issues and problems. Decisions at a board meeting, public hearing, legislative assembly, or local organization are often reached through discussion and debate. Indeed, any discussion of a resolution is a form of debate, which may or may not follow formal rules (such as Robert’s Rules of Order). In the context of a classroom, the topic for debate will be guided by the knowledge, skill, and value outcomes in the curriculum.

Let’s See How to Conduct a Debate, What are the guidelines?       

Initial Step

A formal debate usually involves three groups: one supporting a resolution (affirmative team), one opposing the resolution (opposing team), and those who are judging the quality of the evidence and arguments and the performance in the debate. The affirmative and opposing teams usually consist of three members each, while the judging may be done by the teacher, a small group of students, or the class as a whole. In addition to the three specific groups, there may an audience made up of class members not involved in the formal debate. A specific resolution is developed and rules for the debate are established

Debate Preparation:

• Develop the resolution to be debated.

• Organize the teams.

• Establish the rules of the debate, including timelines.

• Research the topic and prepare logical arguments.

• Gather supporting evidence and examples for position taken.

• Anticipate counter arguments and prepare rebuttals.

• Team members plan order and content of speaking in debate.

• Prepare room for debate.

• Establish expectations, if any, for assessment of debate.

Debate opens with the affirmative team (the team that supports the resolution) presenting their arguments, followed by a member of the opposing team. This pattern is repeated for the second speaker in each team. Finally, each team gets an opportunity for rebutting the arguments of the opponent. Speakers should speak slowly and clearly.

 

A typical sequence for debate, with suggested timelines, is as follows: • the first speaker on the affirmative team presents arguments in support of the resolution. (5 – 10 minutes)

• The first speaker on the opposing team presents arguments opposing the resolution.

(5 – 10 minutes)

• The second speaker on the affirmative team presents further arguments in support of the

resolution, identifies areas of conflict, and answers questions that may have been raised

by the opposition speaker. (5 – 10 minutes)

• The second speaker on the opposing team presents further arguments against the

resolution, identifies further areas of conflict, and answers questions that may have been

raised by the previous affirmative speaker. (5 – 10 minutes)

• The rules may include a short recess for teams to prepare their rebuttals. (5 minutes)

• The opposing team begins with the rebuttal, attempting to defend the opposing arguments

and to defeat the supporting arguments without adding any new information.

(3 – 5 minutes)

• First rebuttal of the affirmative team (3 – 5 minutes)

• Each team gets a second rebuttal for closing statements with the affirmative team having

the last opportunity to speak. (3 – 5 minutes each)

• There cannot be any interruptions. Speakers must wait their turns. The teacher may need to enforce the rules.

 

A Debate on Television is Boon or a Curse

(Team A: Affirmative Team, Team B: Negative Team)

Team A: Hey Guys, did you watch yesterday’s Documentary on History Channel? It was Mind blowing?

            Yes We watched! It was really amazing.

Team B: How many hours it was?

Team A: 2 hours.

Team B: Don’t you think watching TV too much affects our health?

Team A: No. Television plays an important role in this modern world. Now day it has become essential requirements in every house. There is no doubt about the fact that the technology has given us a major tool in television. It is in short known as TV. It is the most effective and entertaining media. It provides the best entertainment. It is the ultimate discovery of the mankind in 19th century. It attracts all ages with many interesting programs. It also seeks the attention of everyone by its extraordinary audio and video effects. Television not only provides the best entertainment but only provides employment to many people.

Team B: But, It trap's the minds of the viewer's so badly that they do not get bored of TV even after watching for hours together. Television became very informative at times. It is so informative that it provides news from all parts of world, the viewer can see all important incident happening all parts of the world just by sitting in front of television.

It play a vital role to influence children, they spend hours together in front of television gaping at the screen. It also prevents them from using their imagination skill of children and takes them away from the world of fantasy. It also makes them inactive. They show less interest toward education and there is a keen change of spoiling their education. They not only show less interest toward studies but also toward playing. Television makes children lazy to a great extent as they are found of watching TV for hours together and their by their physical activity decreases. As the physical activity decrease it lead to many health problems. Television spoils the minds of children by killing their imaginative powers. It blocks their creativity and confuses their minds. Children sit in front of television set and watch programs for hours together as if hypnotized by it and they get totally infatuated with it. They as well spoil their communication skills. If children watch television for hours together it cause eyesight or at times it may also leads to blindness. Television plays a vital role in spoiling the career of the children. Thereby parents must put a constant check on their kids and actions so that they can correct their mistakes at early stage it so that the damage will be minimized. The TV set should be discarded as they fill their minds with rubbish. Instead of installing a TV sets in their houses it is better to place a book shelf.

 

Team A:
Yes, But, Television provides best entertaining media, it provides wholesome family entertainment at low cost. Even it becomes very informative at times. The viewers by sitting in front of TV can gather all the important incidents happening throughout the world. If one can limit their time watching television they can know many things. It plays an important role in refreshing the minds of the people who had worked hard all through the day. Children during their vacation spend their time on TV and it makes a great difference for old people as they have nothing to do because they get retired, they can spend their free time on watching various programs. There will be old super-duper hits and new super hits movies coming up all through the day which provides the best entertainment.

 

There will many serials coming up all throw the week. Cartoon channels always attract children the most because the cartoon channels are designed in such a way that it will bring laugh in the faces of the children. The serials are design in such a way that it touches the heart of the women and old people and sometimes serials are so touchy that the audience eye starts watering. Many star interviews are telecasted in television to promote their films. Advertisements bring awareness in the audience about the product available in the market and also their prices. It also telecast many sightseeing places and temples present in the surrounding places. "Good music always gives relaxing effect to mind" so television also presents many music channel which attract all the audience. Sports channel mainly attract the teenagers and all sport lovers. News provides awareness about the ill effect happening in the society and also provides lot of useful information. Television also provides various reality shows for youth.

 

Team B: That is also true. But we think there should be a limit for watching a Tv?

Team A: Yes it is possible.

 

Conclusion(Team A/B): Television plays a major role in human life. Television will become very effective and informative if it is limited to sometime. It also relaxes and refreshes the minds. It makes people stress free in a little time. But if we watch television for a long time it may strain our eyes and also lead to many problems. It is in our hands to use this modern device in the beneficial manner or in a distractive manner. Let us take an oath today we will use television in a beneficial manner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Debate on Online Courses – Good or bad?

Team A: Hey Guys, Look!! I have completed a Computer Online Course!! Here’s the Certificate of that!!

            WOW!! That’s Amazing!!

Team B: But is it worthy to have a online Course Certificate??

Team A: Yes!! Online course is a new substitute to regular college degree these days. Many students seeking admission get to know that online courses are more specialized and affordable as compared to a three-year degree at a regular college. However, students have their own doubts about online degree that whether it is reliable and acknowledgeable or not.

 

Team B:  Online courses do not provide students an opportunity to develop their personality and communication skill which can be gained through regular degree program at a college. Students get to interact with teachers, class mates as well as internship opportunities through regular degree which is not available in an online course. Moreover, students get their own mentors in college if they pursue a regular three-year degree program.

 

Team A: One of the major benefits of online course is it’s much affordable cost of learning. Also, it saves a student’s energy and time spent in commuting to and from college for their regular classes. Online degree provides facility of flexible schedule and students can select it as per their convenience. Besides they can utilize their spare time by engaging in other activities or even part time jobs. Hence, students get an opportunity of learning while earning.

 

Team B: Through a classroom based program students are engaged in projects, assignments besides bi-annual assessment of their learning. For a successful online class, there should be a high speed, reliable and easily accessible internet connection failing which the students will be at a big loss which is not the case with classroom sessions.

 

Team A: For online courses, students are provided with online study material and guidance notes. Also, the curriculum of online degree is designed in simple format so that students can easily progress as per their suitability.

 

Team B: Since there are many fake online programs there are chances of fraud and unrecognized courses. In a classroom, students are engaged in various activities like debates, presentations, viva-voce etc. which develops their personality and confidence of public speaking.

 

Team A: The online degree course is short term programs spanning from six months to two years as compared to regular degree. These e-learning courses also have assessment tests which are necessary to be given by the students so as to get the certificate of recognition.