Vaping debate

Vaping debate

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about examples of debating techniques.
Following are extracts from a debate on the issue of vaping. 
Read the statement in speech marks (") then provide an explanation of what the words are doing.
The first one is done for you.
 
Attacking the person: "We have just had to suffer through a slight and silly argument from the rather sleepy affirmative team."
 
Explanation:
This is criticising the speaker instead of what they have said.

Question 1Change answer

Limited example: "My uncle vapes regularly and he has perfect health."
 
Explanation:

Question 1Change answer

Empathy/empathise: "Now we all know Hone. We like him and we're proud of his achievements, but he is just one person."
 
Explanation:

Question 1Change answer

Empty argument: "If everyone in the world stopped vaping, then ..."
 
Explanation:

Question 1Change answer

Rebuttal: "Another point they made was that vaping is just a phase teenagers go through.
This is not right because ... "
 
Explanation:

Question 1Change answer

Refute: "They said that there are no warnings about the dangers of vaping. 
That is not true. 
The Health NZ website has information about the risks of vaping."
 
Explanation:

Question 1Change answer

Irrelevant conclusion: "Let me conclude: I don't vape, and my debating teammates don't vape, so that proves our case."
 
Explanation:

Question 1Change answer

Name a situation, apart from debating, in which an understanding of these features of argument could help you.
i) Situation
 
ii) Explain how understanding these features could help you.
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
English, Creating meaning, Speaking
Key Competencies: 
Using language, symbols, and texts
Keywords: 
debating, techniques, rhetoric
Description of task: 
The language of debating is assessed as students provide explanations of emotional argument, limited example, empathy, empty argument, rebuttal, refutation, and irrelevant conclusion.
Answers/responses: 
 
Y10 (09/2002)
a)   Criticising the speaker instead of what they have said. given
b)   Argument based on feelings, not logic.
difficult
c)   An example that applies in only a few situations, so cannot be a general argument. difficult
d)   Understand and have feelings for (someone). very difficult
e)   An argument that has no real reasons to support it. difficult
f)   To argue against the opponents' case. difficult
g)   To prove something is wrong (does not mean disagree). difficult
h)   An idea claimed, wrongly, to be proven by the arguments put forward. very difficult
i) i)
 
 
 
ii)		 Any 1 of:

Listening to persuasive salespeople/politicians/advertisements.

Any 1 of:

  • Can see and understand when we are being manipulated/persuaded unfairly.
  • Can defend ourselves against those who try to deceive us.
  • Can bring clarity to our thinking.

difficult
 
 
 
difficult