What do human beings fear most? Death, illness, divorce, exam failure? According to a recent survey by the FDA, when asked that very question, 77.25% of respondents replied: Speaking in Public. This course has a very simple objective: to help students overcome that fear and to allow them to master the fine art of debating IN ENGLISH

The course will centre around:
1) The study of rhetorical devices and methods of persuasion
2) Discussion groups on controversial subjects
3) Style exercises in individual speeches, teamwork and answering difficult questions
4) Full organized debates on chosen subjects
5) Improvised debates on subjects given ‘on the spot’
6) The use of video as a self-improvement communication tool

Continuous assessment will be based on class participation with at least three full class debates during the semester. The end of term project will be in the form of a full public debate in ‘amphi’ in front of an invited audience. Students at ‘moyen’ level will have the opportunity of participating in the annual ‘Bôbar’ debate during the ‘semaine des langues et cultures’ whilst those at ‘fort’ level will be eligible for the school team which will represent Polytechnique in the National Finals of the French Debating Tournament in English at the ‘Assemblée nationale’.

Bibliography : ‘The Book of Rhetorics III’, Aristotle ‘The Rules of Procedure of the House of Commons’ Guy Fawkes ‘Convincing and Persuading’ Dr. Al Iar ‘How to deal with stress in public’ Prof. Ben Baron ‘La Verità se Mento’ English Trans ‘Secrets and Lies’ Dr. Paolo Nocchio ‘People Management and Crowd Control’ Prof. G. Dorf

Dernière mise à jour : jeudi 9 avril 2009