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                                                              DEBA T E S  AND ROLE  PLA Y S



        Role plays                                        The first American presidential debate
        A role play is a made-up scenario in which participants
        each play a character. There isn’t a script, so everyone   was between the candidates John F.
        needs to act spontaneously. The best way to prepare    Kennedy and Richard Nixon in
        is to think about the character’s personality, and how
        they would behave in the specific situation.       1960. It was one of the most-watched
                                                          broadcasts in US television history.

          Get inside their head
          A good way to start is to imagine what the                        Talk the talk
          character would be thinking. Reflect on the
          person’s story so far, and what they would                        To make characters convincing,
          think about the current situation. Consider                       it’s important to talk like them.
          their relationships with the other characters,                    An angry person might shout,
          and how they will behave around them.                             a shy character might mutter his
                                                                            or her words, and an excited
                                                                            person might talk quickly. Use an
                                                                            appropriate accent if the person is
                                                                            from a particular country or region,
                                                                            and use the right vocabulary for
                                                                            the character’s age group.





                             Walk the walk                                                Not you again!
                             The character’s personality or mood should be
                             reflected with appropriate body language. For
                             example, a confident character would hold her
                             head up high and her shoulders back and might walk
                             with a swagger. A timid or uncomfortable character
                             would look down at the ground, shuffle, slouch, and
                             avoid eye contact.



          REAL  W OR L D
          In court

          A criminal trial is a type of debate,
          because the lawyers argue about
          whether a defendant is guilty
          or not guilty. The prosecution
          and defense lawyers take turns                                    • Introduce some controversial
          making their points and giving                                    points of view in a discussion. Even
          evidence. A judge, and sometimes                                  if no one agrees with them, unusual
          a jury, will then give a verdict.                                 ideas can get a debate going.
          A lawyer’s ability to persuade                                    • Do not shout. Even if there is
          can make all the difference in                                     a disagreement, it’s important
          a trial’s outcome.                                                to remain polite.
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