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English•Speech Writing & Debate Skills

Debate & Argumentation Skills

Senior High 8 questions
AI-drafted from platform data — specialist review scheduledBy DigiTransact Mastermind editorial teamLast updated
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What debate & argumentation skills means

You learn how to build a clear case, answer objections, and support your point with sound reasons. This helps you speak confidently, stay focused, and persuade others in class debates and examinations.

What you will practise

  • State a clear position on the motion
  • Give reasons that support your main point
  • Use examples and facts to strengthen claims
  • Rebut opposing points with direct responses
  • Organise points in a logical debate order

Before you start

You should already be able to write full sentences and organise ideas into simple paragraphs. It also helps to know basic linking words such as because, however and therefore.

Not confident yet? Work through Speech Writing Essentials first.

Worked example

One question from this skill's own question bank, shown with its full working.

Question

In a debate, the “motion” is:

  • The judges’ decision
  • The topic being argued
  • The closing speech
  • The audience vote
Answer: The topic being argued

Working: The motion is the proposition the two sides argue for or against.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing the motion with the whole debate topic. Read the proposition carefully before you speak.
  • Making claims without support. Add examples, facts or reasons for each point.
  • Ignoring the other side’s argument. Address it directly with a clear rebuttal.
  • Repeating the same point in different words. Keep each argument distinct and focused.

Curriculum and exam alignment

Ghana GES SHS syllabusWASSCE

This skill usually appears in SHS English work on speaking, listening and persuasive writing. It also supports preparation for debate-related tasks and comprehension of argument structures used in WASSCE.

Curriculum notes are a general guide to where this work normally sits. Always check the syllabus your school or examination body is currently using.

Related skills

Other Speech Writing & Debate Skills skills in English, at the same point in the course.

Other English topics

Early Reading and WritingSHS English and LiteratureAcademic and Professional WritingGrammarVocabularyReading Comprehension

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Exams that assess debate & argumentation skills

Senior High work on this skill feeds directly into these exam papers. Each page lists the English topics that appear on it.

WASSCEWASSCE practice questionsFree WASSCE practice across the subjects at this stage, with worked answers.GESGES practice questionsFree GES practice across the subjects at this stage, with worked answers.BECEBECE practice questionsListed as a related subject on the BECE practice page.

How this page was produced

This text was drafted with AI assistance from the questions and topics already stored on the platform. A subject-specialist review is scheduled but has not yet been recorded, so we do not claim it here.

Written by
DigiTransact Mastermind editorial team
Human review
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Practise debate & argumentation skills

8 questions with a worked answer after every attempt, and a SmartScore that tracks how close you are to mastery.

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