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How to Improve Your Vocabulary

Improving one's vocabulary is a valuable skill that enhances communication, comprehension, and overall cognitive abilities. Here are some effective strategies to expand your vocabulary:

Read Widely: Reading books, newspapers, magazines, and online articles exposes you to diverse words and contexts. Aim to read materials from various genres and time periods to encounter new vocabulary.

Keep a Vocabulary Journal: Maintain a journal to jot down unfamiliar words encountered during your reading. Include their definitions, example sentences, and try to use them in your own writing and conversations.

Use Vocabulary Apps: Numerous smartphone apps offer daily word challenges and quizzes, making learning new words engaging and interactive.

Contextual Learning: Pay attention to how words are used in sentences. Understanding their context helps you grasp their meanings and usage nuances.

Play Word Games: Engage in word games like Scrabble, crossword puzzles, or word searches. These activities make learning fun and reinforce your memory.

Join a Book Club or Discussion Group: Participating in group discussions exposes you to diverse perspectives and vocabulary.

Learn a Word a Day: Challenge yourself to learn and incorporate one new word into your daily conversations or writing.

Practice Writing: Regularly write essays, stories, or journal entries. The act of writing encourages you to explore different words and phrases.

Engage in Conversations: Engaging in meaningful conversations with others allows you to practice using new words and reinforces your understanding of their meanings.

Seek Feedback: Ask friends or mentors to provide feedback on your vocabulary usage and suggest improvements.

Remember that improving your vocabulary is an ongoing process. Consistency and curiosity are key. Gradually, you'll find yourself expressing thoughts more precisely and eloquently while also enjoying the richness of language.

DEBATE WRITING


A debate is the formal discussion or argument on a particular matter delivered in favour of or against a subject in a disciplined strong, convincing and refuting manner. Nature of the debate is argumentative.

DISTRIBUTION OF MARKS
  • FORMAT : 1 Mark, 
  • CONTENT : 2 Marks, 
  • EXPRESSION : 2 Marks
FORMAT
  • Greeting, Salutation, Addressing the audience, Introduction of the topic–For or Against, debate speech, complimentary close
CONTENT
  • Facts about the topic – cause and effects of the issue
  • Data and examples/ real input
  • Contradiction to opponent's views- to oppose the opponent's statement
  • Conclusion by giving own views
EXPRESSION
  • Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings : 1 MARKS
  • Coherence and relevance of ideas and style : 1 MARKS
COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE
  • Thank you for your patient listening.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
  • Introduction should be very impressive, possibly with a quotation or extract from a poem, etc.
  • Give reasons in favour or against the motion
  • Support your argument with facts and statistics
  • Counter your opponent’s arguments / attack / deny his claims referring to the speech given, during the (Rebuttal)
  • Give your own opinion. Strike a note of warning, make an appeal or express a doubt or fear.
  • Conclude with finality, as if what you are saying is the ultimate for the end should be dramatically effective.

Expressions to be used 

I'd like to argue..............................................
At this point I differ from my worthy opponents .....................
May I ask a very genuine questions from my opponent why/how ............
I totally disagree with my opponent ....................................
I fail to understand....
I would like to point out....
I am surprised at my opponent‟s ignorance.
I wholeheartedly reject the contention.
I totally disagree with the view.
I wish to emphasize.

Beginning 

  • Dear audience, Welcome to all in this healthy and joyous morning,

Style 1:

  • Respected judges, principal, teachers and friends, I am going to present my views for / against the motion ......................................

Style 2

  • Respected Chair person, members of jury, worthy opponents. Myself, ...(Name) ............. of class XII is going to speak against/for the motion on the topic .........................................................

Style 3

  • Honourable judges and my dear friends, today I stand before you to express my views in favour or against the motion .......................................................................................

How to end a debate?

  • Therefore, in the end, I would like to end my debate by strongly supporting/ opposing the idea of ..................................................... 
  • Thank you

Example 1

“A career counsellor (not you, yourself) is the best person to guide you in the choice of a career.” Write a debate in 150-200 words either for or against the motion. [CBSE (AI) 2017]

FOR THE MOTION

Respected judges, honorable opponents, and fellow debaters,

I stand before you today to strongly advocate for the motion that a career counselor is the best person to guide individuals in the choice of a career. In today's rapidly evolving world, making the right career choice is more critical than ever, and career counselors are uniquely equipped to provide invaluable assistance.

First and foremost, career counselors possess specialized knowledge and expertise in the field of career development. They are well-versed in the latest industry trends, educational pathways, and job market dynamics. This knowledge enables them to provide personalized guidance tailored to an individual's strengths, interests, and goals.

Furthermore, career counselors employ a variety of assessment tools and techniques to help individuals better understand themselves. They facilitate aptitude tests, personality assessments, and skill evaluations, allowing clients to gain deeper insights into their own abilities and preferences. This self-awareness is crucial for making informed career decisions.

Moreover, career counselors offer unbiased advice. They do not have personal vested interests or biases that may influence the advice they provide. Their primary concern is the well-being and success of their clients.

In conclusion, the role of a career counselor in guiding individuals toward the right career path cannot be overstated. Their knowledge, expertise, and objectivity make them the best-suited individuals to help people navigate the complex and ever-changing world of career choices. Therefore, I urge you to support the motion that a career counselor is indeed the best person to guide individuals in the choice of a career. 

Thank you.

AGAINST THE MOTION

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed judges, and fellow debaters,

I am here to argue against the motion that a career counselor is the best person to guide individuals in the choice of a career. While career counselors can provide valuable insights, they should not be seen as the sole or best authority in this regard.

Firstly, career counselors often have limited knowledge of specific industries or niche career paths. They may offer general advice but may not be able to provide the detailed, up-to-date information that an industry professional can. When it comes to making informed decisions about specialized fields, individuals should consult with those who have firsthand experience.

Secondly, the idea of a "best" person to guide you in career choices is subjective. Career decisions are deeply personal and can be influenced by factors beyond just professional considerations, such as personal values, passions, and life circumstances. Only the individual can truly understand the full spectrum of these factors.

Lastly, career counselors may not always be accessible or affordable for everyone. Many individuals may not have access to professional career counseling services, making it unrealistic to consider them the best option for career guidance.

In conclusion, while career counselors can offer valuable insights, they should not be considered the unequivocal best option for career guidance. The choice of a career is a complex, individualized decision that requires input from multiple sources, including industry professionals, mentors, and one's own introspection. It is ultimately the individual who should be at the center of this decision-making process.

Thank you.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

  1. Migration from villages to cities has led to the spread of urban slums. People living %in these slums lead a miserable life. Economic disparity leads to the problems of law and order. Write a debate in 150-200 words on ‘Solution to the problem of misery in the urban slums lies in creating jobs in the villages’. You are Navtej/Navita. [CBSE (AI) 2015]
  2. Write a debate either for or against the motion: ‘Courses in Humanities provide a better scope in career than Sciences’. (Comptt. All India 2017)Write a debate either for or against the motion: Hard work, not Intelligence paves the way to success in life. (Comptt. All 2017)
  3. Write a debate either for or against the motion: Laziness and not bad luck is the only obstacle in one’s success in life.(Comptt. Delhi 2017)
  4. You are Ram/Rajani, participating in a debate. Write a debate either for or against the motion: ‘Hard work, and not only good luck helps us to achieve success in Hie’.(Comptt. D 2017)
  5. Write a debate either for or against the motion: ‘Participation in sports is a mere wastage of time’. (150-200 avoids). (Comptt. D)
  6. Write a debate in 150-200 words either for or against the motion, ‘Capital Punishment should be abolished’. [CBSE 2019]
  7. ‘The internet cannot replace a classroom teacher’. Write a debate in 150-200 words either for or against the motion. [CBSE (AI) 2016]
  8. ‘Brain drain is not a bane for a developing country like India’. Write a debate in 150-200 words either for or against the motion. [CBSE (AI) 2016]
  9. ‘The policy of no detention till Class VIII is not in the interest of students.’ Write a debate in 150-200 words either in favour of or against the motion. [CBSE Delhi 2016]
  10. ‘Rising prices can be controlled only by the government.’ Write a debate in 150-200 Words either for or against the motion. [CBSE Delhi 2016]
  11. ‘The policy of reservation of seats for admission to the professional courses is good for the deprived sections of society.’ Write a debate in 150-200 words either for or against the motion. [CBSE Delhi 2016]
  12. Consumerism is- increasing day by day. Luxuries of yesterday have become necessities of today. The result is that the more we want the more miserable we become. Write a debate in 150-200 words on ‘The only way to minimise human suffering and pain is to control our needs’. You are Navtej/Navita. [CBSE (AI) 2015]
  13. “Everyone should become vegetarian,” Write a debate in 150-200 words either for or against the motion. [CBSE Paper 2018 (C)]
  14. ‘Gyms and fitness centres have reduced the importance of exercise in the park.’ Write a debate in 150-200 words either for or against the motion. [CBSE (F) 2017]
  15. ‘Social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) is being used to create disaffection in society.’ Write a debate in 150-200 words either for or against the motion. [CBSE (F) 2017]
  16. ‘Our large population is not a cause of poverty but an asset, a resource.’ Write a debate in 150-200 words either for or against the motion. [CESE (Delhi) 2017]