The Speaker and Debater

1. Forming a debating Society: A specimen set of rules for the debating society. 2. The Atmosphere of debate: What is the purpose of debate? 3. Preparing a Speech: Advice to beginners-Surveying a subject-the Leader’s job-taking rough notes-the use of reference books-the problem of effective order of argument-the composition of a speech-opening sentence-Effective endings-Continuity-How to make brief speech notes- advice to the opposer-supporting speakers-the debater’s day book. 4. Effective Speaking: Breathing and stance-voice management-Enunciation-chief points of effective delivery. 5. The Chairman’s duties: Choice of a chairman-order of Procedure-method of dealing with general motions, etc, General and sub-committees-minutes,-dealing with difficult debates. 6. Choosing a Subject: Subjects to be avoided-Safe subjects-The Value of humour, Detailed notes on Sixty-three subjects. Detailed notes for Debates General: Is modern civilization a failure? Ought we to submit to the tyranny of convention? Is the World growing better? Is there a useful future for small holdings? Has the introduction of Machinery done more harm than good? Are we too fond of sport and game? Are phantasms of the dead real or imaginary? Is there a genuine case for reincarnation? Have animals’ intelligence? Does Modern male dress need reform? Is the modern girl an improvement upon her predecessors? Is British art declining? Ethical: is consistency a voice or a virtue? Can a man get rich honestly? Are betting and gambling national evils? Should conscientious objectors be tolerated in time of War? Should capital Punishment be abolished? Should prisons be turned into reformatories? Is suicide ever justifiable? Religious: Are the churches losing their influence? Is the Pulpit losing its Power ? Are modern Christian missions a failure? Are the Results of Sunday schools satisfactory? Should the Church of English be Disestablished and disendowed? Should the work of the clergy be put on a voluntary basis? Should the Church concern itself with Social reform? Are conventual’s and monastic institutions worth preserving? Has survival after death been proved by modern spiritualism? Political: Ought the British Empire to federate? Ought we to adopt a system of federal Government for the United Kingdom? Should we adopt proportional representation? Should the Referendum be introduced into English politics? Does the modern state need a royal figurehead? Is party government useful or Harmful? Ought we to grant-self-government to India? Is colonial preference justifiable? Should we abolish trial by jury? Ought great British to introduce permanent conscription? Must we resort to Fascism? Must we resort to Communism? Is there a sound case for Socialism? Should railways be nationalized? Should mines, Canals, etc, be nationalized? Is the formation of a United States of Europe a Practicable and Valuable possibility? Should parliament restrain excessive Luxury? Sociological: Should voluntary charitable organizations be replaced by state control? Should hospitals be maintained and run by the State? Should the unfit be restrained from parenthood? Is the division of labour now carried to hurtful excess? Is the investigation of psychic phenomena dangerous? Educational: Ought we to endow research? Which is the better: Classical or modern education? Ought competitive examinations to be abolished? Is the teaching of Standard English practicable and desirable? Are systems of mental training worth While? Is the influence of the Cinema deleterious? Commercial: Is profit-sharing the cure for labour troubles? Is the theory of equal pay for equal work tenable? Are strikes justifiable? Ought arbitration in trade disputes to be enforced by law? Are trade unions on the whole mischievous or beneficial in their effect? Should all patents be abolished? Should the Drink trade be nationalized? Appendix: 160, other Subjects for Debate:

In English

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