Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[onlineKate]

I want to know the typical words or phrases you use while debating
For example, while emphasising your position or before stating you statement ...etc

Thanks a million
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Kate

[cgage2]

You should probably address this question to someone who is an experienced debater which I am not, but here are my two cents worth:
First of all, address your opponent with respectful terms
"I tend to disagree with my esteemed colleague"
If appropriate, use terms related to "scientific method"
-"I believe that my data supports the hypothesis"
-"My learned colleagues' data does not support the hypothesis"
-"The empirical data that I have presented supports the hypothesis, whereas my respected colleagues' data is based on unsupported evidence"
Of course, don't refute your opponent unless their statements are in fact groundless in your opinion.
-"My respected colleagues' arguements are fraught with inconsistancies and fallicious logic"
Of course, if you are going to debate on more than one occaison, you should become very familier with logical fallacies. This will help you make a monkey out of your opponent. Here is a list of fallacies to study:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fallacies
If you want to hear a lot of fallacies, just listen to any speech by George Bush. (Example: "We have only one choice and that is to attack and annihilate the enemy" -this is the fallacy of presenting only one single alternative)
Good luck.

[cgage2]

Oh. Just one more thing, onlineKate:
Although the word "learned' is the past participle of the verb learn and is pronounced like all other -ed past tense verbs in English, when you refer to a person as "learned" you say learn-ed using two syllables.
Esteemed is pronounced in the normal fashion.

[onlineKate]

thank you a million^O^ that will really help!!
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Kate