Debating: presenting your argument

Debating requires the ability to persuasively speak English in public. Crucially, it also develops your ability to respond rapidly to other people’s objections. In this lively class you will cover the theory and practice of debating and you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style.

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Key course information

Dates
25/04/12 - 30/05/12

Day(s)
Wed

Duration
6 weeks

Time
18:30 - 20:30

Fees
Full fee: £102^NC

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
DV020

Availability
This date is full

^NC: No concessionary fees available as there is no government funding for this course.

This course is full

Occasionally places may become available. You can add yourself to the waiting list.

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Course outline

What is the course about?

The course helps you improve your speaking and listening skills in social and work situations by using the principles of a formal ‘parliamentary’ debate. This model for conducting an argument ensures that equal weight is given to all participants, and formalises important guidelines which often remain as ‘unwritten rules’ in other forms of speaking.

We will look, for example, at when it is and is not appropriate to interrupt a fellow speaker, and at how preparation is only effective when tempered with the ability to respond to what other people have said, and to think on the spot. You will often be required to speak in favour of something which you might disagree with, buildling your ability to empathise with others and improving mental agility.

Most importantly, it is great fun; just as the rules of tennis or football make for matches filled with excitement and anticipation, exactly the same is true of debates. It’s also a team activity; you will learn to work closely with fellow students to ensure that you can present a coherent front.

What topics will we cover?

The theory and practice of debating, covering four key areas:
- Reasoning and evidence: the facts and statements you use to put forward your argument, and how you can use logic to link these together.
- Organisation and prioritisation: how to structure what you say to make sure that the most important points are given the most attention and are foregrounded in your speeches.
- Listening and response: parliamentary debating places a great deal of emphasis on listening to what others (both on your team and on the other side) have said and then responding to it, often on the spur of the moment.
- Expression and delivery: the stylistic aspects of how you communicate, with your voice and through body language, play a crucial role in whether or not your carefully constructed message will get through to your listeners and be understood.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

• Think more clearly and more rapidly
• Be more confident about the way you speak and how you express your opinions
• Know what kind of content is needed for a good speech, and how to come up with things to say even if you think you have insufficient expertise on a particular subject
• Know how to structure what you say, and how to adapt that structure at short notice to take account of developments in a fast-moving conversation
• Spot flaws in your own and other people’s arguments, and know how to address them
• Be suitably expressive with your voice and your body while presenting different types of argument
• Have a greater awareness of current affairs and topical issues of debate which the students in the class have in common
• Understand how the skills you have learned are applicable to almost every aspect of your written and oral communication both at work and in your personal life.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Anyone who can speak will find they develop quickly through this course. Everyone is involved in conversations every day of their life; this course seeks to build on that existing innate expertise. Similarly, even the best speakers normally have weaker areas that they need to develop; the wide-ranging syllabus for this course ensures that they are catered for too.

Students for whom English is a second-language should be capable of holding a vigorous conversation with friends or colleagues in English, but complete fluency is not required. Many foreign students with a good standard of English have found this course to be an excellent way of taking their oral skills on to the next level.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course is taught almost entirely through participation in debates of various sizes. The primary emphasis is on practice rather than theory, and a minimum of written handouts are used.
Various games and workshop exercises are used to prepare you for the debates, which are based around the tried-and-tested model of a ‘parliamentary debate’ to ensure that there is a solid structure for all speaking activity and to ensure everyone gets a chance to speak.

You will be required to undertake some research and prepare for debates in forthcoming lessons.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

No.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made. Your progress will be regularly assessed and monitored by your tutor taking into account class work and homework where appropriate. The tutor will record your progress and provide informal, regular feedback throughout the course. At the end of your study programme you will be asked to self-assess your own progress and achievement against the course objectives above. The tutor will endorse your assessment which will be formally recorded on a standard form (the Statement of Learning).

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

You can progress Public Speaking, Persuasive speaking and other related courses
General information and advice on courses at the City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop open daily 11-7 Monday to Friday and Saturday from 10-2 term time. 12-5 non term time. See the programme guide for further details.

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2542

drama@citylit.ac.uk

Drop-in advice During term-time: Monday & Wednesday 12.30 - 13.30 and 17.30 - 18.30 Thursday 17.30 - 18.30 Non term-time Tuesday 12.30 - 13.30 Wednesday 17.30 - 18.30.

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.

Select another date / day / time

Dates	Day(s)	Time	Duration	Fees	Snr	Conc	Code	Availability
25/04/12 to 30/05/12	Wed	18:30 - 20:30	6 weeks	£102	£102	£102	DV020	Full	» Select
26/10/11 to 30/11/11	Wed	18:30 - 20:30	6 weeks	£102	£102	£102	DV019	Finished	» Select
28/10/11 to 02/12/11	Fri	18:30 - 20:30	6 weeks	£102	£102	£102	DV025	Finished	» Select
11/01/12 to 28/03/12	Wed	18:30 - 20:30	12 weeks	£203	£203	£203	DV018	Finished	» Select