Debating
Paris-Saclay University Debate Club (UFRs Science / Pharma / Droit / STAPS / IOGS)
Course objectives
The objectives of the course are to develop and improve students':
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Course organisation
- Semester 1 2025-2026: Tuesdays 18:00-20:30.
- 10 X 2.5-hour classes: from early October 2025 - February 2026.
- Classes take place in Building Eiffel (Plateau campus).
- Open to students of any composante of Paris-Saclay (except Centrale-Supélec students, who should contact Divya Madhavan).
- Open to L2, L3, M1 & M2 students with a level B2+/C1/C2.
- Subject to acceptance (max 16 students) - see below for how to apply.
- This class can replace your usual English UE (with the agreement of the language coordinator). (with agreement of the language coordinator).
- Includes participation in the FDA Tournament team. Our weekly meetings are essential to forging the team spirit needed to win the tournament! 5-8 students from UPS Debate Club will make the UPS team, the others help preparing the debates.
For more information, take a look at some of the debates organised by the French Debating Association: https://www.youtube.com/user/FrenchDebatingAsso
And read about Paris Saclay's debating success here: https://www.universite-paris-
Course content
Including internal debates and friendly debates against other institutions in preparation for the official French Debating Association tournament debates, the following points will be covered:
- Paris-Style debating
- Debate analysis
- Roles of the speakers
- Research
- Team organisation
- Case lines
- Rhetorical devices
- Speech delivery
- Points of information and rebuttal
- Adjudicating
- Flowing a debate
- Exploiting feedback
Assessment (100% Contrôle continu): At least two debate speeches, one written speech, participation in other class debating activities.
How can I join the Debating Club?
To apply, please email duncan.thom@gmail.com before 25th September 2025 with the following information:
Email title 'Debating Club Application'.
Name
Level in English
Filière and Year
Name of English teacher coordinating your filière (if you know it) and your English teacher.
Mobile number (please indicate if you do not want to be added to the internal Debate Club Whatsapp group),
Institutional and personal email address.
Please also include:
- A short essay (in the body of your email, not as an attachment) answering the following: Some information about your background, interests, where you have lived, any experience in English-speaking countries, why you want to join the UPS Debate Club.
- A 90-120 second video explaining:
Which animal you think is 'the best' and why. Give as many diverse reasons as possible (you could refer to science, literature, philosophy, economics, pop culture...) but you should be both persuasive and entertaining. Originality, humour, clarity but also a lively oral style with good eye contact will greatly help your application.
Why debate?
It improves your English. It trains you to write, to speak, to think on your feet in English. Not wanting to lose face in front of your teammates, your friends and your opponents, is a powerful motivation.
It is fun and often feels great. Well, particularly when you win…
It pays. You can get credits for your standard English UE, you will get a few free drinks during the FDA Tournament, and you will start a superb network of debaters from other Universities and Grandes Ecoles.
It trains you in many useful skills for your future professional, social and even personal lives. Discover strategies to persuade and influence your future boss, banker, customers, girl-/boy-friend etc.
