Les Séminaires de Discussion (Discussion Seminars)

Learning ObjectivesFormulate a thesis and structured arguments.Use the right vocabulary and grammar for academic debate.Respond constructively to others' ideas.Summarize the key points of a discussion.Imagine you're in your first class at the University of Montreal. 🎓 Your sociology professor announces a discussion seminar for next week. Your heart beats a little faster. How do you prepare your arguments? How do you respond to other students convincingly? This lesson is here to help! Real-World ApplicationsSucceed in your university and college courses.Participate effectively in professional meetings.Develop your critical thinking to analyze current events.Lead respectful debates on social issues.

French TermEnglish ExplanationExampleLa thèse (The thesis) [la TEZ]The main idea or opinion you are trying to defend.Ma thèse est que l'œuvre de cet auteur reflète les angoisses de son époque. (My thesis is that this author's work reflects the anxieties of their time.) [ma TEZ eh kuh LUHV-ruh duh set oh-TUR ruh-FLET layz ahn-GWASS duh sohn ay-POK].Étayer (To support / To back up) [ay-tay-YAY]To support or strengthen an argument with proof or examples.Il faut étayer chaque argument avec une citation du texte. (One must support each argument with a quote from the text.) [eel foh ay-tay-YAY shak ar-goo-MAHN av-ek oon see-ta-SYOHN doo TEXT].Réfuter (To refute) [ray-foo-TAY]To prove that an argument is false.L'avocate a réussi à réfuter le témoignage principal. (The lawyer succeeded in refuting...

1. The Subjunctive for Opinion, Doubt, and DesireRule: The subjunctive is used after verbs and expressions that show subjectivity: a wish, a doubt, an emotion, a necessity, or an opinion (especially in the negative form).Necessity: Il est essentiel que vous citiez vos sources. (It is essential that you cite your sources.) [eel eh es-sahn-SYEL kuh voo see-tee-AY voh SOORS].Doubt: Je doute que cette solution soit la meilleure. (I doubt that this solution is the best.) [zhuh DOOT kuh set so-loo-SYOHN SWAH la may-YUR].Desire: Je souhaite que nous puissions trouver un consensus. (I wish that we could find a consensus.) [zhuh SWET kuh noo pwee-SYOHN troo-VAY un kohn-san-SOOS].2. Logical Connectors to Structure Your ArgumentRule: Logical connectors are words or phrases that link ideas together to...