““Public Speaking & Debate”Public Speaking & Debate”Feb. 25, 2008 (SHU)

What is DebateDebate? How much do you know about the

definition of debate? Why is it essential for college students in

Taiwan to learn to debate? What are the similarities and differences

between political and academic debates? Why are presidential debates becoming

increasingly important globally? What have you leaned from the presidential

debates: Ma –Hsieh, and Clinton-Obama? How would you evaluate the Ma – Hsieh

presidential debate, Feb. 24, 2008?

Kennedy-Nixon Debate, 1960.

Carter-Reagan Debate, 1980.

Clinton - Obama Debate, 2008.

Ma – Hsieh Debate, Feb. 24, 2008

““Public Speaking & Debate”Public Speaking & Debate”Feb. 25, 2008 (SHU)

What Exactly is DebateDebate?

References: 1. Goodnight, Lynn. 1993. Getting Started in Debate. N

Y: McGraw-Hill. 2. http://youtube.com/watch?v=k9wHxhHnFRY&feature

=related

According to Oxford English Dictionary, the term “debate” is defined as “a formal discussion in a public meeting or legislature, in which opposing arguments are presented.” Likewise, “debate” simply means “an argument” in a public forum or setting, aiming at convincing the audience of the truth and facts either party endeavors to deliver. When it comes to debating, you must have thought of the televised “Presidential Debate” between Mr. Ma Ying –jeou (馬英九 ) and Mr. Frank Hsieh (謝長廷 ) on Feb. 24, 2008. Ma and Hsieh, representing respectively Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive party (DPP), will be set to spar face-to-face again on March 9. Mr. Ma and Mr. Hsieh delivered their views during the first “Presidential Debate,” focusing on 20 questions asked by members of the public.The question include economic issues, social safety, environmental protection, education, social welfares, national defense, and many others.

As a matter of fact, when the word debate comes up in a conversation, most people think of the Presidential Debates. Beginning with Kennedy-Nixon Debate in 1960, political debates have been the arena in which candidates “confront” each other directly (Goodnight, 1993: 1). Following the Presidential Debates set off by Mr. John F. Kennedy and Mr. Richard M. Nixon in 1960, “great debates” of all sorts have followed in human history. The great debates between President Jimmy Carter and Governor Ronald Reagan on Oct. 28, 1980 have served as the model of modern debate. The polished, meticulous and elaborate debates exemplified in Kennedy-Nixon and Carter-Reagan sparring, supported with solid background knowledge and skills of language delivery, should shed new light not only on Mr. Ma and Mr. Hsieh, but on all of us citizens of the 21st century (Li 2008:9). By doing so, we will learn about the nature of debate, thereby developing valuable life skills.

Presidential Debate in Taiwan: Frank Hsieh vs. Ma Ying-jeou Feb. 24, 2008

Economic issue: Labor and income Social issue: Family and gay marriage policy

Environmental issue: Kyoto Protocol/Earth Warming

Agricultural issue: Farming land reform

Issues for Debate:Economic policy

EducationCulture

Mainland affairsTreasury

EnvironmentAgriculture

Social welfare

Great Debates: John F. Kennedy – Richard M. Nixon, July 1960Great Debates: John F. Kennedy – Richard M. Nixon, July 1960

http://youtube.com/watch?v=k9wHxhHnFRY&feature=related

Listen to YouTube for the Kennedy-Nixon Debate.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=k9wHxhHnFRY&feature=related

Carter-Reagan Debate 1980

Great Presidential Debates: Jimmy Carter – Ronald Reagan, Oct. 28, 1980Great Presidential Debates: Jimmy Carter – Ronald Reagan, Oct. 28, 1980

http://youtube.com/watch?v=V8deEp4WT7A&feature=related

Reagan Carter 1980 Presidential debate, Oct. 28, 1980.

Presidential Debates: Hillary R. Clinton – Barack Obama, Feb. 21, 2008Presidential Debates: Hillary R. Clinton – Barack Obama, Feb. 21, 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYZGxDXsoYk

University of Texas, Austin, site of Clinton-Obama Debate, Feb. 21, 2008

San Antonio, Texas

Old Spanish Mission, San Antonio, Texas

River Walks, San Antonio, Texas

Even the Holy See (Vatican), graced by the Pope, was situated in ROME.

The Colosseum, Rome

ROME, a gracious city where Shakespeare had his inspiration initiated.

Julius Caesar,…or the legend of Gladiator in Italian history

Recall Julius Caesar ofWilliam Shakespeare, …

Brutus slew Caesar here.

“Not that I loved Caesar less,But that I loved Rome more.” (Brutus)

“but, as he was ambitious, I slew him.” (Brutus)

The battle in Lupercal

Suicide of Brutus at last.

Conclusion from Presidential Debates in the US and Taiwan (1960-2008): Develop debate skills and enhance English language proficiency. Follow the Course Syllabus (Spring 2008) and do weekly assignment. Listen to and watch the YouTube videos frequently for comprehension.