Shadowing Practice: How to Build an Argument with Argument Alice (Ep 01) - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Hello everybody, Dr. David here.
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We will begin your debate training today with the most crucial thing in a debate: making an argument.
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To guide you through the first step of your training, I will introduce Argument Alice.
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Alice's superpower is making arguments.
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She'll show you how to do it.
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Good luck.
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Hello everyone, my name is Argument Alice and my goal is to train you all how to be expert argument builders.
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What is an argument exactly?
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An argument has three main building blocks.
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Building an argument is like building a house.
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A house needs a floor or foundation, walls, and a roof.
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We can't build a house without a roof, without a floor or walls.
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Similarly, we can't build an argument without claims, reasoning, or evidence.
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We can remember this with the letters CRE.
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These are the pieces of our arguments.
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We begin with a claim.
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We support the claim with reasoning and we prove our claim with evidence and examples.
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First, let's look at what a claim is.
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A claim is an assertion.
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It is one single sentence that states our point.
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A claim is different from a fact.
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A fact is not something we can debate about, but a claim is something debatable.
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We have to try to prove that it is true.
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Let's look at the difference between a fact and a claim.
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Here is a fact.
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2 plus 2 equals 4.
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We can't debate this.
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Here is a claim.
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Most students love to take math classes.
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This claim is something we can debate.
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So the first step of any argument is making a clear claim.
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Second, we need to follow our claim with reasoning.
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Reasons explain our point.
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Reasons are simply the explanation for why our claims are valid.
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To deliver reasons, we just need to ask ourselves: Why?
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Why is this true?
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How does this work?
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Sometimes our claims seem obvious, and it looks like we don't need to explain.
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In the debate, however, we need to explain as much as we can.
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Third and finally, to complete our argument, we need evidence.
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Evidence is what proves our claim is valid and convinces the audience that it is true.
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Evidence can be statements from experts, research reports, or articles, or specific examples.
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We can find evidence from articles, books, videos, podcasts, and other sources of information.
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We can also provide examples from our everyday life and experiences.
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What is important is that we have specific evidence and examples to complete our arguments.
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So, in summary, arguments have three main components: Claim,
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state our point, Explain our point.
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Evidence: Prove our point.
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Now, let's look at an example of what this looks like in a real debate.
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If our debate topic is, kids should not be allowed to have mobile phones.
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There are several possible claims we can make to support the topic.
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One claim we could make is that mobile phones will be harmful to kids' eyes.
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If we want to provide reasons for the claim that mobile phones will be harmful to kids' eyes, we need to ask ourselves: why is this true?
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Let's come up with as many reasons as we can why it is true.
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Reason 1: Mobile phones have a light called a blue light.
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That's what allows us to see the screen.
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If kids look at this light too much, it will hurt their eyes.
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Mobile phones have so many bright colors and images that are too bright for kids' eyes.
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Reason 2: Most kids cannot stop looking at their mobile phones.
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Mobile phones have lots of games and videos that kids like to watch.
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These games and videos are fun and exciting and kids can't stop watching them.
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The bright colors and images are very attractive to kids.
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Reason 3: Sometimes use.
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Parents and teachers cannot watch their kids at all times because they are busy.
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This means kids can look at their mobile phones all day, which is bad for their eyes.
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So these reasons explain why phones are harmful to kids
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and why it is difficult for kids to stop looking at their phones
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and why parents and teachers cannot easily control the phones.
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Now our argument is taking shape.
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There is only one more thing we need: evidence.
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How do we know that these arguments are true?
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Is there any evidence or examples we can provide that prove our claim is true?
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We can find evidence and examples from articles, books, podcasts, and videos.
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I read an article from a newspaper called the Washington Post from August 2018, and I found this evidence.
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A new study says that smartphones may ruin your eyesight.
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Researchers at the University of Toledo in Ohio have found that exposure to blue light, the glow emitted from most smartphones,
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tablets and laptops, promotes the growth of poisonous molecules in your eyes, leading to macular degeneration.
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There are a lot of important words here we would need to define.
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Overall, however, this provides us good evidence for our reasoning about blue light and its impact on our eyes.
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So, let's look at what the full argument with claims, reasoning, and evidence would look like in a speech.
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not be allowed to have mobile phones is.
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Mobile phones are bad for kids eyes.
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Now, let me explain the reasons why this is true.
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First of all, Mobile phones have a light called a blue light.
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That's what allows us to see the screen.
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If kids look at this light too much, it will hurt their eyes.
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Mobile phones have so many bright colors and images that are too bright for kids' eyes.
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Secondly, most kids cannot stop looking at their mobile phones.
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Mobile phones have lots of games and videos that kids like to watch.
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These games and videos are fun and exciting and kids can't stop watching them.
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The bright colors and images are very attractive to kids.
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Third.
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Sometimes parents and teachers cannot control the mobile phone use.
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Parents and teachers cannot watch their kids at all times because they're busy.
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This means that kids can look at their mobile phones all day which is bad for their eyes.
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Now, let me introduce some evidence to support this claim.
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A new study says that smartphones may ruin your eyesight.
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Researchers at the University of Toledo in Ohio have found that exposure to blue light, the glow emitted from most smartphones,
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tablets, and laptops, promotes the growth of poisonous molecules in your eyes leading to macular degeneration.
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So, Ladies and gentlemen, we believe that kids should not have mobile phones because they are too harmful to kids eyes.
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Now, we have learned how to build an argument.
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We have learned what a claim, reasoning, and evidence are.
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We have seen an example in a debate.
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Now, you can work with your teammates to build arguments for your debates.
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Good luck!
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I'm going to go to the next one you you

Why practice speaking with this video?

Practicing speaking through the engaging content of "How to Build an Argument with Argument Alice" provides a uniquely interactive experience for English learners. This video not only focuses on the essential skill of argumentation but also encourages learners to articulate their thoughts clearly. By mimicking Argument Alice and Dr. David’s dialogues, learners can enhance their speaking skills in a debate context, which is particularly valuable for those preparing for assessments such as the IELTS speaking practice.

Utilizing the shadowing technique allows you to process and reproduce the language in real-time, helping to solidify vocabulary and structures. The video’s structured approach to arguments can encourage learners to think critically while practicing their speaking and listening skills. As you immerse yourself in the content, remember to repeat phrases and claims to improve fluency and pronunciation.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

The speaker utilizes several effective English structures throughout the video. Here are a few key grammar elements that stand out:

  • Claims and Assertions: The structure of a claim is highlighted, specifically the use of simple present tense in sentences like “Most students love to take math classes.” This structure is critical for making strong, clear assertions.
  • Use of Questions: The speaker asks rhetorical questions such as, “Why is this true?” This technique helps to clarify reasoning and engages the audience in critical thinking—a valuable skill for learners to adopt during debates.
  • Contrast between Facts and Claims: The distinction is made clear with the phrase, “A claim is different from a fact.” This helps learners understand nuanced vocabulary and how to articulate differences in discussions.

These structures can significantly enhance your ability to construct effective arguments, making them useful for those looking to improve their speaking proficiency through learn English with YouTube resources.

Common Pronunciation Traps

While practicing with this video, English learners should be aware of specific pronunciation traps, especially with words that might be tricky due to their structure or sounds. Here are a few words and phrases to focus on:

  • Assertion: This word can be challenging due to the stress on the second syllable and the “sh” sound. Practice breaking it down into syllables: as-ser-tion.
  • Evidence: The pronunciation of this word can vary; make sure to emphasize the first syllable: E-vi-dence.
  • Reasoning: Pay attention to the “ea” sound, which can be challenging for non-native speakers. Practice the sound: rea-soning.

By focusing on these tricky words, you can refine your pronunciation, making your argument delivery more effective. Incorporating the shadowspeak practice into your routine can ensure you pronounce these terms correctly, aiding your overall speaking ability.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.