CBSE Class 12 English Debate and Speech Assignment

DEBATE

Debate is a contest between two speakers or two groups of speakers to show their skills and abilities in an argument over a topic. It is a kind of formal discussion before a public assembly or legislature. It is a persuasive manner of speaking with the aim of converting the view of another person, or of the audience, to your own point of view. A speaker either speaks for or against the issue being discussed.

Marking Scheme

• Format 1 Mark (Opening address and conclusion)
• Content 4 Marks
• Expression 5 Marks (Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings 2½; Coherence and relevance of ideas and styles 2½)

Points to be Kept in Mind

• Debate should always have a good introduction to grab the audience's attention and garner interest in the topic.
• Prepare the debate properly by considering both positive and negative aspects of the topic.
• Address the jury and the audience properly.
• Make your stand very clear from the very beginning.
• Highlight the main points of your argument emphatically.
• While developing points, substantiate them with relevant examples, statistics, etc.
• Use argumentative style and logical reasoning.
• State your own opinion or view in the concluding lines with a powerful statement to emphasise your stand on the issue.
• Some examples can be added in support of your view.
• Throughout the debate, stick to your viewpoint either in favour or against.
• Include rhetorical questions, which make your opponents consider the validity of your point while it undermines their point.

Question. Write separate debates in 150-200 words both for and against the motion. The topic of the debate is "The Right to Education Act is a Realistic and Achievable Goal that will Change the Face of Education in India". You are Harshita/ Rahul.
Answer: Against the Motion
Worthy Chairperson, Secretary and Dear Students.
Today I, Harshita, stand before you to speak against the motion 'The Right to Education is a realistic and achievable goal that will change the face of education in India.'
There is no denying the fact that our country has taken some very bold steps towards spreading education to the remotest areas of the country and to all the deprived sections of our society. One of these steps is the passage and implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act. However, we still have a long way to go to fully change the face of education in the country. What is the use of the act if parents simply do not send their children to school? In rural areas and in many urban slums, this is a stark reality due to the necessity of making children work for meeting the family budget. This is the main cause of the curse of child labour.
I would also like to draw your attention to the wide gap between what is shown to us through various media as well as data publicised by the government and what is the ground reality. We still see dropouts from schools searching for trinkets in heaps of garbage. There are villages where there are no schools, no teachers and nothing worth the name called 'a school'.
I don't think RTE will succeed in its mission unless we change our work culture and recognise the reality behind facts and figures. I, therefore, oppose the motion.
Thank you!

For the Motion
Worthy Chairperson, Secretary and Dear Students
Today I, Rahul, stand before you to speak for the motion, 'The Right to Education Act (RTE) is a realistic and achievable goal that will change the face of education in India'.
I wish to say that the RTE makes it obligatory on the state to guarantee the right to education and ensure compulsory admission, attendance and completion of elementary education by every child of 6 to 14 years. I feel very strongly that the three basic goals of RTE will greatly benefit the children coming from poor and marginalised families, provided that they are implemented with due seriousness.
The benefits of properly implementing RTE are three. Firstly, it brings poor children to school. Then, it ensures that all schools meet the norms specified by the government. Next, it ensures that all children receive quality schooling.
In my opinion, education and literacy are the keys to many problems facing the people. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that today the condition on the education front is not like what it was when India achieved independence. Successive governments have helped to increase the literacy of the population significantly, particularly that of females.
Thus, if the RTE Act is effectively implemented, is a realistic and achievable goal. So, I strongly feel that, with the passage of time, RTE will change the face of education in India.
Thank you!

Question. You are Ram/ Rajani. Write a debate either for or against the motion: 'Participation in sports is a mere wastage of time'. (150-200 words). 
Answer: For the Motion
Respected Judges, honourable opponents and friends,
I, Rajani, will speak for the motion, 'Participation in sports is a mere wastage of time'.
First I will raise the point regarding the length of the career of a sportsperson. Most sportspersons retire by the age of 35 to 40 years, whereas other persons can have a career normally stretching to the age of 60 or 65. After retirement a normal sportsperson finds it difficult to get a suitable job to make ends meet. The majority of sportspersons in India are neglected after they retire. There are many examples of sportspersons living in poverty in their old age.
Next, particularly in physical sports, there are chances of injuries, which may cause permanent bodily harm or reduce their efficiency. This may shorten the career of many sportspersons too. This will add on to my first point regarding their earning capability in their middle age.
My third point is regarding the time consumed in practising, participating in competitions, maintaining physical fitness etc. All these consume a large amount of time, thus reducing a sportsperson's social life significantly. What it amounts to is that many sacrifices have to be made for a sportsperson to be successful even if the person is talented.
Summing up, we can understand that participation in sports is really a mere wastage of time, which cannot lead to a productive career.
Thank you.

Against the Motion
Respected Judges, honourable opponents and friends,
I, Ram, will speak against the motion, 'Participation in sports is a mere wastage of time'.
Sports has become a viable career option today. With the government launching schemes like 'Khelo India' and others to identify sports talent at the primary school level, any child who is talented will be trained effectively using government funds to develop its talent. Talent for a particular sport can be recognised at this age and developed accordingly. Then it is the duty of the child's parents to allow the child adequate time for practising and competitions away from the family. There are many cases of sportspersons being successful due to their parents' liberal attitude.
Even if a child is not found talented in a particular sport, participation in sports is definitely not a mere wastage of time because it keeps one mentally and physically fit. Regular participation in sports develops the body and keeps the child physically fit. It also develops a competitive attitude, besides developing other qualities like leadership, cooperation and a 'sportsman's spirit. Thus sports make a person developed in every sense.
In addition, even a moderately successful sportsperson gets a chance to travel abroad for training or competition and meet sportspersons of other countries, thus developing the person's personality in all-round manner. This helps the person in all spheres of life later on.
Thus we can conclude that participation in sports is not a mere wastage of time.
Thank you.

Question. The policy of reservation of seats for admission to the professional courses is good for the deprived sections of society. Write a debate in 150-200 words either for or against the motion. 
Answer: For the Motion
Worthy Chairperson, Secretary and Dear Students
Today I, Sameer, stand before you to speak for the motion, 'The policy of reservation of seats for admission to the professional courses is good for the deprived sections of society'. We all are aware that Indian society still remains a caste based hierarchical system. The lower caste people have remained exploited by the high caste ones and have suffered the fate of socio-economic underdevelopment. The aim of reservations in admission to professional courses is to bring them at par with other sections of society. Though it appears as a violation of the principle of equality, yet its justification is sustained by the obligation of a social welfare state.
Article 46 of the Indian Constitution provides that the state shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people. Further, the first Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951 has added clause 4 to Article 15 which provides that nothing shall prevent the state from making any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward class of citizens.
The Constitution was designed to help the deprived sections of society and thus the policy of reservation is justified.
Thank you !

Against the Motion
Worthy Chairperson, Secretary and Dear Students
Today I, Kaveri, stand before you to speak against the motion, 'The policy of reservation of seats for admission to the professional courses is good for the deprived sections of society'.
The policy of reservation stated in the Indian Constitution was designed as an ad-hoc policy for ten years. But it is continuing to get extensions after the end of every ten years. These extensions are creating frustrations among the other people, as they are deprived of opportunities to take admission in professional courses due to the reservation policy.
In addition, the policy of reservation is contrary to the principle of equality. Equality presupposes equal treatment to all and equal protection of all people. But special privileges and extra protection to certain classes of people is against the policy of equality. It violates the very spirit of democracy.
Further, the reservation policy has actually created a new class of vested interests in Indian society. These people have earned permanently the benefit of the reservation policy. Thus, the policy has created the psychology of dependency among them.
Thus this policy is actually harming the derived sections in the long run.
Thank you !

Question. "A career counsellor (not you yourself) is the best person to guide you in the choice of a career." Write a debate in 150 - 200 words either for or against the motion.
Answer: For the Motion
Respected Judges, honourable opponents and friends,
I will speak for the motion, "A career counsellor (not you yourself) is the best person to guide you in the choice of a career."
I fully agree that career counsellors are the best people to guide any one in the choice of careers. They play a prime role in helping individuals to put their talent, interest and aptitude to good use in selection of a career. There are many specific duties a career counsellor has to fulfil. He maintains records of each individual student and determines what the student's desires and aptitudes are with regard to what he wishes to pursue once he graduates from the educational establishment.
A career counsellor is a person who has done enough research in providing a job to students as per their personality, aptitude and interest. He normally has connections with various outside agencies which may provide financial aid to the students, if they need any, while pursing their higher studies for making a career in their chosen profession.
As a career counsellor is quite sympathetic, he can provide a sympathetic ear to the student to discuss various issues and also provide moral support to the students if they need it.
Thank you!

Against the Motion
Respected Judges, honourable opponents and friends,
I will speak against the motion, "A career counsellor (not you yourself) is the best person to guide you in the choice of a career."
I do not agree with the statement that career counsellors are the best persons to help students in the choice of a career. More than career counsellors, the opinion of parents, who are already experienced in career choice making as well as ourselves, should influence the choice of a career. All parents want their children to find happiness and success in life. The right choice of a career will certainly provide happiness. Research in this field has indicated that when children feel supported and loved by their parents, they have more confidence in their own ability to find a career that suits them, and therefore, choose one which will be interesting to them as well as will provide them a suitable livelihood.
An individual should be the best judge to choose a career of his choice but he can seek guidance from parents and elders. Career counsellors do not know anything about a child before they suggest a career for him, which may ultimately result in failure or unhappiness, or both.
Thank you!

Question. 'Private cars should be banned in the congested commercial areas of the cities.' Write a debate in 150- 200 words either for or against the motion. 
Answer: For the Motion
Respected Judges, honourable opponents and friends,
I will speak for the motion, "Private cars should be banned in the congested commercial areas of the cities."
I am in favour of private cars being banned from entering such areas because these areas are prone to traffic jams during working hours. This causes problems like incidents of road rage, increase of pollution due to vehicle exhausts, wastage of precious time etc.
Most private cars run on petrol or diesel, emitting carbon dioxide, various nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from their exhausts. These are hazardous not only to human health but also contribute to global warming. These cars are also a source of noise pollution, as continuous honking can be witnessed in these areas due to the traffic jams. Vehicles of traders as well as their customers occupy the limited parking space in such areas, leading to illicit parking also. This leads to further traffic jams.
If private cars are banned from entering commercial complexes, much of this land can be used to open more shops or food outlets for visitors. Thus, private cars should be banned from entering in such areas.
Thank you!

Against the Motion
Respected Judges, honourable opponents and friends,
I will speak against the motion, "Private cars should be banned in the congested commercial areas of the cities."
I am not in favour of banning private cars from entering congested commercial areas because our public transport system in cities is not efficient enough to satisfy the needs of travel for the people in the cities. Freedom of travelling is inhibited when one is at the mercy of public vehicles. They have their scheduled places and time of departures and stops.
Moreover, if traders and their customers use taxis or autos, it will become a very costly affair. Therefore, trade and business will suffer. Retail prices will increase, causing difficulties for the common man.
Thus, both business and the economy will be adversely affected due to such a measure, which we cannot afford. So government should think of some other strategy to overcome the problem of pollution like odd-even rule, which was tried earlier with some success.
Thus, our economy will blossom and environmental pollution can be contained without putting a ban on cars being plied in congested commercial areas.
Thank you!

Question. You are Sameer/Saira. Write separate debates both for and against the motion, each of not more than 150-200 words on the topic, 'Entrance tests are the right method for selecting students for undergraduate courses'.
Answer: For the Motion
Worthy Chairperson, Secretary and Dear Students
Today I, Sameer, stand before you to speak for the motion, 'Entrance tests are the right method for selecting students for undergraduate courses'.
It is well-known that language acquisition till Class XII does not test the true abilities of students. The reason is that language is not taken seriously by the students during schooldays. In addition, Board results do not necessarily reveal the true potential of students, as they do well in the Boards by mugging up answers to typical questions without a proper understanding of the same.
Thus, even ordinary students can score very high in the Board exams if their memory is good and they memorise the answers to expected questions.
In contrast, a properly designed entrance test not only tests the aptitude of students for a prospective course, it also actually brings out their capabilities. In addition, an entrance test will ensure that only students who are genuinely interested in the course will take it. Considering all this, I strongly feel that entrance tests are the right method for selecting students for undergraduate courses.
Thank you !

Against the Motion
Worthy Chairperson, Secretary and Dear Students
Today I, Saira, stand before you to speak against the motion, 'Entrance tests are the right method for selecting students for undergraduate courses'.
There is no denying the fact that Board results are a fairly good yardstick of students' abilities, as they judge adequately 14 years of language acquisition during schooling of the students. In addition, students are under a lot of stress after studying continuously for one whole year while preparing for the Class XII Board exams. Adding another entrance exam on top of this will put too much pressure on the students.
This is particularly true because usually the format of an entrance test is quite different from that of Board exams, meaning that students will have to prepare separately for it. The JEE-IIT is a good example of this.
Thus, I submit that students wanting to get admission to undergraduate courses should not be asked to appear for an entrance test, but should be considered on the basis of their results in the Board exams. I, therefore, oppose the motion.
Thank you!

Question. 'Academic excellence is the only requirement for a successful career.'' Write a debate either for or against the motion. (120-150 words) 
Answer: Against the Motion
The heavy emphasis on academic performance has changed the educator’s point of view completely. The focus on acquiring skills and information through cramming is greater than the application of principles of learning about a practical life. And the obsession with marks, which are considered to be the sole indicator of one's merit has resulted in such a phenomenon that fundamental tools of education like basic problem-solving, team spirit and justice are ignored completely. What you learn in school are facts, known facts. Your job at school is to accumulate and remember facts, the better you do.

For the Motion
A good education is essential, as it not only teaches us the necessary skills required in the world of work, but also prepares the mind to make sane, healthy and intelligent decisions about any situation that one may encounter on life's journey. If a person is educated and specialised in his field, he can do all the related works and be a creative mind to bring more invention. But simply, academic excellence will not help an individual to grow in life. We need to groom our personality overall because nowadays the market requirement is multipurpose and they want all the possible quality in one candidate who can manage things personally and professionally both. Hence, in my opinion, success requires a combination of academic excellence with other essential life skills.

DEBATE

The purpose of making a debate/ speech is to convey information orally to a large gathering of people strongly and convincingly.

FORMAT Includes the topic (For/Against) SALUTATION, greeting the chief guest and fellow speakers or listeners.

-Begin with "Honourable Chairperson, judges, teachers and my dear friends, I stand before you to express my views for/against the motion on the topic……."

CONTENT: Express your views about the topic .

-Compare, contrast and sum up highlighting your viewpoint.

-use LANGUAGE that is persuasive and powerful using the expressions like-I vehemently disapprove of, I strongly feel, in my opinion, may I ask…..etc.

SPEECH: must reflect CLARITY of thought, accuracy of facts and balanced view.

At the end write "THANK YOU".

Follow the word limit.

Solved example( DEBATE):

BRAIN DRAIN IS NOT ABANE FOR DEVELOPING COUNTY LIKE INDIA (AGAINST)

Honorable Judges, my worthy opponents and dear students,

Today I, Abha of class XII, will speak against the motion," "Brain drain is not bane for a developing country like India."

I would like to draw the attention of my worthy opponents to the fact that India is a developing nation and a lot of money is spent on the education and paid as subsidies to the students of Engineering and Medical but it is ironical that these students after completion of their studies instead of serving their Motherland go away to foreign countries to earn more money. This is indeed a great national loss because the expense incurred on their education comes from the taxes submitted by the common people. The present statistical data reveals the fact the number of students leaving the country and going abroad has nearly doubled. I'm sure and confident that my honorable opponents will do some souls searching!

Those in favour of the motion have highlighted the view that brain drain has brought prestige to the Nation, I strongly disagree, in my opinion brain drain is a great loss of talent of our Nation .Had these talented Engineers Doctors stayed behind the people of our Motherland would have benefitted immensely, the day would not be far when she would once again be called the "Golden Bird".

The drifting away of the intelligent people has left our country poor and benefitted another country. To conclude I would once again firmly say that Brain drain is a bane for a developing country like India.

SOLVED EXAMPLE-SPEECH:

Q1.Write a speech in 150-200 words on the topic, "Discipline shapes the future of a student. "It is to be delivered in the morning assembly. You are Karuna/Karan. 

Respected Principal, teachers, and dear friends,

Today I, Karuna, am here to express my views on, , "Discipline shapes the future of a student."

We are all aware of the fact that Discipline is the key to success. Discipline should be inculcated early in life. If we are disciplined in life we inculcate a sense of duty and obedience. Let me give you an example to prove my point, every day we are assigned homework by our teachers, if we are disciplined we complete the work within the stipulated time we get the appreciation of our teachers and also do well in the examinations.