Discover Debate

This book is an answer to a much debated question: “Is debate possible for low level learners?” We have tried to answer strongly in the affirmative. However, we feel stron 이 y that it is necessary to take a somewhat different approach to debate for low level learners. New concepts and methodologies are required. These are the concepts that have proven successful for us. We hope they, in turn, will be successful for you. Stepping Stones Toward Debate First, this book recognizes that debate is a very sophisticated form of immediate, interactive communication. Debate assumes a high level of discourse skill. Thus, although the goal of the book is debate, Unit 1 begins not with debate but with exchanging opinions. We assume nothing and start from zero. From there, we have paved the way to debate with 9 small, but necessary, steps (units) that can be taken in stride by beginners. This journey is a road of discovery, hence the title of the book. Along the way, we learn how to support opinions with reasons, how to support reasons with evidence, and how to organize information into a coherent message. Continuing down the road, we learn how to refute explanations, how to challenge evidence, and how to organize refutations into a coherent message. Finally, we learn how to make rebuttal arguments, and then, at the end of the journey, we are ready to discover and enjoy debate.