Debate
AdvancedDebate.
- Open a debate in three moves: greet → define terms (by abolished we mean…) → preview the case
- Argument formula: point + evidence (a university study shows…)
- Refute the weak point: drilling only improves short-term memory
文體小知識：Structure: define motion, arguments with evidence, rebuttal, conclusion.
§Text Passage
1Good afternoon, adjudicators, teachers and fellow students. Today we debate the motion that homework should be abolished in secondary schools. As the first speaker of the proposition, I believe homework does more harm than good. Before I begin, let me define our terms: by abolished we mean no more compulsory homework after school. Our team will show you why schools should trust students instead of testing their patience.
2First, homework takes away the time that students could spend on sports, family and sleep. Evidence from a university study shows that many Hong Kong teenagers sleep fewer than seven hours a night. Second, homework is not fair: students who live in small flats have no quiet place to work. The opposition may argue that homework improves results, but I must refute this point. Our rebuttal is simple: their own examples show that repeated drilling only improves short-term memory. I concede that a little practice is useful, yet quality matters far more than quantity.
3A good school should teach students how to learn, not how to survive endless worksheets. If we want healthy, curious and creative students, we must give them back their evenings. For these reasons, we strongly support this motion. Thank you for listening, and we look forward to your questions.
§Sentence-by-sentence translation Sentence-by-sentence translation
Good afternoon, adjudicators, teachers and fellow students.
各位評判、老師、同學，午安。
Today we debate the motion that homework should be abolished in secondary schools.
今日我們辯論的議題是：中學應該廢除家課。
As the first speaker of the proposition, I believe homework does more harm than good.
作為正方第一位發言人，我認為家課的害處大於好處。
Before I begin, let me define our terms: by abolished we mean no more compulsory homework after school.
開始之前，請容我先下定義：我們所講的「廢除」，即是放學後不再有強制家課。
Our team will show you why schools should trust students instead of testing their patience.
我們團隊會向大家證明，學校應該信任學生，而不是考驗他們的忍耐力。
First, homework takes away the time that students could spend on sports, family and sleep.
第一，家課剝奪了學生做運動、陪家人同睡覺的時間。
Evidence from a university study shows that many Hong Kong teenagers sleep fewer than seven hours a night.
大學研究的證據顯示，很多香港青少年每晚睡少於七個小時。
Second, homework is not fair: students who live in small flats have no quiet place to work.
第二，家課不公平：住在狹小單位的學生根本沒有一個安靜的地方做功課。
The opposition may argue that homework improves results, but I must refute this point.
反方可能會說家課可以提升成績，但我必須反駁這一點。
Our rebuttal is simple: their own examples show that repeated drilling only improves short-term memory.
我們的反駁很簡單：他們自己的例子顯示，重複操練只是提升短期記憶。
I concede that a little practice is useful, yet quality matters far more than quantity.
我承認少量練習是有用的，但質素比數量重要得多。
A good school should teach students how to learn, not how to survive endless worksheets.
好的學校應該教學生怎樣學習，而不是怎樣應付無盡的工作紙。
If we want healthy, curious and creative students, we must give them back their evenings.
如果想培育健康、好奇、有創意的學生，就要還給他們晚上的時間。
For these reasons, we strongly support this motion.
基於以上理由，我們強烈支持這項議題。
Thank you for listening, and we look forward to your questions.
多謝大家聆聽，期待你們的提問。
1Summary 重點摘要
Debate.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Debate topic.
For the motion.
Against the motion.
Counter-argument.
Support.
Argument.
Prove wrong.
Admit.
3Step by step Steps
- DefineDefine the terms first. Example: Today we debate the motion that homework should be abolished… by abolished we mean no more compulsory homework after school — without a definition the whole debate drifts.
- ArgumentsArgument formula: point + evidence. Example: First, homework takes away time for sports, family and sleep — then quote the evidence: a university study shows many Hong Kong teenagers sleep fewer than seven hours a night.
- RebuttalRebut the point, not the person. Example: The opposition may argue that homework improves results, but I must refute this point: their own examples show repeated drilling only improves short-term memory.
- ConclusionSum up and call for support. Example: A good school should teach students how to learn, not how to survive endless worksheets… For these reasons, we strongly support this motion.
- ConcedingConcede to show fairness: I concede that a little practice is useful, yet quality matters far more than quantity — admit a little, then turn the debate back with yet or but.
- Polite languageDebate language stays calm and polite: Good afternoon, adjudicators… · The opposition may argue… · I must refute… · Thank you for listening — attack arguments, never people.
- Full structureThe whole speech: greet (Good afternoon, adjudicators) → define (by abolished we mean…) → argument one + evidence → argument two + example → rebuttal → concede → conclusion. Memorise the flow.
5Worked example Example
Based on the passage, write the opening speech as the first proposition speaker for the motion: Homework should be abolished in secondary schools.
- Step 1: Greet and define the terms — by abolished we mean no more compulsory homework after school.
- Step 2: Point one + evidence — homework takes away time for sports, family and sleep; a university study shows many HK teenagers sleep fewer than seven hours.
- Step 3: Point two + example — homework is not fair: students in small flats have no quiet place to work.
- Step 4: Refute the other side — their own examples show repeated drilling only improves short-term memory.
- Step 5: Concede, then close — I concede a little practice is useful, yet quality matters far more than quantity.
- Answer: Good afternoon, adjudicators. Today we debate the motion that homework should be abolished in secondary schools. By abolished we mean no more compulsory homework after school. First, homework takes away the time students could spend on sports, family and sleep — a university study shows many Hong Kong teenagers sleep fewer than seven hours a night. Second, homework is not fair: students who live in small flats have no quiet place to work. The opposition may say homework improves results, but their own examples show repeated drilling only improves short-term memory. I concede that a little practice is useful, yet quality matters far more than quantity. For these reasons, we strongly support this motion.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1Debate structure?
Q2How to open?
Q3Key to rebuttal?
Q4What supports a point?
Q5What in conclusion?
Q6Tone?
8Recap Recap
- Open a debate in three moves: greet → define terms (by abolished we mean…) → preview the case
- Argument formula: point + evidence (a university study shows…)
- Refute the weak point: drilling only improves short-term memory
- Concede to show fairness: I concede a little practice is useful, yet…
- Close with a punchline: quality matters far more than quantity