Some Useful Expressions for the Debate

For the Introduction Stage you can use these structures:

We are going to argue against/for the idea that…
We believe that … for three reasons:
The first reason is that…
The second reason is that…
The third reason is that…
We quite agree (that/with the idea that)…
We think …
We feel that…
As far as we are concerned…

For the Question & Answer Stage you can use these structures:
Could you explain that with more details?
If I am not mistaken, you mean that…
Do you mean that…?
Are you sure of that?
We find that hard to believe.
Do you think that…?
What do you feel/think about…?
Why do you think that…?
What makes you feel that…?
What I am trying to say is…
I am absolutely certain that...

For the Rebuttal Stage you can use these structures:

You said that… but we think…
We agree/disagree with the opinion that…
We see your point, but…
We think your idea is wrong because…
Your idea is not realistic in that…
It is true that…but…
The opposing team has just stated X. Unfortunately, we have to disagree. Because…
Yes, but don’t forget that…
That would be great, except…
That may be true, but…
You may be right, but…
Just because… that doesn’t mean (that)…
The idea that you mentioned has nothing to do with the topic.

To conclude the Rebuttal Stage you can use these structures:

For these reason our conclusion is that…
To sum up…
To put in a nutshell,…
In short,…

HU/SFL/DBE/Curriculum Unit
You can use the table below to prepare for a debate:

The Introduction Stage The Question & Answer Stage The Rebuttal Stage

What are we going to say? What are they likely to ask? What will be the opposing
What can we ask them? team’s arguments?
How are we going to answer? How can we rebut them?

HU/SFL/DBE/Curriculum Unit