IMPROVE YOUR ORAL SKILLS: DIALOGUE, ARGUMENT AND DEBATE First some definitions: When two or more people are talking together, we call it a conversation. A conversation may be about anything, and typically it may wander from topic to topic. If, however, the conversation becomes serious and focused on a particular topic, we call it a discussion. In a discussion people may agree or not agree. If a discussion becomes heated, though, we call it an argument. But the word argument also has another meaning, the same meaning it has in Norwegian – as when someone “puts forward good arguments for their point of view”. A debate is a discussion between opposing viewpoints that follows certain rules. For example, when politicians discuss issues in parliament, we call it a debate. When we take part in a discussion, an argument or a debate, we have to be able to do different things with our language – like making suggestions, expressing opinions, expressing agreement or disagreement. Below is a list of some of the language we can use to do this in English:
Making suggestions Let’s… How about…?
Why don’t we…? We could always…
More formal: May I suggest that… It is my proposal that…
Expressing an opinion I think… The way I see it… To my mind…
I feel… I’d say that… If you ask me…
More formal: In my opinion/view… I take the view that… I’d like to point out that… I’m absolutely convinced that… I strongly believe that… I have no doubt that… Important: Notice that I mean can’t be used in English in the sense my opinion is.
Expressing agreement Yes, I (quite) agree. That’s true.
I’d go along with that. I see your point.
Stronger expressions: You’re absolutely right. I totally agree. I couldn’t agree more. Dead right! (informal)
Expressing disagreement (I’m afraid) I don’t agree. I’m not sure I agree with you there. I don’t accept that. That may be so, but… Yes, but don’t you think that… That’s not entirely true. Stronger expressions: Oh, come on! That’s ridiculous! What absolute nonsense! More formal: I simply can’t agree with you there. I disagree entirely.
Chapter 3 THORNS AND ROSES
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