1、.1 On Debate.2What is debate ? Debate is a discussion of a particular subject and in the discussion people express different opinions.How to debate ? When you debate , you should first put forward your view about the subject , whether you are in favor of the opinion or opposed to it. In other words,
2、 whether you agree, or disagree with it. .3 And then you will give the reasons why you agree or disagree. So you must present powerful evidences, facts and examples to support your views. Some useful expressions for debate F= Formal Inf= Informal 1. How to ask for an opinion.4 1. How to ask for an o
3、pinion F Inf I was wondering where you stood on the question of X? Whats your position on X? Whats your opinion of X ? What do you think of/ about X? How do you find X? How do you feel about X ? What do you reckon about X? What about X? .5 2. How to give an opinion F InfIt would seem to me that As f
4、ar as I am able to judge, As far as Im concerned,Id like to point out Id just like to say + CLAUSE From my point of view, I think If you want my opinion, Personally, I thinkAs I see it .6 3. How to ask for more detailed information F InfI wonder if you could explain about X in more detail?Could I as
5、k you a little more about X in (rather) more detail?Im afraid Im not quite clear about X.Im afraid Im not quite clear how you DoIm interested in knowing more about X.How (exactly) do you Do?Could you fill me in a bit on X?Can you put me in the picture about X? .7 4. How to interrupt F Inf Id like to
6、 add something here, If I may . I have a point (to make) here. + SENTENCE May I say something here? Can I interrupt(you) for a moment? Sorry to interrupt ,but + CLAUSE Excuse me, but + CLAUSE Wait a minute! Hold on + SENTENCE Hang on.8 5. How to ask for clarification F InfIm afraid Im not quite clea
7、r what you mean by X.Im sorry , I dont understand what you mean by X.Im sorry , but could you explain what you mean by X.What (exactly) do you mean by X.What (exactly) are you trying to say?What (exactly) are you getting at?.9 6. How to give clarification F Inf Well, the point Im trying to make is t
8、hat Well, what Im trying to say is that What I mean is that All Im trying to say is that Well, what Im getting at is that.10 7. How to rephrase your own statement F Inf Thats not quite what I mean Let me put it another way Sorry, let me explain.11 8. How to make generalizations F InfIm inclined (not
9、) to Do I tend (not) to DoIn the vast majority of cases, In most cases,In my opinion,Generally (speaking) , + SENTENCEBy and large,On the Whole,.12 Note that the more informal expressions are appropriate for friendly relationships, and the more formal ones for talking to strangers and people older t
10、han or senior to yourself. .13 9. How to hesitate F Inf um, well , actually, in fact, you see, you know, how shall I put it, Its like this ,you see.14 Note that hesitation is natural pat of using a language. Hesitation devices give you time to think to organize your thoughts and decide how to expres
11、s them.151. How to agree strongly with an opinion I conldnt agree more ! Thats absolutely true ! Absolutely! I take your point! Id go along with you there. Im with you on that. Thats just what I was thinking. Thats exactly what I think.16 Thats a good point. Thats just how I see it. Thats exactly my
12、 opinion. 2. How to half agree with an opinion Yes, perhaps. Well, yes. Mmm, possibly. Yes, in a way. Yes, I agree up to a point.17 Well, youve got a point there. There is something in that, I suppose. I guess you could be right. Yes, I suppose so. Thats worth thinking about. 3. How to disagree poli
13、tely with an opinion? I am not so sure really . Do you think so ? Well, it depends.18 Im not so certain. Well, I dont know. Well, Im not so sure about that. Mmm, Im not really sure youre right. Im inclined to disagree with that. No, I dont think so really.2. How to disagree strongly with an opinion
14、I disagree. I disagree with you entirely. .19 Im afraid I dont agree. Im afraid you are wrong there. I really cant agree. I wouldnt accept that for one minute. You cant really mean that. I wouldnt go along with you there. You cant be so serious. You must be joking.20 Note that you need to be very polite when disagree with someone in English, even someone you know quite well. With someone you know well you can disagree more directly. 5. How to present both sides of an argument one the one hand one the other hand .21 Although its true to say that Its also true to say that It is true but
