Debate
1. Debate is a contest between two speakers or two groups of speakers to show skill and
ability in arguing.
2. A proposition, a question or a problem is required for this purpose and speakers have to
speak FOR or AGAINST it.
3. To participate in a debate, one must prepare an outline of the main points in the order
in which one is going to argue.
4. There are usually limitations on the time a speaker can speak for.
5. The speaker addresses the audience.
6. Every topic / subject has its own vocabulary which must be carefully chosen.
7. The speaker addresses the CHAIR, “submits” an argument, “appeals” and “questions”
the opponent’s views, “concludes” an argument. He also “answers” questions in a
‘rebuttal’ session.
You will find the following expressions useful in preparing your own
arguments
1. I’d like to raise a question/argue...
2. In my opinion..
3. I feel very strongly that..
4. I’d like to present my views..
5. I am amazed by the views expressed by ..
6. I would like to draw attention to..
7. I fail to understand..
8. My knowledgeable opponent has submitted that..
9. May I ask..
10. On the contrary..
11. I condemn..
12. I firmly reject..
13. How can you be so ignorant to say that..
14. I support the motion that
15. I totally disagree with the view..
Sample debate
Boarding Schools are Better Than Day Schools
Honourable Chairperson, members of the jury and dear friends. The topic before the house is
‘Boarding Schools are Better Than Day Schools’. I would like to speak against the motion.
The growth of a child is based on a myriad of experiences that only a regular blend of school
and home can provide. Children in day schools have a daily opportunity to practice mutual
tolerance and cooperation, not only at school bit also at home. My worthy opponent might
wish to state that boarding schools offer better opportunities for discipline and leadership.
I would like to remind him that submission to regimenting authority does not allow scope for
self-reliance and independence of judgement. The leaders become over dominating and the
followers submissive and dependent. A sensitive child needing a little extra care or emotional
support would probably undergo a continuous feeling of deprivation. The time period between
two vacations is rather long.
Exploring the world beyond walls of the school is extremely essential for balanced growth and
helps to overcome the monotony of a rigid routine. Moreover, boarding schools limit the
opportunity of mixing with the opposite sex on normal and natural terms. Many children from
boarding schools do not adjust to family life and even as adults wish to be only in the company
of their friends.
I would like to conclude by stating that boarding schools are a compromise. Circumstances may
compel parents to educate their child in a boarding school but I am sure it is a painful decision
for both. If boarding schools had truly been better than day schools, this experience would not
have been a painful one. Moreover, if boarding schools had been truly worthwhile, they would
have outnumbered day schools. I would like to restate that boarding schools are certainly not
better than day schools.
Thank you.
Newspaper Report
A newspaper reporter bases his report of an event on the eye witnesses’ account of it.
Therefore he listens to a number of eyewitnesses and builds his story on their accounts.
He ensures that the facts are accurate since the credibility of a newspaper or a news reporter
depends on the accuracy and authenticity of the information being reported.
Usually, a newspaper report is very brief but it has an eye catching caption and an objective but
engrossing and interesting style.
Format of a Newspaper Report
Headline or title
: Catchy, suitable and brief (preferably in the Passive Voice).
Tense: For an event that is already over, use the Past/Past Perfect Tense. For an event that is
still continuing, use the Present Continuous Tense. For situations expected in the future, use
the Future Tense)
Byline
:
City, Date or name of the Reporter.
Opening paragraph: A brief mention of what happened, where and how and most
prominent consequence/ effect along with the day, date and time when it took place.
Details
:
Paragraph 2 and 3 give details of the event being reported. Eye
witness’ account (along with some quotes) is also included. In case of accidents, loss of life and
property is listed, cause of the accident is concluded, police actions and rescue operations,
damage control exercise are detailed. Compensation and help announced by government are
mentioned.
Conclusion
:
A remark as to how the event has impacted life and people is made.
Sample Newspaper Report
Dumper rams into bus, 15 injured
Vandana Keelor , TNN
Noida, June 24: A head-on collision between a speeding truck and an Uttar Pradesh Roadways
bus on an intersecting road near Sector 105 on Monday left 15 people injured.
The bus was heading towards Noida from Greater Noida.Suddenly, a speeding dumper
coming from the opposite direction rammed into the bus at the intersection near Express View
HIG Apartments in Sector 105. The accident took place around 7.30am, said the police.
`“The bus crashed into an electricity pole on the dividing culvert after the impact and was
badly damaged, while the truck did not suffer much harm. There were around 30 passengers
in the bus who were travelling from Greater Noida to Sector 2 in Noida,” said a senior police
officer.
Meena Mishra, chief medical superindent of Gautam Budh Nagar district hospital said “Fifteen
people, including women, were brought into the hospital early Monday morning after the
accident. Except for one patient, who was referred to Prayag Hospital in Sector 41, six others
needed minor medical attention. They were kept under observation and permitted to leave
after a few hours. The rest were given first aid and then allowed to go.”
“Even though the driver tried to avoid the collision, there was a head-on impact. The bus also
hit an electricity pole during the accident,” said Salman, a passenger of the ill-fated bus.
Residents of Kalyaninagar village, which was the closest to the accident site, were the first to
reach the site and help in rescuing survivors.
The Transport Commissioner (Safety) has ordered an enquiry into the accident.He said that it
was second such mishap in the area in the last fortnight .The Chief Minister, Mrs. Sheila
Dikshit, announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 50,000 each to the injured.