Debating
Take part in debates and discussions: make points, interrupt politely, challenge ideas and keep the floor.
In this lesson you will
- Make and support points in a discussion
- Interrupt and hold the floor politely
- Challenge ideas without being rude
Learn
Making a point: The way I see it, … ; The key issue here is… ; What we need to remember is…
Interrupting politely: Sorry to interrupt, but… ; Can I just come in here? ; If I could just add something… Holding the floor: Let me just finish my point… ; Bear with me for a second…
Challenging: I’m not sure that’s entirely true. ; Is there any evidence for that? ; That’s one way of looking at it, but… ; Surely that depends on…
Moving on / conceding: OK, you’ve got a point there. ; Fair enough, but… ; Let’s look at it from another angle.
Examples
- Sorry to interrupt, but I think we’re missing something.
- I’m not sure that’s entirely true — prices have actually fallen.
- Let me just finish my point, and then you can come in.
- Fair enough, but what about the cost?
Vocabulary
hold the floor
keep speaking in a discussion
come in
join a discussion (spoken)
challenge
question whether something is true
concede
admit someone is right
angle
a way of looking at something
Practice
Polite interruption:
Listening: A radio debate on a four-day week
Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.
Host: Our question today: should companies move to a four-day week? Dana?
Dana: The way I see it, it’s a win-win. Trials show people are just as productive and far less stressed.
Marcus: Sorry to interrupt, but I’m not sure that’s entirely true for every sector. What about hospitals or schools?
Dana: Let me just finish my point. I’m not saying it works everywhere — but for office work the evidence is strong.
Marcus: OK, fair enough. But surely smaller businesses can’t afford to lose a day?
Dana: That’s one way of looking at it. Another is that they’d attract better staff.
1.What is Dana’s view?
2.What does Marcus challenge?
3.How does Dana respond to the interruption?
4.Marcus concedes one point.
Speaking
Debate with a partner or yourself (two minutes): “Social media does more harm than good.” Make points, interrupt once, challenge once and concede once.
Writing
Write a short debate script (120–150 words) between two people on a topic of your choice, using at least six debating phrases.
Lesson quiz
“Bear with me” means…
Review
Key points
- Make points: The way I see it…
- Interrupt: Can I just come in here?
- Challenge: I’m not sure that’s entirely true.
- Concede: Fair enough; you’ve got a point.
What you learned
- ✓ I can take part in debates.
- ✓ I can interrupt and hold the floor.
- ✓ I challenge ideas politely.