JCU "Current Topics"?!?

[shrang]

I'm pretty sure the interviewers would have prompts or they might think of things for you to start the conversation with.

 

[Havox]

I'm pretty sure the interviewers would have prompts or they might think of things for you to start the conversation with.

Or...They could ask you what you think is important.

 

[pi]

I have a quick question... When you say the topic is for example "childhood obesity", is this all the info you will be given? Or will you be given a particular statement/question to debate?

One of the panel members will ask for your stance and will debate with you (ask questions) as you go

 

[qwerty12321]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to approach this question at all? For example, presenting your stance, and then justifying it, while addressing any opposing arguments. Or present both sides first, and then state your position at the end. Or anything else?

I don't really have any debating experience, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks guys.

 

[Benjamin]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to approach this question at all? For example, presenting your stance, and then justifying it, while addressing any opposing arguments. Or present both sides first, and then state your position at the end. Or anything else?

I don't really have any debating experience, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks guys.

The idea of a debate is essentially to make your opponents argument seem either irrational, inaccurate or incomplete. If you can't do that then the easiest way to win is to not only think of arguments against the topic but also think of their arguments for them, basically you want to pre-empt their rebuttal and leave them with nothing to add - make it a one sided discussion. The interviewers don't want to see that you can win a debate, they want to see that you can think about things and reason them out and that you can support your opinions - if you can think of arguments for both sides and then still back up your opinion then you're definitely showing them this.

If you choose to do this however, you have to be very wary that you don't end up hemming yourself into an endless argument that you can't win; always keep your ace till last.

Keep in mind as well that the JCU interview is really informal and it's less of a strict debate as it more of a discussion. They'll start by giving you the three topics and then pretty much just saying something like "So what do you think about gay marriage?" From there on out you are largely in control of the discussion. All they want to see is how you think and present yourself, so don't get tied up in strict formalities - this part of the interview is something you've prepared yourself for throughout every argument you've ever had with anyone in your life.

 

[qwerty12321]

Thankyou so much guys! Amazing advice, as always.