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Expressions For Discussion and Debate

This document provides expressions for presenting arguments, seeking clarification, and providing feedback during discussions and debates. For presenting arguments, it suggests beginning with phrases like "the main thing is" or "firstly" to introduce multiple points. For clarification, it lists questions to ask for repetition or examples like "could you say that again?" and phrases for providing explanation like "what I mean is". Finally, it outlines expressions for checking understanding with the listener such as "right?" and "you following?" to provide feedback.

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Ana Losada Pérez
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329 views2 pages

Expressions For Discussion and Debate

This document provides expressions for presenting arguments, seeking clarification, and providing feedback during discussions and debates. For presenting arguments, it suggests beginning with phrases like "the main thing is" or "firstly" to introduce multiple points. For clarification, it lists questions to ask for repetition or examples like "could you say that again?" and phrases for providing explanation like "what I mean is". Finally, it outlines expressions for checking understanding with the listener such as "right?" and "you following?" to provide feedback.

Uploaded by

Ana Losada Pérez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EXPRESSIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND DEBATE

PRESENTING ARGUMENTS

Presenting the most important Presenting a number of arguments Adding an argument


point
 The main thing is…  First of all, …  Also, ....
 Firstly, …
 The most important thing  To begin with, …  Again, that depends on …
is…  I’d start by …
 For a start, …  In addition, …
 Primarily  There’re two points here.
Firstly, …  What’s more, …
 Most importantly, Secondly, …
 I might add that…
 There are two problems
here…. Moreover  Perhaps I should also
 You also have to consider mention…

 Not to mention the fact that


…

 Plus the fact that…

CLARIFICATION

Asking someone to repeat When you can’t follow Asking for clarification inviting
illustration or example.
 Pardon?  You lost me there.  And are they right?

 Excuse me?  I’m lost.  Does that make it ok?

 Sorry?  I’m not following.  Can you be a bit more


specific?
 I’m sorry?  I don’t follow.
 Are you saying that …?.
 I beg you pardon?  I didn’t get that.
 Are we talking about …?
 Could you say that again?

 Would you repeat that


please?

 Sorry, what did you say?

 What’s that again?

Clarification through " What" or " Giving clarification Giving clarification after
How" misunderstanding
 What’s wrong with that?  I’m talking about …  What I mean is…

 What’s wrong with …?.  I’m saying that …  What I meant is…

 What do you mean?  What I’m saying is that …  What I’m saying is…

 What do you mean by …?  The whole point of this is  What I’m trying to say is…
that…
 What are you trying to say?  Don’t get me wrong…
 That’s what this
 In what way? discussion’s about.  Don’t misunderstand me…
 How do you mean?  I’m talking about …  Let me put it another way,
 Why do you say that?.  That’s not what I meant
 Why is that  What I said was…

 Why not?  What I really


said/mean/meant…
 Can you explain why …?
 Let’s get it straight…
 Why do you think that?

FEEDBACK

Making sure that you have the Making sure that the listener is Providing feedback
listener’s attention. following
 Right?  (are) You following?  Right
 Okay
 You know?  Are you following me?  Yeah
 I know (what you mean.)
 (you) know what I mean?  Are you with me?  I see...
 Of course
 You understand?  Okay so far?  That’s normal
 True
 Got me?  Do you understand so far?

 Got it?  Have you got it?

 (It) Makes sense, right?

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