A workshop with English and Hindi Department teachers was conducted on 26th February 2024 from 8:00 am to 10:00 am, facilitated by our esteemed founder Principal, Mrs. Jyotsna Brar, also a language expert and a champion of debating world.
Ma’am commenced the workshop with an insightful introduction to the art of debating, highlighting its significance in developing well-rounded public speakers from an early age.
Her important highlights were :· Throw away the technicalities of the Debating Club.
· You don’t have to impress the judges. You have to impress the opponents and audience as their reaction is important. Judges’ assessment is based on the reaction of the audience.
· Don’t work on introduction. Shorten the salutation. Save the time for your arguments.
· Convince the audience with logic and a little bit of emotions.
· Read and research tough content but simplify it.
· Every topic should be treated as a sentence and not as a question.
· Give a controversial topic – Don’t give any proverb.
· Train the children from the beginning.
· Don’t use hyperbolic language, use it for subtle sarcasm.
· Use Cue Cards. First understand what exactly are we arguing / fighting about.
· Debate should be real and grounded. Paraphrasing the opposition is artificial. We know the reality.
· There should be hard opposing line in one point / one sentence.
· Focus on listening technique. Nobody can rebuttal unless they listen.
· First prepare yourself and then train the students.
· Actively teach the students which word should be stressed.
· Read middle pages of the newspaper for genuine matter.
· Street theatre is the best for debaters.
· Focus on proving your point, not yourself.
· AREL method should be considered. ASSERTION, REASONING, EVIDENCE, LINK BACK.
· Saying something loudly and repeatedly means nothing.
· Refer to the specific point.
· Select good frames of reference.
· Create impact through comparison.
· Say no to ‘WHAT’, focus only on ‘HOW’.
· She gave the example of Kavita Antakshri Pratiyogita which sharpens the brain and learning.
Ma’am Brar through her Power Point Presentations delved into the intricacies and nuances of debating highlighting on practicality and reality rather than being loud.
She focussed on art of rebuttal teaching how to respond adeptly to opposing arguments and counterpoints. Ma’am emphasised on honing public speaking right from class I by giving simple examples and discussed pros and cons of many questions put forth by English & Hindi departments. It was an enriching, engaging and insightful session with valuable takeaways.
