DEBATE WRITING
A debate is a discussion between sides with different views. Persons speak for and against a particular topic, before making a decision. A topic, problem or a question is raised and speakers for and against speak on it, trying to convince others with their arguments.
Steps in preparing a debate
• Introduction should be very impressive, possibly with a quotation or extract from a poem, etc.
• Give reasons in favour or against the motion
• Support your argument with facts and statistics
• Counter your opponent’s arguments / attack / deny his claims (Rebuttal)
• Conclude with finality, as if what you are saying is the ultimate
Some expressions for use during debate
• I fail to understand....
• I would like to point out....
• .... I am surprised at my opponent’s ignorance.
• .... I wholeheartedly reject the contention.
• .... I totally disagree with the view.
•.... I wish to emphasize.
SAMPLE
You are Prashant Verma, the Cultural Secretary of your school. You have been asked to prepare a debate on the topic, “It is and will always be a man’s world,” for the debating team of your school for participation in an inter-school debate competition. Prepare the speech for and against the motion in 150-200 word.
IT IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE A MAN’S WORLD (For the motion)
Respected Chairperson, Honourable members of the Jury, and my worthy opponents. Today I am here to support the motion “IT IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE A MAN’S WORLD”
I regret to say that men and only men rule the world today. ‘Women’s Liberation’, ‘International Women’s Day’ is just eyewash, and the ugly reality is that despite the struggle and efforts, the condition of women remains the same, even today.
Why go far, our policy-makers are also delaying the Women Reservation Bill in Parliament. Great leaders, who preach equality of genders, are happily divided in their opinion. It is a matter of statistics that there are very few women leaders in political field. A few like Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher and Bandarnaike are mere flashes in the pan. It is believed that women are not cut-out and meant for the dirty game of politics. Economic and business fields also present a scarcity of women. Even famous business magnates still like to leave their business to their sons, rather than daughters. Women are just exceptions in most cases. Women have made their forays in many areas like modeling, advertising, hotel management, etc. but still there is discrimination. Imagine even top actresses are paid much lower than their male counterparts.
Even in fields, where women appear to dominate like fashion shows or beauty pageants, it is men who do the marketing, publicity, management, and make fast bucks. Despite increasing awareness of their rights, education, still we hear cases of dowry deaths, rapes, murders, wife-battering and even sati. A girl child is still unwanted and not easily accepted. There is a strict dress code for them and even a great player like Sania Mirza has to listen to criticism, as far as her dress goes.
So friends, I wish to point out that women are always the sacrificial lambs and have to forego their careers at the altar of motherhood and marriage. Their education is only for their children. So, I wish to emphasize that it is and will always remain a male-dominated society. Women’s emancipation, her talent, her capability will always go unrewarded and unsung.
Thank you.
Against the Motion
Respected Chairperson, Honourable members of the Jury and my worthy opponents.
Today I am here to oppose the motion “IT IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE A MAN’S WORLD” My opponent has made a great case in favour of men but he is forgetting that behind every successful man, there is a woman. Men may appear to wield the power, but it is women who rule and dominate, in their sweet manner. Women are tactful, patience personified and they understand men better than they understand themselves. A woman is a great judge of psychology and really knows how to twist and manipulate men. They pretend to give importance to men, only to please and pamper their ego.
My opponent mentioned a few areas in which women dominate, but I feel that they have toppled all maledomains. Girls are the toppers in almost every class, they have overtaken men in the field of education, advertising, and management. Teaching has become their monopoly. Women like Kalpana Chawla, Ms Kiran Bedi, Nisha Sharma, Medha Patkar and Arundhati Roy can give a complex to any man. Women have become decision-makers in their family, they are economically independent and career-wise, the percentage of women going in for higher education is constantly on the increase. Legislative reforms have strengthened their case and all employers prefer women as employees. Delhi Students Union elections show that it is girls who win with more majorities of votes.
So women have demolished the age-old myth of men’s supremacy. They are more vibrant, dynamic, dedicated, persevering and have stormed all possible male bastions. Hats off to you women!
Thank you
Practice questions
1. You are to take part in a debating contest. Draft your debate for or against the motion-‘We have become slaves to machines’ in about 150 words.
2. As a part of the debate competition in English, the topic given is, “Should Exams be Abolished? Prepare a debate for or against the motion in 150 words. You are Ruchi/Ratan of class X. [C.B.S.E. 2010 (Term I)]
Please click on below link to download CBSE Class 10 English Debate Writing Worksheet
