Speaking: Functional Language C1
Debating Complex Issues Persuasively
The Anatomy of a C1-Level Argument 🏛️
A truly persuasive argument is a fortress. It's not only strong on its own, but it's also built to defend against attacks. This means anticipating and dismantling counter-arguments before they are even made using the "Anticipate & Refute" structure.
State Your Contention
Begin with a strong, clear statement of your position.
"It is my firm contention that..." / "The position I will be arguing today is that..."
Acknowledge the Counter-Argument
Address the most likely opposing view first. This shows the audience you've considered both sides.
"Now, I recognize that some will argue that..." / "A common objection to this is..."
Refute the Counter-Argument
Explain why the opposing view is flawed, weak, or less important than your point.
"However, this argument is flawed because it overlooks..." / "While that may be true to an extent, it fails to consider..."
Provide Your Evidence
After dismantling the counter-argument, present the evidence for your own position.
"The evidence, in fact, demonstrates that..." / "Let's look at the facts."
Scenario: A Model Argument
Motion: "This house believes that Artificial Intelligence will create more jobs than it destroys."
Listen to the first speaker for the affirmative side. Notice how she uses the four-step structure.
"Good evening. It is my firm contention that, far from being a threat, Artificial Intelligence will ultimately be the most powerful engine for job creation in human history.
Now, I know the primary argument my opponents will make. They will paint a grim picture of robots replacing human workers, pointing to job losses in fields like data entry and manufacturing. And while it's true that some roles will become obsolete, this viewpoint rests on a fundamental misunderstanding of technological progress. It sees only the loss and fails to see the creation.
This argument overlooks the historical precedent. The Industrial Revolution displaced weavers, but it created millions of jobs for engineers. The internet displaced travel agents, but it created millions of jobs for software developers. The evidence, in fact, shows that AI is already creating new roles that were unimaginable a decade ago: AI ethicists, data scientists, machine learning engineers. Therefore, to fear AI is to fear the very nature of progress itself."
Advanced Techniques & Practice 🎯
💡 The Language of Rebuttal
When responding directly to an opponent in a live debate, use precise language to challenge their argument.
- To challenge their logic: "My opponent's argument is based on a false premise." / "There is a fundamental flaw in that line of reasoning."
- To challenge their evidence: "The data they cited is outdated and doesn't reflect the current reality." / "While that single anecdote is moving, it is not representative of the broader trend."
🧠 Practice Quiz: Identify the Debating Tactic
1. "While my opponent has focused on the short-term costs of this policy, they have completely ignored the catastrophic long-term costs of inaction."
A) Agreeing with the opponent.
B) Acknowledging and refuting a counter-argument.
C) Using a personal anecdote.
→ Answer: B. The speaker acknowledges the opponent's point ("short-term costs") but then refutes it by highlighting a more important, overlooked factor ("long-term costs").
2. "So, are we to believe that this problem will simply solve itself? History teaches us that it will not."
A) Stating a clear contention.
B) Using a rhetorical question to challenge a viewpoint.
C) Citing statistical evidence.
→ Answer: B. The speaker asks a question not to get an answer, but to expose the weakness of an opposing viewpoint (the idea of doing nothing).
Key Vocabulary
- Debate To engage in a formal argument where opposing viewpoints are put forward.
- Persuasively In a way that convinces someone to believe something through reasoning.
- Contention A formal assertion; a statement that you argue is true.
- Refute To prove that a statement or theory is wrong or false.
- Premise An assertion or proposition which forms the basis for an argument or theory.
Your Mission: The "One-Point Debate" Challenge ⭐
Your mission is to build a single, robust argumentative point.
- Choose a debate topic (e.g., "Social media connects us more than it divides us.").
- Choose one side to argue (e.g., you will argue that it connects us).
- Structure one complete argument (60-90 seconds) using the four steps:
- 1. Your Contention
- 2. Acknowledge the Counter-Argument
- 3. Refute the Counter-Argument
- 4. Your Evidence
- Record yourself delivering your argument. Focus on a confident, formal tone and use pauses for effect.