This document provides an introduction to debates. It defines a debate as a discussion where people express differing opinions on a topic. Debates can be organized events or informal discussions and they occur everyday in media, protests, government, work, school, and between friends and family. Building an effective debate is likened to building a house, with an opinion forming the foundation, reasons providing support, and evidence reinforcing the reasons. Successful debates involve two opposing opinions on an issue. The document outlines three types of opinions: opinions of value that compare two things, opinions of policy that recommend actions, and opinions of fact that state something as true.

1. INTRODUCTION TO
DEBATE

2. What is a debate?
 Debate: a discussion where people express their
differing opinions about a specific topic.

3. What is a debate?
 Debate: a discussion where people express their
differing opinions about a specific topic.
 can be an organized event
 can be an informal chat

4. Debates occur everyday!
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5. Debates occur everyday!
 Traditional Media (newspapers, radio)
 Online Media (example: Twitter, blogs)
 Activist Demonstrations (Protests)
 Government
 Work
 School
 Family and Friends

6. Debates occur everyday!
 Traditional Media (newspapers, radio)
 Online Media (example: Twitter, blogs)
 Activist Demonstrations (Protests)
 Government Play?
 Work Study?
 School
 Family and Friends
 Even with yourself!
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7. Debate & House Metaphor
 Forming a debate is like building a house
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8. Debate & House Metaphor
An opinion

9. An Opinion
 Opinion: thoughts or ideas about a particular topic

10. An Opinion
 Opinion: thoughts or ideas about a particular topic
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 Example: I think that hiking is more fun that shopping

11. Debate & House Metaphor
An opinion
Reasons

12. Reasons
 Reasons: explain your opinion

13. Reasons
 Reasons: explain your opinion
 Example: I think that hiking is more fun that shopping

14. Reasons
 Reasons: explain your opinion
 Example: I think that hiking is more fun that shopping
1. Hiking is cheaper
2. Hiking is better exercise
3. Hiking can be done almost anywhere (not just in cities)
4. Hiking teaches you something about nature

15. Debate & House Metaphor
An opinion
Reasons

16. Debate & House Metaphor
An opinion
Reasons
Evidence

17. Evidence
 Evidence: provides support for your reasons

18. Evidence
 Evidence: provides support for your reasons
 Example: I think that hiking is more fun that shopping

19. Evidence
 Evidence: provides support for your reasons
 Example: I think that hiking is more fun that shopping
1. Hiking is cheaper
 A study by NDHU showed that students spend 4 times as
much money when they go shopping compared to when
they go hiking (Source: Crystal, 2012).

20. Debate & House Metaphor
An opinion
Reasons
Evidence

21. Different Opinions
 A debate begins when two parties (two people
or two groups) have different opinions about the
same topic.
I think English is the
best subject!
I think Math is the
best subject!

22. Different Opinions
 A debate begins when two parties (two people
or two groups) have different opinions about the
same topic.
I think English is the
best subject!
I think Math is the
best subject!

23. Attack the Other House!
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24. Peace!
 But…before we talk about the attack, let’s take a
closer look at opinions.

25. Your Opinion
 Write one of your opinions on a piece of paper:
Cats are cuter than
dogs.
Agree Disagree

26. Your Opinion
 Write one of your opinions on a piece of paper:
Cats are cuter than
dogs.
Agree Disagree
Examples:
 Hockey is more exciting than baseball.
 Stinky tofu is disgusting!
 The government should give workers more holidays.

27. Your Opinion
 Now…make a paper airplane with your paper!
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28. Types of Opinions
 Opinions of Value:
 state that one thing is better than another.
 Opinions of Policy:
 state that someone (usually a type of authority such
as the government) should do something.
 Opinions of Fact:
 state that something is true, was true or will be
true.

29. Opinions of Value
 X is better than Y
 You are comparing two things
 Examples:
 Taiwanese food is better than Canadian food.
 Listening to the radio is more interesting than
watching TV.

30. Opinions of Policy
 X should do Y
 You are expressing what action you think should
be taken by an authority
 Examples:
 The government of Saudi Arabia should let women
drive.
 NDHU should cancel exams.

31. Opinions of Fact
 X is/was/will be true
 You are stating what you think is a true statement
 Examples:
 In 50 years Chinese and English will be the main
international languages.
 Smoking increases your chance of getting lung
cancer.

32. Types of Opinions
 Opinions of Value:
 state that one thing is better than another.
 Opinions of Policy:
 state that someone (usually a type of authority such
as the government) should do something.
 Opinions of Fact:
 state that something is true, was true or will be
true.