Speaking: Functional Language C1 - Lesson 1: Debating Complex Issues Persuasively

C1

Persuasive Debate

ការជជែកដេញដោល

🎯 Objective / គោលបំណង:

Disagree without being disagreeable. Use the "Steel Man" tactic to validate, then dismantle an argument.

🔥 Topic: Universal Basic Income (UBI)

Opponent (The Argument) "Giving people free money is dangerous. It will kill productivity. If people get a check every month, they will stop working and become lazy."

You (The C1 Rebuttal)

1. Validate (Steel Man): "I completely understand that fear. It is intuitive to think that without the *pressure* to earn, motivation might drop."

2. The Pivot: "However, the evidence suggests otherwise."

3. The Counter-Point: "In nearly every pilot program, people didn't stop working. They used the security to take risks—like starting businesses or returning to school. The 'lazy' argument, while logical on paper, just doesn't hold up in reality."

How to Win an Argument

Don't attack. Disassemble.

1. The "Steel Man" ទទួលស្គាល់ចំណុចខ្លាំង

State their argument better than they did. Prove you understand.
"That is a valid concern..."
"I see why you would think that..."

2. The Pivot ការបង្វែរ

Use a strong contrast marker.
"That being said..."
"However, when we look closer..."

3. The Dismantle ការបំបែកហេតុផល

Provide specific evidence (Logic/Data/Experience).
"The data actually shows..."
"In practice, what happens is..."

4. The Impact សេចក្តីសន្និដ្ឋាន

Explain why your point matters.
"Therefore, the risk is minimal."

Select the C1 Response

Argument: "Remote work ruins company culture. We need everyone back in the office."

A. "No, you are wrong. Remote work is great."

B. "I agree that face-to-face interaction is vital for culture. However, forcing people back might actually damage morale more than remote work does."

C. "I don't like the office. It's too loud."

Argument: "AI will destroy all jobs."

A. "The fear of displacement is historically common. That being said, every technological revolution has created more jobs than it destroyed."

B. "AI is good. It helps us work faster."