writing a debate speech dse

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• Communication Skills
• Public Speaking

How to Write a Debate Speech

Last Updated: April 12, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,495,115 times.

So, you've joined debate, and it's time to write a debate speech. There are some tried and true methods to writing an effective debate speech. If you understand them, and the components that make up a standard debate speech, you will increase your chances of success.

Sample Speeches

Preparing for the Debate Speech

• You may be asked to stand affirmative or negative. In LD (Lincoln-Douglas debate), the first affirmative speech will be at most 7 minutes long, and the first negative speech will be at most 6 minutes. [1] X Research source
• The speakers then present arguments against the earlier affirmative or negative speech that was just read. Speakers must listen carefully and be able to counter arguments. There are two segments involving cross-examination (CX), in which the debaters are allowed to ask questions and openly debate the topic. This is most often called cross-examination, or cx for short, and occurs after the first affirmative speech, and the first negative speech.
• The best thing you can do to better understand LD/PF/Policy debate is practice and research.

• Brainstorm the topic, and research it before you sit down to write. Write out a list of key components for both sides of the issue. If you are on a debate team, do this together. Each member could discuss the key component list, in order to figure out which issues you want to cover in each speech.
• Spend some time at the library or on the Internet using credible sources to research the key reasons that seem strongest. Use books, scholarly journals, credible newspapers, and the like. Be very cautious about unverified information bandied about on the Internet.
• You will also want prepare to deal with the strongest arguments your opponent(s) might make. Ignoring the other side’s best arguments can weaken your rhetorical appeal.

• A basic debate outline should contain six parts: An attention-getter, your stated stance (aff or neg)/ restatement of the resolution, your definitions, your value, criterion, and contentions.
• You can break each of those six parts into subcategories. It’s often a good idea to write the contentions last, focusing on the value and criterion to hold it up first.

Writing the Debate Speech

• You should address the jury or audience with formal salutations. For example, you could say something like, “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.” Debates are very formal in tone.
• Making a good first impression with the judges is very important. This leads judges to assume the debater is persuasive. One technique to write a strong introduction is to contextualize the topic, especially in relation to real world events. [6] X Trustworthy Source American Bar Association Leading professional organization of lawyers and law students Go to source
• Introductions can also focus on prominent examples, quotations, or on a personal anecdote that can help establish a rapport with the audience and judges. Be careful using humor; it involves risks and can lead to awkward silences if not done right. Find a relevant specific that illustrates the underlying point.

• Don’t muddle your position. It needs to be extremely clear whether you affirm or negate the resolution, so don’t hem and haw and contradict yourself. The audience also should not have to wait until the end to find out. Make your stance very clear, and do it early on
• For example, you could say, “my partner and I firmly negate (or affirm) the resolution which states that unilateral military force by the United States is justified to prevent nuclear proliferation.” [7] X Research source

• A good rule of thumb is to back up your position with 3-4 strong points of supporting argumentation. You definitely need to have more than 1 or 2 key points to back up the stance you have taken.
• The body of the speech – the key points and their development – should be, by far, the longest part of the debate speech (perhaps 3 ½ minutes to 30 seconds for an opening and for a conclusion, depending on the rules of the debate you are doing).

• Focus on the causes of the problem, the effects of the problem, expert opinion, examples, statistics, and present a solution. Try to use visual images, not just generic terms – show don’t tell, and illustrate a point with details.
• Appeal to the motives and emotions of the listener with a light touch. Appeal to their sense of fair play, desire to save, to be helpful, to care about community, etc. Ground examples in how people are affected.
• Try using rhetorical questions, which make your opponents consider the validity of their point; irony, which undermines their point and makes you seem more mature and intelligent; simile, which gives them something to relate to; humor, which gets the audience on your side when done well; and repetition, which reinforces your point.

• Aristotle believed that speakers were more persuasive if they combined elements of logos (persuasion by reasoning) with pathos (having an element of emotional appeal) and ethos (an appeal based on the character of the speaker) - for example, that they seem intelligent or of good will.
• There are two ways to use logic – inductive (which makes the case with measurable evidence like statistics or a specific anecdote or example) and deductive (which makes the case by outlining a general principle that is related to the specific topic to infer a conclusion from it - as in, I oppose all wars except those involving imminent self defense; thus, I must oppose this one because it's a war that was not in imminent self defense, and here's why). Or the reverse.
• You should use pathos sparingly. Emotional appeal on its own can be dangerous. Logos - the appeal to reason - should be at the core. However, logical appeal without any pathos at all can render a speech dry and dull. Consider what you are trying to make your audience feel. Explaining how a topic affects real people is one way to use pathos well.

Concluding the Debate Speech

• One strong way to conclude a debate speech is to bookend the conclusion with the opening, by referring back to the introduction and tying the conclusion into the same theme.
• Quotations can be a good way to end a speech. You can also end with a brief summation of the key arguments of the speech to ensure they remain fresh in judges’ minds.

• Use a clear, loud voice, and be careful to watch pacing. You don’t want to speak too loud or too slowly. Remember that confidence goes a long way toward persuasion.

Expert Q&A

Reader Videos

• Never add new points in your speech because you still have time, as you might not present it in the best way. When you are nervous, you might even say an argument in favor of the other side and you don't want that. Thanks Helpful 31 Not Helpful 2
• Never degrade your topic. Thanks Helpful 32 Not Helpful 3
• Don't use all your points in your debate- in an actual debate, it is sometimes useful to have other information to cite if the argument starts going their way Thanks Helpful 29 Not Helpful 3

Tips from our Readers

• You can make a sample opening and closing speech beforehand so you can focus more time on developing your arguments during the actual debate.
• Make sure to include rebuttals in your speech, as they are just as important as your main arguments.
• Practice as much as possible — it will make you more confident and help you maintain eye contact.
• Imagine you're just practicing with a friend rather than performing in front of an audience.
• Take deep breaths before starting to ease nerves.

• Remember, just because you can write a debate speech, it doesn't mean you can say a debate speech effectively. Practice! Thanks Helpful 22 Not Helpful 5

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.learndebating.com/english/DEBATING.pdf
• ↑ https://guides.lib.uw.edu/research/faq/reliable
• ↑ Patrick Muñoz. Voice & Speech Coach. Expert Interview. 12 November 2019.
• ↑ https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/centers/oralcommunication/guides/how-to-outline-a-speech
• ↑ https://www.americanbar.org/groups/litigation/resources/newsletters/trial-evidence/five-tips-engaging-opening-statements/
• ↑ http://www.oxfordsd.org/Page/5582
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/argument/
• ↑ https://www.comm.pitt.edu/persuasive-speaking
• ↑ https://www.comm.pitt.edu/speech-anxiety

About This Article

To write a debate speech, start by researching the topic thoroughly with credible and scholarly sources, and make an outline of your argument including an introduction, thesis argument, key points, and conclusion. Write the thesis argument and develop 3-4 strong points of argumentation. Be sure to clearly state your stance, and utilize expert opinions, statistics, and examples to support your opinion. To finish the speech, write an interesting introduction that incorporates your thesis and a brief conclusion that summarizes your main points. If you want to learn more, such as how to make your debate speech persuasive, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Kaveesha Pathiranahewa

Dec 1, 2021

Payton Ayoardi

Jul 25, 2021

David Williams

Nov 21, 2017

Luyanda Nondalo

Feb 6, 2017

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

Debate Writing

Debate Speech

A Comprehensive Guide to Preparing and Delivering A Debate Speech

Published on: Mar 9, 2022

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

People also read

20+ Thought Provoking Debate Examples: Including Tips

Interesting and Great Debate Topics (2024)

Learn All About Different Types of Debate - Complete Guide

10 Expert Debate Tips for Improving Your Debate Skills

Learn the Art of Debate Writing: Proven Techniques for Convincing Arguments

Share this article

Whether you are a student, a policymaker, or a business leader, the ability to debate effectively can be a game-changer. 

Debate speeches are important for anyone wanting to persuade others. However, writing and delivering a debate speech isn’t easy, especially if you are new to the process. 

This guide explains simple steps on how to write and deliver an excellent debate speech. It covers everything from preparing your arguments to delivering your speech with confidence and conviction.

So dive in to learn!   

On This Page On This Page -->

What is a Debate Speech?

A debate speech is a structured argument on a specific topic that is presented in a formal setting.  

The main purpose of debate speech is to:  

• Express your point of view persuasively and effectively
• Convince the opposition that you are right.
• Change the people’s point of view on a particular topic.

In a debate speech, the speaker presents their argument in a clear, concise, and convincing manner. Debate speeches have a set time limit, and the speaker must use their time effectively to make their case and address counterarguments. 

Preparing for a Debate Speech 

You can only win your debate if you have spent time preparing it well. Follow the steps below to be prepared for your next debate speech.

Understanding the Debate Format 

It's essential to understand the format of the debate in which you want to participate. Different debate formats have specific rules and guidelines that you need to follow to succeed. 

Some popular types of debates include parliamentary, Lincoln-Douglas, and policy debates.

• Parliamentary debate is a format where two teams of two or three members argue for or against a motion. It is presided over by a moderator. In this format, debaters have limited preparation time to gather information and construct their arguments.
• Lincoln-Douglas debate is a one-on-one debate where debaters argue for their positions on a specific topic. This format usually involves a value system and a criterion that the debaters must uphold and defend.
• Policy debate is a format where two teams of two members argue for or against a specific policy proposal. This format requires in-depth research and analysis of the policy and its potential implications.

Selecting a Position

Choose a topic that you are passionate about and that you feel strongly about. Once you have chosen a topic, narrow it down to a specific aspect that you can argue for or against. 

The clearer your position, the easier it will be to research and prepare your arguments.

Need some good debate topic ideas to get started? Check out our list of interesting and engaging debate topics to help you out!

Researching and Gathering Information

Once you have selected your topic, research it thoroughly. Gather as much information as you can from credible sources such as academic journals, news articles, and government reports. 

Take detailed notes, and make sure to record the sources you use so that you can reference them later.

Understanding Both Sides of the Argument 

To write a persuasive debate speech, it is important to understand both sides of the argument. 

Consider the arguments that your opponents might make and anticipate counterarguments. This will help you to strengthen your own arguments and address potential weaknesses in your position.

Organizing Your Arguments 

Once you have gathered all of the information you need, organize your arguments in a clear and logical way. 

Start by outlining the main points you want to make and then add supporting evidence to each point. Make sure that your arguments flow logically and build on each other.

Practicing Your Delivery

Finally, practice your delivery. Read your speech out loud several times to get a feel for how it flows. 

Time yourself to make sure that you can fit all of your arguments into the allotted time. Consider practicing in front of a friend or family member to get feedback on your delivery.

Paper due? Why Suffer? That's our job

How to Present a Debate Speech?

This type of speech requires some essential components. Here are the major components you need to present an effective debate speech. 

1. Catchy Introduction

The first important step is starting the debate with a compelling introduction. You can begin with a question, a quote, or a statistic related to the topic.

Moreover, your introduction should state your stance on the topic and provides a preview of your arguments. 

2. State the Problem & Define Key Terms

Define key terms in your speech that are important to your argument. This helps to ensure that your audience understands the meaning of the words you use.

3. Present Your Arguments

Present your arguments in a clear and logical order. Start with your strongest argument and provide evidence to support it. Then, move on to the weaker arguments and provide evidence for each one.

A good argument often follows the PEE structure, which means “Point, Evidence, Explanation (PEE)”.

• Point or Reason: This is where you state your main idea or argument, providing a concise and clear statement of your position. The point should be specific, focused, and relevant to the topic at hand. It serves as the foundation for your argument
• Evidence: Here, you provide supporting evidence to bolster your argument. This can take the form of examples, statistics, or any other relevant information that helps illustrate your point. 
• Explanation: In this part, you elaborate on how the evidence you provided supports your point. This is where you explain the relationship between your point and the evidence, highlighting its significance

4. Rebuttals 

Address counterarguments by acknowledging the opposing viewpoints and refuting them with evidence. This is called a rebuttal. 

It shows that you have considered both sides of the argument and strengthens your own position. Addressing counterarguments through rebuttals is a vital aspect of constructing a well-rounded and persuasive argument. 

Rebuttals involve presenting evidence that challenges the opposing counter-arguments and weakens their validity. Additionally, it is crucial to explain the flaws or fallacies in the opposing arguments during the process of rebuttal.

5. Conclusion

End your speech with a strong conclusion that summarizes your arguments and restates your stance on the topic. You can also end with a call to action, encouraging your audience to take action based on your argument.

Tips for Presenting a Debate Speech Effectively

The above steps will help you prepare and present an acceptable speech, but you can improve it even more with the tips below.

• Use Clear and Concise Language

Speak clearly and use language that is easy to understand. Avoid using jargon or complex words that might confuse your audience.

• Emphasize Key Points

Highlight the key points of your argument by using vocal inflection and tone. Emphasize important words or phrases to help your audience remember your key arguments.

• Use Body Language and Gestures

Body language and gestures can help to reinforce your arguments and make your speech more engaging. Use hand gestures to emphasize key points, and vary your posture and movement to keep your audience interested.

• Maintain Eye Contact

Maintain eye contact with your audience throughout your speech. This will help to establish a connection with them and make them feel more engaged with your argument.

• Use Vocal Variety and Tone

Vary your vocal tone and pace to add interest and emphasis to your speech. Use pauses and changes in pace to emphasize important points, and vary your volume to make your arguments more impactful.

• Use the Debate Speech Checklist

Here is a checklist that can help you evaluate your debate.

• Does your speech cover your opinion about the topic?
• Does your speech start with a catchy hook?
• Does your speech cover all the main points?
• Does your speech provide sufficient counterarguments?
• Does your speech contain enough evidence?
• Does your speech provide a call to action to the conclusion?

Debate Speech Examples 

Here are some examples to help you prepare and present your debate speech better. 

Debate Speech Structure

Debate Speech Template

Debate Speech Sample

Writing and delivering a successful debate speech requires careful planning, research, and effective communication skills. 

By following the steps and tips provided above, you can persuade your audience effectively and make a lasting impact. Remember to practice, rehearse, and be confident in your abilities. 

Still need expert help in writing your speech? We’ve got you covered! 

CollegeEssay.org is here to assist you. We are an expert speech writing service with a team of experienced professionals. 

Our AI essay writing tools can help you at every step of the speech-writing process, from selecting a topic to gathering evidence.

We provide customized, high-quality writing services at an affordable price. You can also take advantage from our AI essay writer tool to improve your writing skills.

So why wait? Contact our professional essay writing service and impress your audience with an amazing speech!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 4 types of debate.

The four main types of debate are: 

• Parliamentary Debate 
• Lincoln-Douglas Debate 
• Cross-Examination Debate 
• Academic Debate 

What are the 2 sides of a debate called?

The opposition and proposition are the two sides of a debate. 

Caleb S. (Literature, Marketing)

Caleb S. has extensive experience in writing and holds a Masters from Oxford University. He takes great satisfaction in helping students exceed their academic goals. Caleb always puts the needs of his clients first and is dedicated to providing quality service.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Keep reading

Legal & Policies

• Privacy Policy
• Cookies Policy
• Terms of Use
• Refunds & Cancellations
• Our Writers
• Success Stories
• Our Guarantees
• Affiliate Program
• Referral Program
• AI Essay Writer

Disclaimer: All client orders are completed by our team of highly qualified human writers. The essays and papers provided by us are not to be used for submission but rather as learning models only.

Steps to Success » DSE Essentials

Writing Tips for Top Marks in DSE English (Paper 2)

By: Willow Hewitt 2021-01-13

At i-Learner, we are fortunate to teach a wide range of students. This helps us develop skills and tips that can help failing students get into university and set top students on the path to starred marks.

I am passionate about writing (I oversee i-Learner’s publications , and I write novels in my spare time), so paper 2 is my favourite one to work on. It’s also one that strong students can fail to reach their potential in as many schools don’t have time to mark and give feedback on a wide range of writing samples.

Over my years at i-Learner, I’ve worked with a number of these top students to help them achieve the best grade possible. Read on to discover some key skills needed to reach the top marks in HKDSE English Paper 2:

Make it Real

Multiple sections of the mark scheme for this paper make it clear that your writing must feel authentic. Examiners stress that your content should be engaging and show audience awareness and that the register, tone, style and organisation should be appropriate to the text type. However, most students create something that sounds like it’s being written in an exam (which it is, but it shouldn’t sound that way).

Good-mark example (personal letter): I hope you’re doing well. From your letter, it sounds like things at your job are difficult at the moment, but I’m sure they’ll improve soon.

Great-mark example (personal letter): Knowing you, I’m sure you’re kicking yourself about the situation at work. But, just like they always did when we were at school, things will turn around soon.

Follow the Conventions of the Task

As mentioned in the previous point, your writing needs to feel authentic. However, even students who think they understand this can still fall into the trap of structuring everything like an essay. The paragraph structures in essays are great – topic sentences, supporting details and transition phrases are fantastic. But they don’t belong in all types of writing.

Other types of writing can be similar to an essay in places because they’re performing the same function. For example, a debate speech is trying to argue a point, so it will use evidence in each paragraph, and a report needs to categorise things into clear sections, so it will have topic sentences. However, if all of your writing looks like an essay, you’re not thinking about it carefully enough.

Look at examples of different writing types and make sure you know how they’re different to essays. Organisation makes up a significant proportion of your paper 2 grade, so it’s important to get right. The story-writing task is the clearest example of one in which you need to know what is expected in terms of organisation. To get a top grade in this task, you need to include some of the following structural conventions: descriptive paragraphs, flashbacks, side-plots, rising and falling action, dialogue, starting in media res, paragraph lengths that match the pacing, and foreshadowing. Writing your ideas in a clear, chronological order will earn poor marks in this task.

Poorly organised example (story): Every year when he was growing up, Chris’s birthday was ignored. On his sixteenth birthday, it was no different. Walking home at the end of a damp autumn day, he kicked an empty can along the street and cursed himself for getting his hopes up. He shoved his front door open with his shoulder and saw a tuna sandwich on the table. Next to it was a note from his mum saying she’d be back late. He trudged to his bedroom.

Well organised example (story): Chris hadn’t expected much for his birthday, but he’d thought at least one person would have remembered. Walking home at the end of a damp autumn day, after failing yet another maths test and sitting through the world’s longest detention, he kicked an empty can along the street and cursed himself for getting his hopes up. Nobody had ever made a big deal out of his birthday, so why should his sixteenth have been any different? But what Chris didn’t know was that turning sixteen would change everything. As he shoved his front door open with his shoulder, it seemed like any other day. And just like always, there was a soggy tuna sandwich on the table next to a note from his mum saying she’d be back late.

‘Of course,’ he muttered, before trudging into his bedroom.

Ignore your First Ideas

Examiners read answers to the same questions over and over again. You will impress them significantly if you can present original ideas or support your points with unusual details. Your ideas must be relevant to the question, but this shouldn’t make you scared to include interesting concepts just because they’re not the most obvious. This paper also awards marks for supporting your points well, so as long as you can explain your ideas and make it clear that they are relevant, you should feel confident enough to include them.

Good-mark example (proposal): This service trip will teach students to appreciate their own lives and will help the needy members of our community.

Great-mark example (proposal): This service trip will not only make students aware of their obligations as members of a community, but it will also teach the transferable skills of teamwork, preparation and organisation, which will improve their work at school and make them more employable in future.

Focus on Variety

Two significant elements of the mark scheme (content and language) highlight the importance of variety in your writing. You need a wide range of ideas, vocabulary and grammar to do well in this paper. Strong students rarely think about this – they assume that these things will come out naturally as they write. However, we all have certain habits in our writing, and we tend to repeat phrases and grammatical structures that feel comfortable to us.

In order to ensure your writing has enough variety, it’s important to plan before you start. This can be time consuming at first, but the more you practise, the faster you get.

Unvaried language (article): Taking care of our environment is the most important aspect of preparing for the future. Many say that taking care of our environment is difficult and not the most important problem faced nowadays. However, the environment is important for our future, and the human race may not survive for many more years unless taking care of it becomes a priority.

Varied language (article): Taking care of our environment is the most essential aspect of preparing for the future. Many complain that this task is difficult and not the most significant problem faced nowadays. However, the natural world is vital to our continued existence, and the human race may not survive unless its care becomes our priority.

Know what a Good Answer Is

My final tip is to make sure you know what a top answer looks like. Read past paper answers along with examiners’ comments on the HKEAA website. Here are the papers from 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , or you can look at this list of core subject papers for even more options. Not only do these help you understand what makes a good answer, but you can also see the work strong students do to pull up their grades. For example, in the 2018 exemplar part 1, Task A was a letter to school parents about an upcoming trip. The student who wrote this exemplar edited their writing to improve it in the following ways:

First draft (formal letter): Before I go into the purpose of the trip, I will first give the necessary details.

Second draft (formal letter): Before I delve into the purpose of the trip, I will first provide the necessary details.

The changes to the words in bold not only demonstrate a greater vocabulary, but they also show a clear awareness of the letter’s audience. These are the sorts of changes that move students up to top grade bands.

For more tips on the DSE writing paper, take a look at Miss Holly’s article on common mistakes to avoid . You can also get in-depth feedback on your writing by joining our DSE English courses at our tutorial centres and online.

Debate Writing

Debate Speech

Debate Speech - Ultimate Writing Guide for Students

People also read

Debate Writing - A Comprehensive Writing Guide

Interesting Debate Topics and Ideas for Students

Types of Debate - A Complete Overview & Examples

Free Debate Examples for All Academic Levels

Best Debate Tips for Students

Advanced Debating Techniques for Students

Struggling to compose an impactful debate speech that captivates your audience and secures a win? 

You're not alone. Crafting a persuasive and well-structured debate speech is a challenge faced by numerous students. The process of articulating your thoughts, organizing arguments can be challenging.

However, fear not! This blog post is your comprehensive guide, presenting a step-by-step approach to empower you in constructing a debate speech. We’ve included examples and tips to make sure your speech captures attention and ensures a compelling and victorious performance.

So, keep reading.

• 1. What Is A Debate Speech?
• 2. How To Prepare For Debate Speech?
• 3. Debate Speech Examples for Students
• 4. Tips for an Effective Debate Speech
• 5. Debate Speech Topics

What Is A Debate Speech?

A debate speech is a formal presentation where you argue for or against a specific topic. 

It involves structured arguments presented in different sections, aiming to persuade the audience with facts and convincing points. It's a way of discussing and trying to show why your side is the right one on a particular subject.

Key Elements of A Debate Speech

A debate typically includes several essential elements to effectively communicate your position and persuade the audience. These elements form the building blocks of a strong debate speech:

• Opening Statements: These kick off the debate, presenting the main arguments for your side or against the motion. It sets the tone for the discussion.
• Rebuttals: In this stage, you respond to the arguments made by the opposing side, highlighting weaknesses or presenting counterpoints.
• Summary: Towards the end of the debate, a summary is provided to reinforce your main arguments and explain why your perspective is stronger. This section aims to leave a lasting impression on the audience.
• Use of Evidence: Supporting your arguments with evidence, facts, and examples strengthens your position and makes your speech more convincing.
• Logical Reasoning: Presenting arguments in a clear, logical sequence enhances the coherence and persuasiveness of your speech.
• Rhetorical Appeal: Adding appeals like ethos, pathos and logos to your speech can engage the audience, making your points more relatable and impactful.

How To Prepare For Debate Speech?

Creating a compelling debate speech requires a methodical approach that ensures a clear, convincing, and organized presentation. Let's delve into the detailed steps for an effective preparation:

Choosing a Position

Start by selecting a clear stance or position regarding the debate topic. Decide whether you are arguing for or against the motion. Understanding and committing to your position forms the foundation of your speech.

Conducting Thorough Research

Gathering information for your debate speech is really important. Look at different sources like books, reliable websites, and experts' ideas. 

Find facts, numbers, and real stories that support what you want to say. It's key to use strong and trusted information that backs up your side of the argument. 

When you collect different types of information, it makes your speech stronger and more convincing. This way, you'll be well-prepared to explain your ideas during the debate.

Structure The Key Points

After research and collecting points, organize your main arguments in a clear and logical manner to effectively convey your position in the debate. Set sufficient time to each key point to ensure they're adequately developed and presented. 

You can do this by following a debate format. Here is a standard debate speech format for a 20-15 minutes long debate:

How to Start a Debate Speech

Crafting a compelling opening for your speech involves capturing the audience's attention while introducing key points of discussion. 

You can achieve this by using attention-grabbing techniques such as sharing an eye-opening fact, a powerful quote, or a personal anecdote related to the topic. 

Additionally, it's beneficial to briefly outline the key areas of discussion that you'll cover in your speech. By providing a sneak peek of the main points, you offer the audience a roadmap of what's to come. 

This not only piques the audience's interest but also helps them anticipate and follow the structure of your speech.

Structure Your Arguments

Structuring arguments in the debate speech means organizing your ideas in a way that makes sense to others. 

A well-structured argument often uses the P-E-E format, which stands for Point, Evidence, Explanation (P-E-E):

• Point or Reason: Begin by stating your main argument or reason. This is the central idea you want to convey in support of your position.
• Evidence: Provide evidence, facts, or examples that support your point. This evidence should be reliable and back up what you're saying.
• Explanation: Explain how your evidence supports your point. Make it clear to your audience why this evidence is important and how it links to your argument.

This structure helps make your arguments more persuasive and clear. It enables you to present your points effectively, support them with evidence, and explain why that evidence matters in the context of your argument.

Address Counterarguments (Rebuttals)

Addressing counterarguments involves anticipating the opposing viewpoints and crafting responses, known as rebuttals , within your speech. A rebuttal is a persuasive counter-argument that challenges or opposes the points raised by the other side.

By thinking ahead and having strong responses, you showcase a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. 

This approach makes your argument stronger and shows your skill in defending your position, boosting your speech's credibility.

How to End a Debate Speech

Concluding your debate speech effectively is as important as starting it strong. Here are two impactful ways to conclude your speech:

• Summarize Key Points with a Call to Action Example: "In conclusion, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the idea that [your stance on the topic]. As we leave here today, let's not merely acknowledge the importance of [debate topic] but commit to [call to action], ensuring a brighter future for all."
• End with a Powerful Quote or Statement Example: "As [relevant figure] once wisely said, '[insert impactful quote].' Let these words guide us in our understanding of [debate topic]. Together, we can [highlight the desired outcome or change]."

Review And Practice

The last step is to review and practice a lot. Read through your speech to make sure it all makes sense and fits the time limit. 

Practice how you talk, how fast or slow, and how you use your body while speaking. Also, be ready to answer questions or handle different arguments. 

Do a few final practice rounds to feel more confident and comfortable. This way, you'll be well-prepared and ready to deliver a strong debate speech.

Debate Speech Examples for Students

For students, understanding how to structure and present a debate speech is crucial. Here are some debate speech samples to help you grasp the basics of debating:

First Speaker Debate Speech Example

2nd Speaker Debate Speech Example

3rd Speaker Debate Speech Example

Short Example Of Debate Speech

Debate Speech Structure

Examples can serve as a great starting point. Check out more expertly crafted debate examples for inspiration!

Tips for an Effective Debate Speech

Crafting a persuasive and impactful debate speech requires careful consideration and strategic planning. Here are key tips to enhance the effectiveness of your presentation:

• Tailor language to match the audience's demographics and interests.
• Strengthen arguments with credible sources and diverse perspectives.
• Organize with a clear introduction, well-developed body, and strong conclusion for a logical flow.
• Capture attention with a compelling quote, question, or anecdote.
• Support arguments with relevant statistics, examples, and real-world scenarios.
• Anticipate opposing viewpoints and incorporate strong rebuttals.
• Clearly articulate and repeat key ideas to reinforce your stance.
• Maintain a dynamic and engaging delivery by varying tone and pace.
• Pay attention to body language, eye contact, and gestures.
• Allocate time wisely for each speech segment to ensure a well-paced presentation.
• Be prepared to adapt to unexpected changes during the debate.
• Practice multiple times to enhance clarity, emphasis, and pacing, boosting confidence.

Need to polish your debate? Have a look at this in-depth blog on debate techniques and get effective tips!

Debate Speech Topics

Here are some unique topic ideas for you to write a debate on.

• Credit cards are more harmful than debit cards.
• We are becoming too dependent on technology.
• Marriage is an outdated concept.
• Homework is necessary with regard to the learning process.
• Being a college graduate in the United States is necessary for a successful career.
• It is a good idea to have laptops in classrooms.
• Facebook is a better social platform than Twitter.
• Cell phones can be used as educational tools.
• Junk food must be banned in high schools and colleges.
• The Prime Minister of any state enjoys more power than the president.

Can’t pick a topic? Check out this extensive blog with multiple debate topics and get unique ideas!

You are now better equipped to confidently prepare and deliver your debate speech.

However, if public speaking isn’t your forte or it feels overwhelming, our professional essay writing service is here to help. 

Simply buy speech from our expert writers and receive a persuasive and effective piece of writing. Plus, with our satisfaction guarantee, you can get your speech revised as many times as you want. 

So, order now from our essay writing service and let us help you in delivering a winning speech.

Write Essay Within 60 Seconds!

Cathy has been been working as an author on our platform for over five years now. She has a Masters degree in mass communication and is well-versed in the art of writing. Cathy is a professional who takes her work seriously and is widely appreciated by clients for her excellent writing skills.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Keep reading

• Students' Achievements
• Private Lessons
• _• Practical English Phonetics and Phonology for Cantonese Speakers
• Editing and Proofreading Services
• Learning Resources
• _• HKDSE English Language Exam Preparation
• _• IELTS Writing Practice Tests
• _• IELTS Speaking Practice Tests
• _• Facebook
• _• Books
• About Mastering Grammar

Advertisement

Complete collection of hkdse english language paper 2 writing topics (2012 – 2023).

For question 1, write about 200 words.

1. You are a famous news reporter for Hong Kong News . Your old secondary school has asked you to write a feature article about yourself for the next edition of the school magazine. Use the following three headings to write the article. Add one heading of your own.

• The best part of my job
• The biggest challenge I have ever faced in my job
• My school days 

For questions 2 – 9, choose one question and write about 400 words.

2. Learning English through Sports Communication (DSE 2012)

You have been following an online debate in Health and Fitness eMag about the value of doing virtual sports (such as those played on a Wii) versus real sports. Write your view on the topic and post it on the online forum.

3. Learning English through Drama (DSE 2012)

You have been surfing a website on the use of drama techniques in education. You have seen the following topic on an online forum and are now writing your response .

Many teachers incorporate drama into their lessons as they feel it has various educational benefits. However, some parents are against this as they feel that learning cannot take place through drama. What is your opinion? Please share your experience of learning through drama with us!

4. Learning English through Poems and Songs (DSE 2012)

You are the lead singer in a band. Last week, you held your first performance at a music festival in Victoria Park. Write on your blog describing the performance, including how you felt, the atmosphere and the things you could have done better.

5. Learning English through Debating (DSE 2012)

You are trying to recruit more people to join the school debating club. Write a speech to give at the next school assembly explaining the activities the debating club organises, the benefits of being in the club and also the importance in life of being a good debater.

6. Learning English through Popular Culture (DSE 2012)

The human desire to look attractive is universal and because of this, cosmetic surgery is now a multi-million dollar industry. Write a letter to the editor of the Hong Kong Express about the obsession with physical beauty.

7. Learning English through Short Stories (DSE 2012)

Your creative writing teacher has given your class the following task and she would like you to use it to write a short story. The stories will be displayed in school during Creativity in Learning Week .

You were walking by the Peninsula Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui when you spotted your brother driving an expensive sports car. The last time you spoke to him, he was looking for a job.

Write a story about how you found out the truth.

8. Learning English through Workplace Communication (DSE 2012)

You are an intern at Hong Kong Correctional Services. The government has launched a campaign called Second Chance to encourage employers to recruit reformed criminals or drug addicts. Write a letter to all Hong Kong businesses outlining the new project, explaining the benefits and persuading them to join the scheme.

9. Learning English through Social Issues (DSE 2012)

Your school magazine is going to include a special feature on mental health. Recently, one of your friends was suffering from depression. Write an article for the school magazine about your friend's depression and how he/she overcame it. Give advice to others on how to help fight depression.

For question 1, write about 100 words for each photo.

1. You are taking part in a photo exhibition called 'My Memories'. As part of the photo exhibition, you have presented two photos. Now you need to give a title to each and a brief explanation of why these photos are meaningful to you.

2. Learning English through Sports Communication (DSE 2013)

You have been asked by Ms Chan, the teacher in charge of Campus TV, to produce a 30-minute programme about a local Hong Kong sporting event. You need to write an email to Ms Chan. In this email, suggest a sporting event, explain what would be included in the programme and outline how you will make the programme interesting to your schoolmates.

3. Learning English through Drama (DSE 2013)

You are reading Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare for drama class. In the play, Brutus betrayed his best friend, Julius Caesar, for the good of the country. Your homework is to write a diary entry about a situation when you betrayed your best friend.

4. Learning English through Social Issues (DSE 2013)

Many people say that private school bus service operators do not follow proper safety procedures when dealing with young children and they argue that this may pose a danger. Write a letter to the Bus Operators Association of Hong Kong to express your concerns and give three recommendations for how private school bus services can be improved.

5. Learning English through Debating (DSE 2013)

Recently you have heard several people making complaints which you thought were unreasonable. Write a letter to the editor of the Hong Kong Post about this. In your letter, describe the situation which some people complained about, outline the point of view of the complainants, and indicate why you think those people are unreasonable.

6. Learning English through Workplace Communication (DSE 2013)

You are a human resources assistant. Your boss has observed that many people are leaving the office very late. He has asked you to write an article for the company newsletter describing the situation and discussing the negative effects . You have also been asked to give two suggestions to improve the situation. Provide a suitable title for your article.

7. Learning English through Popular Culture (DSE 2013)

Asian singers and movie stars are gaining popularity all over the world and are no longer appealing only to Asian audiences. Write an article for your school newspaper explaining why Asian stars are gaining popularity in Western countries. Give a title to your article.

8. Learning English through Poems and Songs (DSE 2013)

You are the President of the Students' Union. You are giving a speech to the graduating classes. The inspiration for the speech comes from the following popular song about how time can slip away if you don't make good use of it.

Write your speech.

9. Learning English through Short Stories (DSE 2013)

You are entering the 'Detective Story Competition' and have been given the following situation:

Write the story.

1. The Local History Newsletter is a newsletter about the history of Hong Kong. Every month, it prints short articles about special places in Hong Kong. You have been asked to write an article about an old village called Lucky Village. Write your article using the three headings provided. You can use the headings in any order.

• Life in Lucky Village 40 years ago
• An event that changed Lucky Village
• What Lucky Village is famous for

2. Learning English through Sports Communication (DSE 2014)

A local fitness centre is being renovated. As the chairperson of your school's Sports Club, write a letter to ask the fitness centre to donate some of their old equipment to your school. In your letter, describe how the donation could benefit your school and the fitness centre.

3. Learning English through Drama (DSE 2014)

Your school has received a complaint from City Hall about the poor behaviour of a group of your Drama Club members who attended a drama performance last week. You are the chairperson of your school's Drama Club and you have been asked by your teacher to write an email to your Club members regarding the complaint. Write the email to your Club members.

4. Learning English through Social Issues (DSE 2014)

Some people believe that filming movies in the city centre should not be allowed. Others support it. Write a letter to the editor of the Hong Kong Daily giving your opinions. Provide three reasons to support your point of view.

5. Learning English through Debating (DSE 2014)

Currently, only a small number of students in your school have access to school lockers. As the chairperson of the Student Union of your school, you have collected the views of students from different classes on this issue. Write a letter to Ms Lee, your school principal , to persuade her to change the policy on lockers.

6. Learning English through Workplace Communication (DSE 2014)

The Hong Kong Daily is asking students to submit an article about their summer job experiences. You were employed as a costumed character performer in one of the local theme parks last summer. In your article, write about your typical working day, and the good things and bad things about your job. Write the article.

7. Learning English through Popular Culture (DSE 2014)

You recently attended a stand-up comedy show and you were impressed by the performance. Write an article for your school magazine describing the show, discussing the challenges such performers might face and how students at school can benefit from watching such a performance.

8. Learning English through Poems and Songs (DSE 2014)

You took part in the Hong Kong Schools Poetry Festival. You have been asked by your teacher to write an article for your school magazine about how you prepared for the competition and what you learned from this experience.

9. Learning English through Short Stories (DSE 2014)

You are taking a creative writing workshop and you have to submit the following assignment:

Imagine you are a university student living in a student hall. Your roommate has suddenly decided to leave. Write a short story describing the events that led up to your roommate's sudden departure.

1. A recent article in the Young Post suggested that an 8:00 am start to the school day makes students feel tired and sleepy. Write to the editor of the Young Post expressing your views on the following :

• why students feel tired; and
• whether or not a 9:00 am start will solve the problem.

2. Learning English through Sports Communication (DSE 2015)

A number of your classmates have expressed their disappointment about physical education (PE) lessons at school, saying that the lessons are not interesting. As the chairperson of the Class Association, you have decided to reflect your classmates' opinions about this to your principal, Ms Chan.

Write a letter to Ms Chan explaining why your classmates are unhappy about existing PE lessons. You should then suggest two new activities that could be introduced in future PE lessons and explain why students would prefer such activities.

3. Learning English through Drama (DSE 2015)

The Hong Kong Drama Association is planning to organise a drama competition for secondary school students. The theme is 'You are never too old to live your dreams'. Students are invited to submit stories. The winning story will later be turned into a play by the Association. Your story should be about the elderly realising their dreams.

Write your story.

4. Learning English through Social Issues (DSE 2015)

Many parents in Hong Kong are sending their children to other countries to complete their schooling. Write an article for your school magazine examining two reasons for this phenomenon. You should also discuss the impact of this on local schools and on children who leave to study overseas.

5. Learning English through Debating (DSE 2015)

Many parts of Hong Kong's harbour front are still undeveloped. Some suggest using these areas for housing and commercial use, while others argue that such areas should be left as open space for public use. Write to the editor of the Hong Kong Daily stating your opinion either for or against leaving these areas open for public use. Justify your point of view with three reasons.

6. Learning English through Workplace Communication (DSE 2015)

You are a summer intern working in Hong Kong Mobile's customer services department. Your job is to handle complaints about your company's products and services. As part of your duties, you are required to inform your manager about complaints received and outline possible solutions. Write an email to Jackie Lee, the manager of the customer services department, summarising details of a recent complaint and suggesting three possible actions that could be taken to deal with this complaint.

7. Learning English through Popular Culture (DSE 2015)

You are working on a project entitled 'Cinemas in Hong Kong' for the Learning English through Popular Culture module and have found that fewer people go to cinemas than before. Write a report to explain why this is happening and to suggest what could be done to increase the number of moviegoers. Give reasons to support your suggestions.

8. Learning English through Poems and Songs (DSE 2015)

The Hong Kong Central Library is holding a language arts festival during the summer break to enhance students' interest in learning English. Secondary schools have been asked to submit their suggestions for activities at the festival.

As the chairperson of the school's Poetry Club, your teacher has asked you to write a letter to the Central Library suggesting two interesting activities. You should also explain how these activities would increase students' interest in learning English.

9. Learning English through Short Stories (DSE 2015)

The Reading Club at your school is planning to hold a reading week to promote students' interest in reading and to improve their English. One planned event is a 'Meet the Author' evening, when students get to meet a famous author.

As the chairperson of the Club, you have been asked to choose one author to invite for the event. Write an email to Ms Li, the English teacher in charge of the Reading Club, mentioning your choice of author. Explain why you have selected that author, and suggest activities the author can lead or help with.

1. You are the President of the Students' Union at your school. You are preparing a speech to welcome new students on the first day of school. In order to help new students achieve success and have an enjoyable school life, you want to talk about the following in your speech:

• importance of following school rules; and
• importance of interpersonal relationships.

The first part of the speech has been written for you. Finish the speech.

Good morning Principal, teachers and fellow students,

On behalf of the Students' Union, I'd like to welcome all of you to our school. I'm sure we all want to achieve success and have an enjoyable school life, so this morning I'd like to give you some advice .

2. Learning English through Sports Communication (DSE 2016)

Because of the lack of sports facilities, some people in your community have suggested that schools should allow the public to use their sports facilities after school hours.

Write a letter to the editor of the Hong Kong Daily stating your opinion. Support your opinion with three reasons.

3. Learning English through Workplace Communication (DSE 2016)

Many Hong Kong graduates complain about the lack of employment opportunities in the city. It has been suggested that graduates who fail to find a job in Hong Kong could look for opportunities in other cities in Asia. Do you support this suggestion?

Write an article for your school magazine expressing your views. Give three reasons to support your views. Provide an appropriate title for your article.

4. Learning English through Debating (DSE 2016)

It has recently been reported that some parents in Asian countries are installing apps on their children's mobile phones that monitor their activities to ensure that they use these devices responsibly.

Write a letter to the Young Post stating whether you agree with these parents' actions or not. Justify your position with three reasons.

5. Learning English through Social Issues (DSE 2016)

The Hong Kong Daily is holding an essay competition for secondary school students on the theme 'Hong Kong's Disappearing Street Life'. The aim is to promote youth awareness of the need to preserve unique aspects of Hong Kong culture. Entries must focus on one aspect of local street life or culture that is fast disappearing and suggest why it is worth preserving.

Write your essay.

6. Learning English through Short Stories (DSE 2016)

One of the planned activities for the Creative Writing Week at your school is a short story writing competition. The theme for this year's competition is 'Revenge is Sweet'.

7. Learning English through Popular Culture (DSE 2016)

The Hong Kong Youth Association is organising a Youth Festival to showcase popular youth trends in Hong Kong. Write a proposal for the Festival suggesting one or two trends popular with young people. You should explain how you would present these trends at the festival and justify the way you plan to present your ideas.

8. Learning English through Poems and Songs (DSE 2016)

A famous songwriter once said, 'Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power'.

How important is it for us to acknowledge the challenges we face and find ways to cope with them? Write an essay explaining your opinion with relevant examples from your personal experience.

9. Learning English through Drama (DSE 2016)

As a Form Six student, you are considering educational opportunities after your HKDSE. One option you have selected is the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, as you want to take up an acting career. However, your parents would like you to pursue an academic subject at another institution.

As the deadline for submitting the application is approaching, write an email to your parents, who are now on an overseas trip, to convince them to support your choice.

1. You are the chairperson of the Social Service Club in your school. The school would like to develop closer links with the community. Write a letter to your principal, Ms Lee, proposing a new community project that the school can carry out with a home for the elderly in your district.

In your letter, persuade your principal to accept your project by

(i) describing one activity that could be carried out, and (ii) identifying the benefits for the elderly home.

Sign your letter Chris Wong.

2. Learning English through Poems and Songs (DSE 2017)

You have just heard this song about opportunities.

Look If you had One shot Or one opportunity To seize everything you ever wanted In one moment Would you capture it Or just let it slip?

You have been inspired to share your feelings about opportunities on your online blog. In your blog, write about one opportunity that you missed and one opportunity that you took.

3. Learning English through Short Stories (DSE 2017)

You are entering a short story competition on the topic of 'Wildlife'. Your story should describe the events leading up to the image below.

4. Learning English through Drama (DSE 2017)

In your drama lessons, you have been looking at plays about romantic love. Your essay assignment from your drama teacher is to answer the question: Is Romantic Love Necessary for a Happy Marriage?

5. Learning English through Popular Culture (DSE 2017)

Recently the Hong Kong Government published a list of intangible cultural heritage items that the city should protect. The following were on the list:

Write a letter to the editor of the Hong Kong Daily supporting the Government's choice of these two features of Hong Kong culture, suggesting why they are worth protecting and how they can be protected.

6. Learning English through Debating (DSE 2017)

As captain of the debate team, you have been asked to write a debate speech. The task is to argue that 'Watching TV Makes Us Smarter'.

In your speech, you should include three reasons to support the statement.

7. Learning English through Social Issues (DSE 2017)

You are working on a project entitled 'Hong Kong's NEETs'. NEETs are young people who are not in education, employment or training. Many of these young people spend their time at home playing video games or surfing the Internet.

Write a report to explain why the number of NEETs in Hong Kong is rising and suggest what can be done to help these youths. Give reasons to support your suggestions.

8. Learning English through Sports Communication (DSE 2017)

Unlike swimmers or basketball players, dancers are not traditionally thought of as athletes. As a member of your school's dance team, you have been asked to write an article for your school magazine. Use the title and headings below to support the idea of dancers as athletes.

Dancers Are Athletes

• Physical Strength & Skills
• Self-discipline & Training

9. Learning English through Workplace Communication (DSE 2017)

It has recently been claimed that in the workplace, many Hong Kong fresh university graduates are less hard-working and less willing to face challenges compared to those in the past.

You strongly disagree with this opinion. Write a letter to the editor of the Hong Kong Daily disagreeing with this opinion. Support your view with three reasons and/or examples.

1. You are Chris Wong, the class teacher of 6A. You will be taking your class on a school trip next month to sky100, shown in the poster below.

Write a letter to parents, giving them the necessary information about the trip. You may use the mind map to help you write your letter.

2. Learning English through Sports Communication (DSE 2018)

You recently ran the Hong Kong Marathon for the first time.

Write a blog to be posted on the Hong Kong Marathon's website to encourage other young people to take part in the next marathon.

3. Learning English through Workplace Communication (DSE 2018)

You are the boss of Reboot Online Company and you have recently received complaints from some staff about the number of work-related emails and text messages received out of office.

Write a letter to staff addressing their complaints.

4. Learning English through Social Issues (DSE 2018)

You write an advice column for Teen magazine and you have received the following letter:

I've been thinking about my future. I love animals and I've always wanted to be a vet. But when I told my parents, the first thing they said was 'No'. I feel really frustrated. What should I do? – J.C., 16 years old

Write a letter of advice.

5. Learning English through Debating (DSE 2018)

You are representing your school at an inter-school debating competition. The motion is: 'The policy of reporting students' class position should be abolished'.

Write a debate speech arguing for or against the motion.

6. Learning English through Popular Culture (DSE 2018)

'Athleisure' is currently one of the biggest trends in the fashion industry. This is a term for clothes that can be worn both for exercise and as everyday wear.

Write an article for the local newspaper, explaining possible reasons for the rise in popularity of athleisure.

7. Learning English through Drama (DSE 2018)

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) wants to encourage more people to watch stage plays. To do this, they want to show video-recordings of live drama performances from theatres all over the world.

You have just watched one of these recordings. Write an article for Showbiz magazine, discussing whether these recordings are a good way to attract more people to watch stage plays.

8. Learning English through Poems and Songs (DSE 2018)

Poetry House is offering a scholarship for ten young writers to attend their summer poetry workshop. The workshop will promote the art and craft of poetry in a creative environment and participants will have a chance to discuss their work with guest poets from around the world.

Write an application letter, explaining your interest in poetry and why you should be selected to take part in this workshop.

9. Learning English through Short Stories (DSE 2018)

Imagine you are a pet bird in a cage. One day your owner left your bird cage open.

Write a story from the bird's point of view.

1. The Yearbook Committee is putting together a book for all graduating students. The yearbook is a collection of photos and comments about school life, written and submitted by students. When read several years later, the yearbook will remind students of their time at secondary school.

You are a student in Class 6C at Kowloon Secondary School. The committee has asked you to complete the following yearbook entry.

1.1: ACADEMIC LIFE Write about one subject that you enjoyed studying or found challenging.

1.2: STUDENT LIFE Write about what you will miss most about being a student in Class 6C.

2. Learning English through Social Issues (DSE 2019)

The following excerpt appeared in an article in the Hong Kong Daily Press : 

To participate in today's global economy, companies hire individuals whose skills and talent meet standards of excellence. One hundred years ago, people were hired from within the local community but today the best individuals are hired from around the world.

• Write an essay for your English teacher.
• Explain some of the benefits and challenges international talent brings to Hong Kong society and ways to ensure that people from the local community are not neglected.
• Include a title for your essay.

3. Learning English through Debating (DSE 2019)

The Hong Kong Daily Press invites readers to submit their views on the following topic:

Do social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter encourage or stifle public debate? When first created, social media was thought to be a place where rational debate and logic would thrive. However, as time has shown, this is not always the case.

Write an argumentative essay.

• Choose one side of the argument and state your position, giving reasons and evidence to support your view.

4. Learning English through Sports Communication (DSE 2019)

You are a reporter for the sports section of the Young Post . You were attending the final game of the season between rivals St. George's School and Royal College when something unexpected happened during the game.

• Write a news report.
• Describe the incident and what happened afterwards. Include thoughts and opinions from different people involved.
• Give your report a headline.

5. Learning English through Popular Culture (DSE 2019)

This week's question in the Young Post 's 'Over to You' column is:

Where do you get information about the latest trends in pop culture? Do you turn to newspapers and magazines or do you prefer blogs and videos on social media?

• Write an article for the 'Over to You' column.
• Choose one or two areas of pop culture from the chart below and tell readers where you like to get information about the latest trends. Provide the name of the sources you recommend.
• Give your article a title.

6. Learning English through Drama (DSE 2019)

You are a reporter for the entertainment section of the Young Post . You have been asked to review a new film called Cinderella , which is based on the comic series Princesses of Power .

• Write a review for the film.
• Include a brief description of the plot, how the characters are portrayed in this new version of Cinderella and why the director wanted to make this film.
• Give your review a title.

7. Learning English through Poems and Songs (DSE 2019)

Taylor Swift is an award-winning singer-songwriter. In an interview with Parade magazine, she said:

"I wrote the song 'Mean' about a critic who kept giving me really bad reviews. I get that, no matter what, people will criticise what you do. But there are different ways to criticise someone ... and there's a line that you cross when you just start to attack everything about a person."

You lead an after-school arts club. You would like to instruct members on how to review each other's work.

• Write a speech to be delivered to club members.
• Discuss what a critic does, how to give criticism and ways to respond to criticism.
• Give your speech a title.

8. Learning English through Workplace Communication (DSE 2019)

You are a volunteer in your local district council office. You have been asked to design a campaign poster for Ricky Kwan, a candidate who will be running in the upcoming council election. You have finished two designs (A and B) and are working on a third (C).

• Write an email to the council election committee.
• Explain the ideas behind designs A and B and how they would make a good campaign theme.
• Share the ideas you have for your third design.
• Include a subject heading for the email.

9. Learning English through Short Stories (DSE 2019)

Cosmo bookshop is organising a short story contest. The details are below:

In the tale The Tortoise and the Hare , two animals challenge each other to a race to prove who is the fastest. Mid-race, the hare lies down to rest, certain that it will win. The tortoise, though slow, never gives up and crosses the finishing line ahead of the hare. Slow and steady wins the race, as the message of the story goes.

• Rewrite this story.
• Use the same characters but imagine that the tortoise and the hare team up to race against other contestants.
• Express a message through the telling of the story.
• Give your story a title.

You finally got the chance to eat at Hong Kong's hottest new restaurant, Dim Sum One. Write a review for Eat & Drink , an online food guide that allows users to write their own reviews.

• Write about what you liked, what you didn't like and if you would recommend this restaurant.
• You can choose to write about any of the following in your review.

2. Learning English through Popular Culture (DSE 2020)

Some of Hong Kong's housing estates have become extremely popular places to take Instagram photos.

As part of a class assignment, you interviewed Instagrammers and residents at a housing estate which has been listed as one of the top 10 places in Hong Kong to take Instagram photos.

• Write an essay for your assignment.
• Explain what attracts Instagrammers to Hong Kong's housing estates and how residents feel about this.

3. Learning English through Social Issues (DSE 2020)

In recent years, the number of small independent stationery shops in Hong Kong has fallen.

• Write a news report for the Hong Kong Post .
• Explain this trend and discuss whether independent stationery shops can survive.

4. Learning English through Workplace Communication (DSE 2020)

You work for the Park Hotel in Hong Kong. You would like to apply for a work transfer to the Shanghai branch of the hotel.

• Write a letter to Mr Wong, your manager.
• Highlight your work experience, why you would like to transfer and how your transfer will benefit the organisation.

5. Learning English through Sports Communication (DSE 2020)

Some people think that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should include a greater variety of sports in the Olympic Games. However, for a sport to be considered a new Olympic event, it must meet the following criteria: 1) appeal to young people; 2) promote gender equality; 3) attract media coverage.

The IOC is inviting the public to suggest sports to be included in future Olympics. You would like to propose Dragon Boat Racing.

• Write a letter to the President of the IOC.
• Give reasons to support your opinion.

6. Learning English through Debating (DSE 2020)

To raise public awareness of healthy eating, some countries now legally require food manufacturers to put warning labels on foods that are high in sugar, saturated fat and salt.

• Argue either for or against the effectiveness of food warning labels in changing people's eating habits.

7. Learning English through Poems and Songs (DSE 2020)

You are a reporter for Do-Re-Mi , a music magazine. You interviewed Zoe Kwan, who has just won 'Best New Artist' at the HKTV Music Awards.

• Write a feature article based on your interview.
• Report on Zoe's sudden rise to fame and where the ideas behind her songs came from.

8. Learning English through Short Stories (DSE 2020)

Sci-Fi magazine is organising a First Chapter Competition. The competition involves writing the first chapter of a story based on the following scenario.

A journalist is sent to investigate a research station in the Arctic after staff begin to mysteriously disappear one by one.

• You would like to enter the competition.
• Write only the first chapter of your story.

9. Learning English through Drama (DSE 2020)

You are visiting Hong Kong. Last night, a friend took you to the new Xiqu Centre in West Kowloon Cultural District to watch Chinese Opera. You didn't think you would like it, but after watching the performance, you changed your mind.

• Write a blog post for World Passport , a travel blog about different places and cultures.
• Describe your experience and the impact it had on you.

1. You are helping your school organise the annual school fair. You have been asked to make an announcement about the event during the morning assembly.

Use the poster below to help you write your announcement. In your announcement:

• Introduce the event.
• Describe some of the activities that will take place.
• Let students know how they can help out.

2. Learning English through Social Issues (DSE 2021)

Although studies show electric cars are more environmentally friendly than petrol cars, less than 3% of all vehicles sold in 2020 worldwide were electric.

Write a letter to the editor of Hong Kong Post .

• Discuss why sales of electric vehicles are so low.
• Suggest what can be done to attract more people to drive these vehicles.

3. Learning English through Workplace Communication (DSE 2021)

You work in the sales department at Fast Fashion, an online company that sells clothes. Recently, you have received a number of complaints from customers about the company's no-exchange/no-refund policy.

Write an email to the sales manager.

• Explain why you think this policy should be changed.
• Suggest what changes could be made.
• Discuss ways to prevent customers from taking advantage of the new policy.

4. Learning English through Sports Communication (DSE 2021)

You are a professional athlete looking for a career change. You have seen the job vacancy shown below and would like to apply for the position of Assistant Coach.

Hong Kong Sports Foundation is hiring Assistant Coaches

Main duties:

- to design training programmes for elite athletes - to organise international sporting competitions - to identify and support local talent

Write a job application letter to the Human Resources Manager.

• Introduce yourself and your athletic history.
• Explain your interest and suitability for the job.

5. Learning English through Debating (DSE 2021)

A social media influencer is a person who is paid by a company to promote goods and services through their social media networks.

Surveys show that a majority of millennials trust the advice of social media influencers over traditional media advertisements.

• Discuss whether social media influencers are more trustworthy than traditional media advertisements.
• Give reasons to support your point of view.

6. Learning English through Popular Culture (DSE 2021)

You took part in a social media challenge called 'The 21-day Gratitude Challenge'. For three weeks, you kept a journal about the things you were thankful for on a daily basis.

After completing the challenge, participants are invited to share their experience on the 21-day Gratitude Challenge website.

Write a blog post.

• Explain why you accepted this challenge and what you hoped to achieve.
• Reflect on the 21 days and whether taking on this challenge has changed you in any way.

7. Learning English through Short Stories (DSE 2021)

You are joining a short story contest organised by a bookshop.

• Write a scary story about a security guard on duty one night.
• Use the pictures to help you write your story. You can use the pictures in any order.

8. Learning English through Poems and Songs (DSE 2021)

You read this poem in class and your teacher has asked you to write an essay on the theme of friendship.

New Friends and Old Friends

Use these questions to help you write your essay:

• What is the difference between old and new friendships?
• Do you agree that older friendships are better than new ones?

9. Learning English through Drama (DSE 2021)

You want to be a screenwriter and have an idea for a TV drama series about three generations of a family.

Write a letter to the production manager at TV-Station X.

• Introduce the characters, plot and setting of your TV drama.
• Explain why you think this idea would be popular with viewers.

You work at the Visitor Information Centre at Hong Kong Adventure Farm. Use the map and headings below to help you complete a guide for first-time visitors.

• About Hong Kong Adventure Farm (Write about 50 words.)
• Top three things to see and do (Write about 150 words.)

For questions 2 – 9, choose one question and write about 400 words.

2. Learning English through Popular Culture (DSE 2022)

You are the host of 'Teen Chat', a YouTube channel that explores a wide range of topics from a teenage perspective. Write an article for Teen Magazine about why you started this channel and what you have learned in the process.

3. Learning English through Workplace Communication (DSE 2022)

You write an advice column for Jobs Online magazine. A reader submitted the following question:

My dream is to open a café with a few friends, but I've just been offered a promotion at my company. The pay is good, but I'm not that interested in the work. Should I leave now or wait a few years?  —Kam Chai, 25 years old

Write a reply to Kam Chai offering your advice.

4. Learning English through Sports Communication (DSE 2022)

You are the captain of the school's basketball team. Your team made it to the inter-school championship final but came second.

Write a speech to be delivered to the team at the end-of-season dinner celebration.

5. Learning English through Social Issues (DSE 2022)

The following comment appeared in the editorial of Hong Kong Post :

Young people today lack interest in traditional art forms such as lion dance, calligraphy or the art of tea drinking.

You are the chairperson of your school's Heritage Club. Express your views by writing a letter to the editor of Hong Kong Post .

6. Learning English through Poems and Songs (DSE 2022)

The musical group Nine Dragons has asked you to help promote them by writing a bio for their website.

The bio should include background information about the group, style of music and plans for the future.

7. Learning English through Drama (DSE 2022)

As part of your drama class, you played the role of the hero and the villain in different plays.

Write an entry in your drama journal. Reflect on which role you preferred playing and why.

8. Learning English through Short Stories (DSE 2022)

You entered the 'Stories of Survival' short story competition. The theme of this year's competition is 'Nature: friend or enemy?'

Write a story about a hiker who gets caught in a storm while hiking in the mountains.

9. Learning English through Debating (DSE 2022)

The School Management is considering a four-day school week. Students would only need to attend school four days a week instead of five, but the length of each day would be increased by one hour.

You are a member of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). Write a letter to the President of the PTA stating your opinion either for or against a four-day school week. Give reasons to support your view.

You work for Planet Smart, a company that sells eco-friendly products. Your company wants to set up a pop-up shop inside a shopping centre for three months to promote your products to new customers.

Complete the application form below.

2. Learning English through Sports Communication (DSE 2023)

While tai chi is a popular activity in Hong Kong, it is less known in some parts of the world.

Write an article for International Travel magazine, introducing the benefits of tai chi to tourists.

3. Learning English through Popular Culture (DSE 2023)

Anime Expo, Hong Kong's biggest anime, manga and video game exhibition, was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre last weekend. As a school reporter, you attended the event and interviewed some people dressed in cosplay.

Write an article for your school magazine.

4. Learning English through Debating (DSE 2023)

The following topic was discussed at a debate workshop:

Some employers use cameras and computer software to monitor what employees are doing in the workplace. How do you think this affects productivity and job satisfaction?

Write an essay about the pros and cons of monitoring employees in the workplace.

5. Learning English through Short Stories (DSE 2023)

Fairy tales and fables teach us how to find love, survive family conflicts, defeat the rich and powerful and live happily ever after.

Write an essay to explain how reading these kinds of stories has taught you important lessons about life.

6. Learning English through Drama (DSE 2023)

In your drama class, you and your classmates had to perform a 10-minute comedy sketch without a script or any preparation time. It was your first time doing improvisation.

Write a diary entry about this experience.

7. Learning English through Social Issues (DSE 2023)

A survey found that the majority of Hong Kong people in their 60s would like to have the option to work past the retirement age of 65. In contrast, there is a growing number of young people whose goal is to retire in their 30s or 40s.

Write a news article for the Hong Kong Daily about these different views towards retirement.

8. Learning English through Poems and Songs (DSE 2023)

Contestants in a song-writing competition complained when a song created by artificial intelligence (AI) software won first prize.

Write a letter to the editor on whether computer-generated songs should be allowed to compete in such competitions.

9. Learning English through Workplace Communication (DSE 2023)

You work for Restaurant Business magazine. You interviewed a restaurant owner about his/her experiences of running a business during the pandemic.

Write a feature article for the magazine.

I make every effort to respect copyright and intellectual property rights by providing appropriate attribution for all images used on my site. Despite my best efforts to trace images to their rightful owners, there may be instances where the origin of an image has not been correctly identified or attributed.

If you believe that an image on my site has been improperly credited, or if you hold the copyright to an image and would prefer that it not be used, please contact me directly through my contact form . I am committed to rectifying any attribution errors and will promptly address any concerns regarding image use.

Connect with me

Like this site.

Most Popular (Last 7 Days)

'Point of Views', 'Points of View', or 'Points of Views'? Which One Is Correct? | Mastering Grammar

'Long Ago', 'Long Time Ago', or 'A Long Time Ago'? Which One Is Correct? | Mastering Grammar

'Suggest Doing' or 'Suggest to Do'? Which One Is Correct? | Mastering Grammar

'Consider Doing' or 'Consider to Do'? Which One Is Correct? | Mastering Grammar

The Gerund as the Subject of a Sentence or a Clause | Mastering Grammar

• British English and American English 3
• capitalisation 1
• celebrity tutor series 15
• common mistakes 137
• easily confused words 32
• editing & proofreading 21
• grammar 116
• homophones 9
• phrasal verbs 2
• prepositions 10
• punctuation 1
• vocabulary 53

Menu Footer Widget

Contact form.

How to Write a Debate Speech in English | Format, and Examples

Every student has to write a debate at some point in school, college, or university and if you don’t know about the methods and steps to write a debate speech, you won’t write an effective debate speech to increase your chance of success. Following a proper structure and format in debate writing is essential for a good debate to convenience the audience. There are some tips and methods to write an effective debate speech and by setting a tone and correct words choice and sentences, you can grab the judge’s and the audience’s attention. So, are you searching for pro tips on how to write a debate speech in English? Let’s dive into this article and get complete knowledge about debate writing.

Before diving into the steps of debate writing, it’s necessary to understand debate speech definition and debate speech format.

Debate Speech Definition

A debate speech is a formal discussion on a specific topic between two opposing sides or groups. One side discusses in a favor of the given topic or title, while the other side speaks against it or disagrees with the first side. The main purpose of a debate speech is to convince the judges and audience that your opinion is right. In debate speech, you need to express your views in a specific format and make your opponents impress by good debate writing skills.

Debate Speech Format

You can follow the following pattern for a debate speech.

Opening Statements and Explanation

This section consists of the opening sentences by using three arguments with explaining questions.

• Pro Tema – Up to 5 minutes
• Con Team – Up to 2 minutes
• Con Team – Up to 5 minutes
• Pro Team – Up to 2 minutes

Rebuttals (No new Arguments Here)

In this section, the debaters repeat the deponent arguments and evaluate what is wrong with his/her position.

• Pro Team – Up to 3 minutes
• Con Team – Up to 3 minutes

Debate Summary

In the summary, debates summarize their positions after detailed arguments and discussions with the opponents. In addition, the debaters also say why their position is the best.

Finally, each group will be assumed to answer the questions up to 20 minutes long session. For instance, you can look at the following debate speech template to get an idea of the debate speech structure.

Debate Speech Format PDF

How to Write a Debate (6 Steps)

Structuring and writing your debate correctly will increase your chance of success. By following the 6 easy steps below will help you win the debate competition. Without further ado let’s dive into the following steps.

• Begin With a Strong Opening Lines
• Define the Topic
• Signposting

Step #1: Begin With a Strong Opening Lines

Every good speech and discussion starts with a strong sentence. Remember the first impression is the last impression, hence start your debate with a strong opening line that can help you impress the audience and the judge immediately. For example, you can start your debate by asking an open-ended question, tell a story, state an amazing fact or say a powerful quotation.

Step #2: Define the Topic

When you started your debate with a strong sentence and catch the audience’s attention, in the next step you need to make the subject clear to your listeners. You need to state the topic and your group’s position on the topic to help the audience comprehend the side you are going to argue about.

For Example:

“Ladies and gentlemen, today I would like to talk to you about the education system. The education system that we have followed in our country has been reformed many times. Computer literacy at the age of 13 can help in the child’s future studies. Here, I will argue that the problem is the pandemic, besides being stressful, are indecisive in assessing student learning.”

Step #3: Signposting

Signposting may seem irritating and avoidable. If you are word-addict it can even seem like it’s confusing the flow of your otherwise clear and lyrical speech. However, it’s totally important in the format of a good debate speech. You might think that you write a good debate speech, but remember the audience isn’t you to judge. They don’t how much idea about the topic as you have and they might get bored for a few moments in your introduction and then get completely lost. This is why signposting is necessary for debate.

This is a good way to remind your audience of what you are discussing and where you are up to in your speech. Hence, after your introduction add a few points that tell the audience that how many points you are going to deliver and in what order you are delivering them.

Also Read : Essential Transition Words and Phrases for Writing

Step #4: Rebuttal

Have you heard that sometimes the best offense is a good defense? In a professional debate, the most compelling part is usually when one side takes one of the arguments of the opponent and then cuts it to pieces. Indeed, it’s the most difficult part of any debate speech to finish correctly. In a debate speech Rebutting arguments forces you to think thoroughly on the spot. You have a little time like 30 to 40 seconds to take arguments that your opponent has spent a lot of time researching and edging and convincingly oppose it.

There are some approaches that you can use while rebutting in a debate speech and make the challenge a little less dismay. These include the following:

• Pre-research thoroughly
• What’s the point
• Economic Challanges
• Say your own arguments

Step #5: Arguments

The argument is the most significant part of a debate speech. To make it clear for you, we have divided this down into four simple subtopics.

1. Decide what to argue:

If you have researched the topics and have good information, then a lot of arguments will come to your mind. It always requires good research to come up with talking points. Consider the issue. You can research online, read books and novels for good ideas. When you have good knowledge of the topic then the right arguments will come to your mind no matter how strong your position is.

2. The Layout :

Writing an argument is the same as writing a body paragraph for an essay. You can start each argument by signposting for instance, “Initially, I want to argue….” and then follow up with a sentence shortly. After this, you need to talk in detail about the topic by giving some facts and statics to constitute what you are saying, and then at the end link neatly back to the title of the debate to make clear to the audience that you are not only giving a passionate rant but instead making a carefully calculated point that related in with a general thesis statement.

3. Find Evidence:

Embedding the right evidence into your debate speech makes you more conceivable, but using the wrong and irrelevant evidence from a wrong source leaves you vulnerable to be attacked by the opposition. Hence, it’s necessary to search beforehand and find the right evidence.

4. Persuasive Strategies:

Remember you can be as persuasive and colorful in debate as you write a persuasive piece. Don’t use harsh words or insult your opponents and don’t use the sense of humor where it’s not important, but other than the obvious limitation you can use as many persuasive strategies as you can.

Step #6: How to Conclude

The conclusion is the result of your writing and is one of the most important parts of a debate speech. It should sum the points you have written in the whole parts of your writing, and by delivering the conclusion of your debate the listeners or readers should feel as if they have gained the result of whatever you have written in the body.

Writing a conclusion for a debate speech is the same as writing a conclusion for an essay. In the link below you can read more about how to conclude a debate.

• How to Write the Best Concluding Paragraph

Debate Speech Sample in English

Download PDF

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Related posts

Scripts for 6th december finland independence day, the 5 best ways to understand what you hear in english, how to get tax benefits on a personal loan for education, leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

How to Write a Winning Debate Speech

What is a Debate?

A classroom debate involves students delivering persuasive speeches to present and support their opinions on a given subject. This activity helps develop critical thinking and communication skills, enabling students to gain a more comprehensive grasp of various topics.

Debate speeches are written according to a set of rules so a moderator can assess their effectiveness and allow others to question or challenge their statements within a formal debate.

A classroom debate is not an unruly fight or pointless argument but a structured formal conversation on a chosen topic in which two teams argue for or against it to convince the neutral moderator that they hold the stronger position.

Debating is a form of persuasive communication, and while we will be sticking to the fundamentals of how to write a debating speech, we also have a great guide to persuasive essay writing that elaborates on specific persuasive techniques.

Complete Teaching Unit on Class Debating

This unit will guide your students to write excellent DEBATE SPEECHES and craft well-researched, constructed ARGU MENTS ready for critique from their classmates.

Furthermore, this EDITABLE UNIT will provide the TOOLS and STRATEGIES for running highly engaging CLASSROOM DEBATES.

How To Run A Classroom Debate

Before jumping in headfirst to write your debating speech, ensure you understand how a debate is run to maximise your strategy and impact when it counts.

Debates occur in many different contexts, such as public meetings, election campaigns, legislative assemblies, and as entertainment on television shows. These contexts determine the specific structure the debate will follow.

This guide provides a basic step-by-step debate structure we can comfortably run with students in a classroom. By familiarizing students with this structure, they will effortlessly transition to other debate frameworks.

Running a classroom debate can be an engaging and educational activity that helps students develop critical thinking, communication, and research skills. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to organize and facilitate a successful classroom debate:

1. Choose a Topic For Your Debate.

Also called a resolution or a motion , the topic is sometimes chosen to debate. This is usually the case in a school activity to practice debating skills. 

The resolution or motion is usually centered around a true or false statement or a proposal to change the current situation. Often, the motion starts, ”This House believes that….”

Select a topic relevant to your curriculum and the students’ interests. Ensure that it is debatable and has multiple perspectives. Further down this article, you can find a list of popular classroom debating topics.

2. Form Two Debating Teams

Two teams of three speakers each are formed. These are referred to as ‘ The House for the Motion ’ or the ‘ Affirmative ’ team and ‘The House Against the Motion ’ or the ‘ Negative ’ team.

Preparation is an essential aspect of debating. The speech and debate team members will need time to research their arguments, collaborate, and organize themselves and their respective roles in the upcoming debate.

They’ll also need time to write and rehearse their speeches. The better prepared and coordinated they are as a team, the greater their chances of success in the debate.

3. Assign Roles to Students.

Each team member should have a specific role, such as speaker, researcher , or rebuttal specialist . This encourages teamwork and ensures that each student is actively involved.

4. Research and Preparation:

• Allocate time for teams to research and prepare their arguments. Encourage students to use multiple sources, including books, articles, and reputable websites. Make sure you read our complete guide to powerful student research strategies.

5. Set Debate Format:

• Define the debate format, including the structure of each round. Common formats include opening statements, cross-examination, rebuttals, and closing statements.

6. Establish Rules:

• Set ground rules for the debate, such as time limits for each speaker, etiquette, guidelines for respectful communication, and consequences for rule violations.

7. Conduct a Practice Debate:

• Before the actual debate, conduct a practice round. This helps students become familiar with the format and allows you to provide feedback on their arguments and presentation skills.
• On the day of the debate, set up the classroom to accommodate the format. Ensure that each round has a clear structure, and designate a timekeeper to keep the debate on schedule.

9. Facilitate Q&A Sessions:

• After each team presents their arguments, allow time for questions and cross-examination. This encourages critical thinking and engagement among the students.

10. Evaluate and Debrief:

• After the debate, provide constructive feedback to each team. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments, presentation skills, and teamwork. Also, please encourage students to reflect on what they learned from the experience.
• Have a class discussion about the debate, exploring different perspectives and opinions. This can deepen students’ understanding of the topic and enhance their critical thinking skills.

Consider integrating the debate topic into future lessons or assignments. This reinforces the learning experience and allows students to delve deeper into the subject matter.

Remember to create a supportive and respectful environment throughout the debate, emphasizing the importance of listening to opposing views and engaging in constructive dialogue.

Each speaker takes a turn making their speech, alternating between the House for the Motion, who goes first, and the House Against the Motion. Each speaker speaks for a pre-agreed amount of time.

Ensure your debate is held in front of an audience (in this case, the class), and occasionally, the audience is given time to ask questions after all the speeches have been made.

Finally, the debate is judged either by moderators or by an audience vote. 

Download our Debate Organizer

Stay fousssed with this handy template to keep all your ideas organized.

How To Write A Debate

How to start a debate speech.

In highly competitive speech and debate tournaments, students are only provided the topic on the day, and limited time is allowed for preparation, but this is not recommended for beginners.

Regardless of the stakes of your classroom debate, the speechwriting process always begins with research. Thorough research will provide students with both the arguments and the supporting evidence for their position on a topic and generate forward-thinking about what their opponents might use against them.

Writing Your Introduction

The purpose of the introduction in a debate speech is to achieve several things:

• Grab the attention of the audience,
• Introduce the topic
• Provide a thesis statement
• Preview some of the main arguments.

Grab The Attention Of Your Audience With Strong Hooks

Securing the audience’s attention is crucial, and failure to do this will have a strong, negative impact on how the team’s efforts will be scored as a whole. Let’s explore three proven strategies to hook your audience and align their thinking to yours.

Introduce Your Topic With Efficiency and Effectiveness

Once the audience’s attention has been firmly grasped, it’s time to introduce the topic or the motion. This should be done straightforwardly and transparently to ensure the audience understands the topic of the debate and the position you are approaching it from.

For example, if the topic of the debate was school uniforms, the topic may be introduced with:

Provide Your Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a concise declaration summarizing the points and arguments of your debating speech.

• It presents a clear stance on a topic and guides the reader on what to expect in the content.
• A good thesis statement is debatable and allows for opposing viewpoints and discussion.
• It serves as a roadmap for the writer, ensuring coherence and focus in the piece.
• It helps the audience understand the purpose and direction of the work from the beginning.

The thesis statement should express the student’s or the team’s position on the motion. Clearly explaining the speaker’s side of the debate. An example can be seen here.

Provide A Preview Of Your Arguments

The final part of the introduction section of a debate speech involves previewing the main points of the speech for the audience.

There is no need to go into detail with each argument here; that’s what the body of the speech is for. It is enough to provide a general thesis statement for each argument or ‘claims’ – (more on this to follow).

Previewing the arguments in a speech is especially important as the audience and judges only get one listen to a speech – unlike a text, which can be reread as frequently as the reader likes.

debate introduction examples for students

Attention grabbers task.

After explaining the different types of attention grabbers and the format for the rest of the introduction to your students, challenge them to write an example of each type of opening for a specific debate topic. 

When they’ve finished writing these speech openings, discuss with the students which one best fits their chosen topic. Then, they can continue by completing the rest of the introduction for their speech using the format described above.

You might like to try a simple topic like “Homework should be banned.” you can choose from our collection further in this article.

Writing T he Body of the Speech

The body paragraphs are the real meat of the speech. They contain the in-depth arguments that make up the substance of the debate, and How well these arguments are made will determine how the judges will assess each speaker’s performance, so it’s essential to get the structure of these arguments just right.

Let’s take a look at how to do that.

How to structure an Argument

With the introduction out of the way, it’s time for the student to get down to the nitty-gritty of the debate – that is, making compelling arguments to support their case.

There are three main aspects to an argument in a debate speech. They are:

• The Warrant

Following this structure carefully enables our students to build coherent and robust arguments. Ttake a look at these elements in action in the example below.

Brainstorming Arguments

Present your students with a topic and, as a class, brainstorm some arguments for and against the motion.

Then, ask students to choose one argument and, using the Claim-Warrant-Impact format, take a few moments to write down a well-structured argument that’s up to debate standard.

Students can then present their arguments to the class. 

Or, you could also divide the class along pro/con lines and host a mini-debate!

Concluding a Debate Speech

The conclusion of a speech or a debate is the final chance for the speaker to convey their message to the audience. In a formal debate that has a set time limit, the conclusion is crucial as it demonstrates the speaker’s ability to cover all their material within the given time frame.

Avoid introducing new information and focus on reinforcing the strength of your position for a compelling and memorable conclusion.

A good conclusion should refer back to the introduction and restate the main position of the speaker, followed by a summary of the key arguments presented. Finally, the speaker should end the speech with a powerful image that will leave a lasting impression on the audience and judges.

Examples of strong debate Conclusions

The Burden of the Rejoinder

In formal debates, the burden of the rejoinder means that any time an opponent makes a point for their side, it’s incumbent upon the student/team to address that point directly.

Failing to do so will automatically be seen as accepting the truth of the point made by the opponent.

For example, if the opposing side argues that all grass is pink, despite how ridiculous that statement is, failing to refute that point directly means that, for the debate, all grass is pink.

Our students must understand the burden of the rejoinder and ensure that any points the opposing team makes are fully addressed during the debate.

The Devils Advocate

When preparing to write their speech, students should spend a significant proportion of their team collaborating as a team. 

One good way to practice the burden of the rejoinder concept is to use the concept of Devil’s Advocate, whereby one team member acts as a member of the opposing team, posing arguments from the other side for the speaker to counter, sharpening up their refutation skills in the process.

20 Great Debating Topics for Students

• Should cell phones be allowed in schools?
• Is climate change primarily caused by human activities?
• Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
• Is social media more harmful than beneficial to society?
• Should genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be embraced or rejected?
• Is the death penalty an effective crime deterrent?
• Should schools implement mandatory drug testing for students?
• Is animal testing necessary for scientific and medical advancements?
• Should school uniforms be mandatory?
• Is censorship justified in certain circumstances?
• Should the use of performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in sports?
• Is homeschooling more beneficial than traditional schooling?
• Should the use of plastic bags be banned?
• Is nuclear energy a viable solution to the world’s energy needs?
• Should the government regulate the fast food industry?
• Is social inequality a result of systemic factors or individual choices?
• Should the consumption of meat be reduced for environmental reasons?
• Is online learning more effective than traditional classroom learning?
• Should the use of drones in warfare be banned?
• Is the legalization of marijuana beneficial for society?

These topics cover a range of subjects and offer students the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking debates on relevant and impactful issues.

OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO DEBATING

The Ultimate Guide to Opinion Writing for Students and Teachers

Top 5 Persuasive Writing Techniques for Students

5 Top Persuasive Writing Lesson Plans for Students and Teachers

23 Persuasive writing Topics for High School students

How to Write Perfect Persuasive Essays in 5 Simple Steps

Debating strategies for students.

Research and preparation are essential to ensure good performance in a debate. Students should spend as much time as possible drafting and redrafting their speeches to maximize their chances of winning. However, a debate is a dynamic activity, and victory cannot be assured by pre-writing alone.

Students must understand that the key to securing victory lies in also being able to think, write (often in the form of notes), and respond instantly amid the turmoil of the verbal battle. To do this, students must understand the following keys to victory.

When we think of winning a debate, we often think of blinding the enemy with the brilliance of our verbal eloquence. We think of impressing the audience and the judges alike with our outstanding oratory.

What we don’t often picture when we imagine what a debate winner looks like is a quiet figure sitting and listening intently. But being a good listener is one of our students’ most critical debating skills.

If students don’t listen to the other side, whether by researching opposing arguments or during the thrust of the actual debate, they won’t know the arguments the other side is making. Without this knowledge, they cannot effectively refute the opposition’s claims.

Read the Audience

In terms of the writing that happens before the debate takes place, this means knowing your audience. 

Students should learn that how they present their arguments may change according to the demographics of the audience and/or judges to whom they will be making their speech. 

An audience of retired school teachers and an audience of teen students may have very different responses to the same arguments.

This applies during the actual debate itself too. If the student making their speech reads resistance in the faces of the listeners, they should be prepared to adapt their approach accordingly in mid-speech.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The student must practice their speech before the debate. There’s no need to learn it entirely by heart. There isn’t usually an expectation to memorize a speech entirely, and doing so can lead to the speaker losing some of their spontaneity and power in their delivery. At the same time, students shouldn’t spend the whole speech bent over a sheet of paper reading word by word.

Ideally, students should familiarize themselves with the content and be prepared to deliver their speech using flashcards as prompts when necessary.

Another important element for students to focus on when practising their speech is making their body language, facial expressions, and hand gestures coherent with the verbal content of their speech. One excellent way to achieve this is for the student to practice delivering their speech in a mirror.

And Finally…

Debating is a lot of fun to teach and partake in, but it also offers students a valuable opportunity to pick up some powerful life skills.

It helps students develop a knack for distinguishing fact from opinion and an ability to assess whether a source is credible or not. It also helps to encourage them to think about the other side of the argument. 

Debating helps our students understand others, even when disagreeing with them. An important skill in these challenging times, without a doubt.

Debating Teaching Strategies

Clearly Define Debate Roles and Structure when running speech and debate events: Clearly define the roles of speakers, timekeepers, moderators, and audience members. Establish a structured format with specific time limits for speeches, rebuttals, and audience participation. This ensures a well-organized and engaging debate.

• Provide Topic Selection and Preparation Time: Offer students a range of debate topics, allowing them to select a subject they are passionate about. Allocate ample time for research and preparation, encouraging students to gather evidence, develop strong arguments, and anticipate counterarguments.
• Incorporate Scaffolded Debating Skills Practice: Before the actual debate, engage students in scaffolded activities that build their debating skills. This can include small group discussions, mock debates, or persuasive writing exercises. Provide feedback and guidance to help students refine their arguments and delivery.
• Encourage Active Listening and Note-taking during speech and debate competitions: Emphasize the importance of active listening during the debate. Encourage students to take notes on key points, supporting evidence, and persuasive techniques used by speakers. This cultivates critical thinking skills and prepares them for thoughtful responses during rebuttals.
• Facilitate Post-Debate Reflection and Discussion: After the debate, facilitate a reflection session where students can share their thoughts, lessons learned, and insights gained. Encourage them to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments and engage in constructive dialogue. This promotes metacognitive skills and encourages continuous improvement.

By following these tips, teachers can create a vibrant and educational debate experience for their students. Through structured preparation, active engagement, and reflective discussions, students develop valuable literacy and critical thinking skills that extend beyond the boundaries of the debate itself.

A COMPLETE UNIT FOR TEACHING OPINION WRITING

Teach your students to write EXCELLENT PERSUASIVE ESSAYS and master INFLUENTIAL WRITING SKILLS using PROVEN TEACHING STRATEGIES with this 140-PAGE UNIT.

ALL RESOURCES AND ASSESSMENT TOOLS INCLUDED – NO PREP REQUIRED.

30+ 5-star Ratings ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Tech Edvocate

• Advertisement
• Home Page Five (No Sidebar)
• Home Page Four
• Home Page Three
• Home Page Two
• Icons [No Sidebar]
• Left Sidbear Page
• Lynch Educational Consulting
• My Speaking Page
• Newsletter Sign Up Confirmation
• Newsletter Unsubscription
• Page Example
• Privacy Policy
• Protected Content
• Request a Product Review
• Shortcodes Examples
• Terms and Conditions
• The Edvocate
• The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
• Write For Us
• Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
• The Edvocate Podcast
• Assistive Technology
• Child Development Tech
• Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
• EdTech Futures
• EdTech News
• EdTech Policy & Reform
• EdTech Startups & Businesses
• Higher Education EdTech
• Online Learning & eLearning
• Parent & Family Tech
• Personalized Learning
• Product Reviews
• Tech Edvocate Awards
• School Ratings

How To Teach Phonics: Everything You Need to Know

Reading groups: everything you need to know, product review of the ultenic p30 grooming kit, reading anxiety in children: everything you need to know, iep meetings and parent-teacher conferences: everything you need to know, college disability services and accommodations: everything you need to know, spam vs. phishing: how are these unwanted messages different, how to charge your iphone properly, encouraging your teenager to read: everything you need to know, 8 ways to service an air conditioner, how to write a debate speech: 10 steps.

A well-crafted debate speech can effectively persuade an audience and make a lasting impact. By following these ten steps, you’ll be on your way to creating a powerful and engaging debate speech.

1. Understand the topic: Begin by thoroughly researching the topic of debate. Understand various viewpoints, facts, and statistics to develop a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Familiarize yourself with common arguments for and against the issue.

2. Analyze your audience: Before crafting your speech, spend some time considering who your audience is. What do they already know about the issue? What are their concerns, values, or interests? Tailor your speech to resonate with them.

3. Define your position : Clearly state your stance on the issue at hand. Your position should be strong, specific, and concise – bold statements will keep your audience engaged in the debate.

4. Develop your main arguments: Identify 2-3 compelling arguments supporting your position. These should form the backbone of your debate speech. Be sure to provide evidence, examples, or anecdotes that support each argument.

5. Prepare counterarguments: Anticipate objections from opponents and address these in your speech. By acknowledging opposing viewpoints and providing a persuasive rebuttal, you’ll strengthen your overall argument.

6. Organize your speech: Structure is crucial in presenting an effective debate speech. Begin with a captivating introduction that grabs the attention of the audience, followed by a clear thesis statement outlining your key points. Present each argument (along with its evidence) as separate supporting points before addressing counterarguments.

7. Maintain logic and consistency: Ensure that all elements of your speech are logically connected and coherently presented throughout. Avoid contradicting yourself or presenting irrelevant information.

8. Use persuasive language techniques: Employ rhetorical devices like metaphors, analogies, or hyperbole to enhance the impact of your arguments. Encourage emotional responses from your audience by appealing to values, beliefs, or fears.

9. Write an engaging conclusion: Wrap up your speech by summarizing your main arguments and highlighting their significance. End on a strong note that encourages action or emphasizes the importance of the issue.

10. Practice, practice, practice:   Finally, rehearse your speech multiple times to perfect your delivery. This will not only boost your confidence but also help you identify any errors or areas of the speech that need improvement.

By following these ten steps, you’ll be well on your way to writing a persuasive and memorable debate speech that effectively communicates your position and leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

How to Make a Compass: 8 Steps

4 ways to read and speak like ....

Matthew Lynch

Related articles more from author.

6 Ways to Roll Paper Cartridges (Reenacting)

How to Contour Lips

12 Ways to Become a Nice Person Again

4 Ways to Protect Yourself from a Psychopath

24 Ways to Buy Your Girlfriend the Perfect Gift

 3 Ways to Make Air Dry Clay

【Speech 格式】3大實用原則寫好 DSE英文演講辭❗️【5**範文+終極指南】

Spencer Lam

Dse英文文章內容在此推介課程下：, dse - 皇牌考試技巧班.

教授四卷獨門考試技巧以及加強考試常用詞彙等。

• 以 六大範疇全方位 提升學生的英文水平
• 自備過千頁 獨家精讀筆記
• 教授獨門 考試技巧 及 口訣

報讀詳情請以 WhatsApp 查詢

今期小編將為大家分享另一個實用文格式 – speech 格式 。

至於如何可以成功寫作一篇好的演講辭，贏得所有marker的歡心？ 

小編就立刻為大家介紹寫作技巧及 speech 格式 的注意事項。

以下是一個非常標準的演講辭格式：

Greeting (例如：Good morning principal, teachers and fellow students) opening 正文段落 1（Body Paragraph 1） 正文段落 2（Body Paragraph 2） 正文段落 3（Body Paragraph 3） 結論（Conclusion） Thank you (通常最後會加)

DSE Speech Format

Speech 格式 千篇一律，尤其DSE的卷，基本上都是一樣的 ( Debate speech 格式 會在這個基礎上增加一些格式條件)，所以只要緊記格式就不需要另作改變，更不要另外自行創作！！！

speech writing DSE

speech 是一種涉及與聽眾交談或進行演示的交流。 總統講話是演講的一個例子。

不過 DSE English paper 2/paper 3 不會那麼嚴肅的！

但DSE英文卷二卷三已經較少表明要求學生寫speech，反而會轉另一字，

announcement in morning assembly newsletter announcement presentation script

學生們要感受到DSE想大家寫類近speech的文體。

當然DSE對 Speech 格式 都有少少要求，這個在其後向大家展示！

Speech 演講辭是什麼

“ Speech “這個詞可以用來指演講辭，即為特定場合或目的而編寫和發表的口頭表達。

演講辭是一種口頭表達形式，通常在公眾場合或特殊活動中使用，如演講、儀式、會議或學術研討會等。

演講辭的目的是通過有組織、有力和有說服力的言辭，向聽眾傳達特定的信息、觀點、理念或感情。

如果您想在DSE Writing取得Level 5+ 成績，小編建議您同時閱讀另一篇文章關於 Debate Speech 格式 ，是關於Debate Speech部份的更新版本。 裏面有詳細解釋以及滿分範文 ！

Speech 格式 1. Greeting

DSE Speech Greeting 打招呼

Greeting 是演講中的第一部分，它能為整個演講設定基調，並與聽眾建立連結。

Greeting 打招呼的作用包括：

建立關係 ：向聽眾問候能營造友好和歡迎的氛圍，讓聽眾感到更舒適和投入。這有助於在演講者和聽眾之間建立積極的關係。

表示尊重 ：問候是對聽眾的尊重的表達。它承認他們的存在，感謝他們的時間和關注。這表明演講者重視聽眾的參與，視他們為重要的個體。

創造共融感 ：透過問候聽眾，演講者承認聽眾的多樣性和集體存在。這有助於培養團結和包容感，讓每個人都感到參與其中，成為活動或場合的一部分。

Good morning Principal, teachers and my fellow schoolmates, Ladies and gentlemen, Distinguished guests, Honorable members of the audience, Good morning/afternoon/evening, I hope you are all doing well on this [insert day and date].

Speech 格式 2. 開頭/引言

Speech 開頭寫作技巧

開頭部分是你與聽眾建立聯繫的機會。

通過表明你的身份和對演講主題的熱情，你可以向聽眾展示你的專業知識、經驗或者與主題相關的故事，這有助於建立信任和共鳴。

透過營造一種與聽眾的共同感與連結，你能夠增強他們對你的演講的信心和興趣。

Step 1: 表明身份 (視乎情況，有時候不需要)

當你表明自己的身份時，聽眾會對你的專業知識和經驗產生信任和認可。這有助於建立你與聽眾之間的信任關係，讓他們更願意接受你的觀點和意見。

As a medical researcher with over 10 years of experience, I have dedicated my career to finding innovative solutions to improve healthcare outcomes. 作為一名擁有超過10年經驗的醫學研究員，我將我的職業生涯致力於尋找創新解決方案，以改善醫療保健的結果。

As an environmental activist, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of pollution on our planet, and it is my mission to raise awareness and drive change for a sustainable future. 作為一名環境活動家，我親眼目睹了污染對我們的地球所帶來的毀滅性影響，我的使命是提高意識，推動改變，為可持續的未來而努力。

Step 2: 激發聽眾好奇心

在寫引言時，我們可以採用多種策略，例如：

引用名人名言或相關的歷史事件，以吸引聽眾的興趣和共鳴。

As Albert Einstein once said , ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge.’ This quote not only captures the essence of creative thinking but also resonates with the idea that curiosity drives progress. 正如阿爾伯特·愛因斯坦曾經說過的：“想像力比知識更重要。”這句名言不僅捕捉了創造性思維的本質，也呼應了好奇心推動進步的觀念。

提出一個引人入勝的故事或個人經歷，使聽眾能夠在情感上與演講者建立聯繫。

Let me share with you a captivating personal story that has shaped my perspective on perseverance . It was a moment of triumph over adversity that taught me the true meaning of resilience. 讓我與你分享一個引人入勝的個人故事，它塑造了我對毅力的觀點。那是一個在逆境中取得勝利的時刻，教會了我堅韌的真正含義。

引用令人驚訝或引人深思的事實或統計數據，以引發聽眾的好奇心和思考。

Did you know that a single act of kindness has the power to create a ripple effect, impacting not only the recipient but also those who witness it? This astonishing fact highlights the potential for positive change within each of us.

你知道嗎，一次善行有著創造漣漪效應的力量，不僅影響受助者，還影響目睹這一切的人？這個令人驚訝的事實凸顯了我們每個人內在積極變革的潛力。

提出一個引人注目的問題，激發聽眾的思考和參與。

Have you ever pondered the significance of failure in the journey towards success? What if I told you that failure is not the opposite of success but a stepping stone towards it? This thought-provoking question challenges us to reshape our perception of failure and embrace it as a valuable learning experience. 你曾經思考過在成功之路上失敗的意義嗎？如果我告訴你，失敗不是成功的對立面，而是通向成功的墊腳石呢？這個引人注目的問題挑戰我們重新塑造對失敗的看法，並將其視為寶貴的學習經驗。

Step 3: 進入主題

進入主題的過程可以幫助聽眾進入演講的內容和主題。

它提供了一個平滑的過渡，使聽眾能夠理解演講的目的和重點，並準備好接受進一步的訊息。

同時進入主題幫助你在演講中明確設定焦點。

透過提供一個簡明扼要的介紹，你可以讓聽眾知道你將要討論的內容和主題，並且避免他們在演講中迷失方向或感到困惑。

Without further ado , let’s dive right into it. In today’s speech, I’d like to highlight 3 major points, including A, B and C. 廢話少說，直接深入討論。在今天的演講中，我想要強調三個主要點，包括A、B和C。

Imagine a world where clean energy powers our cities, and future generations can thrive in a sustainable environment. 想像一個清潔能源驅動城市的世界，未來的世代可以在可持續的環境中茁壯成長。

Did you know that approximately one-third of all food produced globally goes to waste? It’s time for us to take action and address this pressing issue. 你知道全球約三分之一的食物被浪費了嗎？是時候讓我們采取行動，解決這個迫切的問題了。

Speech 格式 3. 內文

Speech 內文寫作技巧

Speech內容最重要的是確定演講的結構，包括開場白、主要內容和結語。使用有邏輯的論述、主題句等，幫助聽眾更容易理解和跟隨你的論點。

Step 1 主題句 

主題句是一個段落中最重要的句子，它概括了整個段落的主題和重點。寫作時，確定一個明確的主題句可以幫助您更好地組織您的想法，並使您的段落更加清晰和易於理解。

Effective communication empowers teams to achieve their goals and drive success. 有效溝通使團隊能夠實現目標並成功。

Education equips individuals with knowledge and skills necessary for personal growth and professional development. 教育為個人成長和職業發展提供所需的知識和技能。

Step 2 RICE 

• R – Reasons
• I – Impact
• C – Compare
• E – Examples

透過這4個嚮導， 大家便可以提升內容全面性。

當然不一定要所有4各方向都全用！

主題句 Topic Sentence

Moreover, grades can have detrimental effects on students’ mental health and well-being. 此外，成績會對學生的心理健康和福祉產生不利影響。

The intense pressure to achieve high grades leads to stress, anxiety, and burnout. 取得高分的巨大壓力會導致壓力、焦慮和倦怠。

Students become more focused on chasing grades rather than pursuing genuine learning and intellectual curiosity. 學生變得更專注於追求成績，而不是追求真正的學習和求知欲。

總結句應該要結合主要論點，回顧你在演講中提到的主要論點。這可以幫助你向聽眾強調你的核心訊息，並提醒他們你所討論的重點。

另外，在總結句中強調你的主要論點的重要性和價值。你可以談論它們對個人、社會或組織的影響，以及為什麼這些觀點或建議是值得被重視的。

As you can see , it is crucial that we prioritize sustainable development and find innovative solutions to combat environmental challenges. 如你所見，我們必須優先考慮可持續發展，並找到創新解決方案來應對環境挑戰。

To wrap up , let us remember that small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on individuals and society as a whole. 總結來說，讓我們記住小小的善舉對個人和整個社會都能產生深遠的影響。

Speech 內文搶分位

上述的技巧已經可以協助你寫出結構嚴謹的speech內文段落。

不過，如果您想取高分 5/5*/5**

你還需要speech的獨特搶分位……

If we violate school rules, we will receive punishment like staying after school while teachers meet our parents. 如果我們違反學校規定，我們將受到懲罰，例如留校等待老師與我們的家長會面。

Do you want to spend your precious time  staying in a vacant classroom to wait for the end of your punishment or playing basketball happily with your friends on the basketball court (情景)? 你想要將寶貴的時間浪費在一個空教室裡等待懲罰結束，還是在籃球場上與朋友們快樂地打籃球呢？

It is important for us to follow the school rules in order to have an enjoyable school life.  遵守學校規定對於擁有愉快的校園生活是非常重要的。

• Have you wondered why 句子? 
• What would you do if you were me?

As a former student at ABC College, I’m quite sure you haven’t pondered over these benefits but I think we will be more confident and when gaining peer recognition and acceptance, won’t we? 作為 ABC 學院的前學生，我很確定您沒有考慮過這些好處，但我認為當我們獲得同行的認可和接受時，我們會更加自信，不是嗎？

• I bet all of you share a similar experience.
• At this point, you probably wonder 名詞
• You may wonder why 句子

畫面大法 + (排比句)

Our school doesn’t allow using mobile phones during lessons. Following the school rules can lead us to success. Imagine when you are concentrating in class, some annoying sound from a mobile phone distracts you (畫面大法). 我們學校不允許在課堂上使用手機。遵守學校規定可以帶領我們走向成功。想像一下，當你在課堂上專心學習時，一部手機傳來的煩人聲音分散了你的注意力。 You can imagine the joy of hanging out with friends; you can imagine the joy of working hard together; you can imagine the joy of achieving common goals. (排比句) 你可以想像和朋友一起出去的快樂；你可以想像一起努力工作的快樂；你可以想像實現共同目標的快樂。

Picture this scene: a group of naughty students are eating when the teacher is talking；some classmates are using their phones while others are conducting an experiment in the laboratory；several boys are using foul languages when chatting (畫面大法). 想像這樣的場景：一群調皮的學生正在吃東西，老師正在說話； 有的同學在玩手機，有的同學在實驗室做實驗； 幾個男孩在聊天時使用粗言穢語 。 What do you think? Would  you like to study in such a school? Do you want your schoolmates to be one of them? (類似排比句，連續三個問題) 你怎麼認為？ 你想在這樣的學校學習嗎？ 你希望你的同學成為他們中的一員嗎？

與觀眾互動/留意觀眾反應

Speech很強調與聽眾互動。除了問問題外，我們還可以留意觀眾的反應。

Great, I see that many of you are shaking your heads. 太好了，我看到你們很多人都在搖頭。

Speech 格式 4. 結論

Speech 結尾寫作技巧

在一篇出色的英文演講辭中，結論部分非常重要，其功能在於總結觀點，讓聽眾對今次的主題留下深刻的印象。

因此，結論部分可以先回顧一下正文中提到的主要觀點，再次強調自己的立場，接著感謝觀眾的耐心聆聽和主辦方的邀請，最後為主題或觀眾寄語。

Step 1: 回顧内容

在結論部分的開始，回顧一下你在演講中涵蓋的主要內容。簡要概括演講的重點和要點，以便讓聽眾記住你所傳達的訊息。這是一個提醒聽眾的好方法，同時也有助於鞏固你的觀點。

In conclusion , we’ve discussed the importance of environmental conservation and the role that each and every one of us plays in preserving our planet .  總結來說，我們已經討論了環境保護的重要性，以及每個人在保護我們的地球中所扮演的角色。

Step 2: 希望在明天

在結論中，表達你對未來的期望和願景。分享你對解決問題、實現目標或改善狀況的希望。這將激發聽眾的積極性，並讓他們感到你對未來的信心。

My hope is that today’s discussion has inspired you to take action , and to become more mindful of the impact your actions have on the environment.  我希望今天的討論能激勵您採取行動，並更加留意您的行為對環境的影響。

Step 3: 感謝觀衆

結論部分的最後，向觀眾表達感謝之情。感謝他們的聆聽和參與，並強調他們的重要性。這是一個禮貌和感激的方式，向他們傳達你對他們的關注和尊重。

Once again, thank you for being here today , and for your commitment to creating a better world. 再次感謝您今天的參與，以及您對創造更美好世界的承諾。

DSE Writing Speech 3大原則

相信大家都不會陌生了，又是我們的老朋友 – 語境意識。

由於是演講辭，一般而言它的作用在於向一群聽眾發表演說，所以它所採取的為informal的格式，不會在用詞或寫作上過份認真和深究。

Just go for it! Stay tuned!  Don’t waver.

可以說，它其中的一個目的報求令到演講者能夠成功傳達訊息外，聽眾也不會睡著。

當然演講辭也有機會被用作一個嚴肅莊嚴的場合所以寫作時也不能過份輕鬆，必先留意題目給予的角色再作定論。

無錯，大家無聽錯就是搞笑。基於演講辭不是一篇formal的寫作，而且需要吸引既定聽眾的注意力，所以不會有更好的方法能夠達成目標，除了搞笑。

不過要切記，這裏所提及的搞笑並不是你現實生活中所開的玩笑。

畢竟你在寫作的時候，你身處於一個考試之中，所以你必須考慮你所寫的這個玩笑，改卷老師是否能看懂。

因此最佳的建議狀況，是寫作一些並不好笑但輕鬆易明的玩笑，務求向改卷老師展現你有寫作演講辭的寫作技巧而且他不會誤會你。

例如在玩笑過後加上一句 “ Just kidding ”這樣便可以萬無一失了。

青少年，時時刻刻都要保持好奇心，要做「問題青年」，而寫作演講辭就是一個好好的途徑去抒發你的問題。

除了搞笑，問問題引起別人的思考也是吸引聽眾注意力的一個方法。

問題可以加在演講辭的任何一個部分，可以是開首利用問題引起注意，也可以是內文部分問問題加強聽眾的共鳴，也可以在文末問問題引起反思和扣題。

透過問問題，你的演講辭便能夠進一步展現互動性不會過於沉悶及單一。

Have you heard of …? Do you know..?  Have you ever thought of …?

總括而言，演講辭的寫作雖然輕鬆，但是有很多值得注意的地方可以區分出你的寫作與他人的分別。

最重要的還是熟讀題目按題目的要求寫出合適的演講辭， 而加上不同的元素配合主題。

能夠隨機應變，配合不同主題而寫作才是考驗你們的功力所在。

DSE Speech 範文

DSE English Speech Sample

是次範文是取自 2021 DSE Writing Part A 5** speech 滿分42/42範文

DSE Speech 範文 題目

You are helping your school organize the annual school fair. You have been ask to make an announcement about the event during the morning assembly.

Use the poster below to help you write your announcement. In your announcement:

• Introduce the event.
• Describe some of the activities that will take place.
• Let students know how they can help out

2021 DSE Writing Part A 部份一

Good morning, Principal, teachers and fellow students.

2021 DSE Writing Part A 部份二

If I were to ask you what the large tragedy of 2020 was, what would you say? Perhaps the unfortunate cancellation of the annual school fair last year?

Well, if that’s the case, fear not, as I am incredibly proud to announce that our annual school fair will be making a comeback on 29th May 2021 from 12 pm to 4 pm! So, why should you go? Listen on to find out! 

2021 DSE Writing Part A 部份三

The day will start with a “bang” at the food stalls, so forget lunch and come stuff yourself silly instead! Our Home Economic club has been teasing us with utterly delectable Takoyaki balls, filled to the brim with fresh octopus, covered with a truly decadent mozzarella and goat cheese sauce.

Be careful, or else you might find yourself literally speechless and tongue-tied by octopus tentacle – that’s just how fresh they are (just kidding)! Have an insatiable sweet tooth?

Check out the dessert booth and be on the lookout for the chocolate custard tarts, with a scrumptious core of white chocolate. Bon appetit! 

2021 DSE Writing Part A 部份五

In addition to the mouthwatering food and exhilarating alumni football match, the school fair offers a plethora of engaging activities that cater to everyone’s interests. For those who appreciate art and creativity, the art exhibition is a must-visit. Our talented students have poured their hearts and souls into their artworks, showcasing their unique perspectives and artistic skills. From vibrant paintings to intricate sculptures, the exhibition is a testament to the creativity and talent that thrives within our school community. Take a moment to immerse yourself in the beauty and thought- provoking messages conveyed through these captivating pieces of art.

2021 DSE Writing Part A 部份六

Moreover, if you are a fan of live performances, the stage area will be brimming with captivating acts throughout the day. Our school’s music club will showcase their melodious tunes, encompassing a wide range of genres to cater to diverse musical preferences. From soulful ballads to energetic pop hits, the performances will leave you captivated and tapping your feet in rhythm. Additionally, the drama club will take the stage, presenting an enthralling play that promises to transport you to a world of imagination and storytelling. Be prepared to be enthralled by the talents and dedication of our fellow students, who have poured countless hours into perfecting their performances.

2021 DSE Writing Part A 部份七

In conclusion, the revival of our annual school fair is a momentous occasion that brings together our school community in a celebration of talent, camaraderie, and enjoyment. From the tantalising food stalls to the exhilarating alumni football match, the fair offers a wide array of activities that cater to diverse interests. It provides an opportunity for students, teachers, and alumni to connect, reminisce, and create lasting memories. So mark your calendars and join us on 29th May 2021 from 12 pm to 4 pm for an unforgettable day filled with laughter, delicious food, captivating performances, and the spirit of togetherness. Let us embrace the joy and excitement that the school fair brings, and make this year’s event a resounding success. See you there!

如果大家有什麼英文問題，如Spencer Lam, 好唔好咁樣學英文呀? 或者IELTS考試，成人英文/商業英文的知識及英文資源，歡迎你可以隨時再跟我多交流一下，可以Follow 「Spencer Lam English Team」  Facebook page 同 IG 得到更多英文資訊，亦都可以上  https://spencerlam.hk/  了解更多!

DSE English Paper 2 範文

• 2022 DSE English Writing題目
• 2021 DSE English Writing題目
• 2020 DSE English Writing題目
• 2019 DSE English Writing題目
• 2018 DSE English Writing題目
• 2017 DSE English Writing題目
• 2016 DSE English Writing題目
• 2015 DSE English Writing題目
• 2014 DSE English Writing題目
• 2013 DSE English Writing題目
• 2012 DSE English Writing題目

DSE writing 所有文體 全攻略

• Blog Entry 攻略
• Debate Speech 格式
• Letter of Advice 攻略
• Letter of Complaint 攻略
• Letter to the Editor 攻略
• Proposal 攻略

DSE Writing 攻略

• DSE Writing 全攻略
• DSE writing 字數
• DSE writing 計分方法
• 138 個 DSE writing vocab
• DSE Sentence Structure
• DSE 英文連接詞【懶人列表】

英文Lv.3補底保證班

4卷技巧 x 操練，以最穩陣嘅手段幫你英文拎Lv3

• 4卷100% 實用最重點Lv.3 考試技巧 及必背詞彙
• 策略性 操練B2 及 針對性 操B1

好亂呀！Anyway、Anyways同Any Way分別係邊？

【pronouns 】英語代名詞：了解代名詞的基本用法和種類, last minute 小寶藏 — the vocabulary you dser must acquire, dse writing — one-sided argumentative essays, writing skills for dse writing (2), 免費送你 dse writing mock 卷！.

P.S. 我們不定時會透過電郵向你提供有用英文電子報或E-Book。請留意電子郵箱！