Gr. 11 Canadian Politics Summative
The Great Debates!!!
One of the most interesting aspects of studying Politics is how different
conclusions can be drawn by examining the same events. Being able to analyze
data, form an opinion on a controversial issue, and clearly defend that
interpretation with evidence is a vital skill in politics and in life!
Assignment: Students will research an important Canadian political issue.
Working with a partner, they will organize their research in preparation to debate
their issue in front of the class against an opposing team.
 Students will debate in teams of two but will be marked individually
 Each student must prepare an opening OR closing statement (one partner
does opening; other partner does the closing)
 Each student must prepare at least ONE main argument for debate (TWO
per team)
 Each student must have a minimum of TWO pieces of evidence (quotes,
statistics, speeches, pictures, documents etc.)
 Each student must submit a “Fact Sheet” (see handout “Fact Sheet
Outline”) on date of debate
Evaluation: Each student will be graded individually using the Debate Rubric.
Partner: ________________________
Topic: _________________________
Date of Debate: ________________________
Great Debates: Canadian Politics Topic List
FOR / YES
DEBATE QUESTIONS
AGAINST
/ NO
1. Is Canada doing enough to combat Global Warming?
2. Do Trade Unions to more harm than Good?
3. Do the CRTC Regulations Promote or hinder
Canadian Talent?
4. Do the Western Provinces deserve to have greater
constitutional Powers?
5. Do we need Electoral Reform in Canada?
6. Was Trudeau’s usage of the War Measures Act
during the FLQ Crisis Justified?
7. Should Canada increase its Foreign Aid Budget?
8. Should Canada increase its rate of Immigration during
periods of economic crisis?
9. Should the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) be
abolished?
10. Should Canada continue its military operations in
Afghanistan?
11. Should the Alberta Tar Sands project be scrapped?
12. Are Noam Chomsky’s Criticisms of the Media valid?
13. Should the Goods and Services Tax be scrapped?
Please Note: Debate topics listed above mirror the topics covered during the Independent
Study Unit (ISU) presentations. If there is a political topic not listed above that you would
like to debate, please see Mr. Watson for approval. Suggested topics should cover what we
have extensively studied or discussed during the politics course.
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Politics Debates: Fact Sheet Outline
Each student must complete his/her own fact sheet and submit on date of debate!
NAME: ________________________________________
DATE: __________________________
DEBATE QUESTION: __________________________________________________________________
SIDE:
YES
NO
DESCRIPTION OR INTERPERATION OF MY SIDE OF DEBATE
This can be used for opening and closing statements:
a) Introduction of team members
b) Provide any necessary definitions
c) Give a brief scenario or description of the political issue / event
d) Give a statement of what you intend to prove
e) Provide a brief overview of two main arguments / evidence
f) Restate debate side you are proving
3
MAIN
ARGUMENT
EVIDENCE
SOURCE
(Footnote)
EVIDENCE
SOURCE
(Footnote)
OTHER EVIDENCE
SOURCE
(Footnote)
ARGUMENTS EXPECTED OPPONENTS
TO MAKE
PLANNED REBUTTLES
BIBLIOGRAPHY / Works Cited (proper format please!)
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POLITICS DEBATE STRUCTURE (Gr. 11)
Opening Statement
FOR
AGAINST
1 minute
1 minute
Argument #1
Argument #1
FOR
Rebuttal AGAINST
Argument #1
AGAINST
Rebuttal FOR
2 minutes
1 minute
2 minutes
1 minute
Argument #2
2 minutes
Argument #2
FOR
Rebuttal AGAINST
Argument #2
AGAINST
Rebuttal FOR
1 minute
2 minutes
Free For All
5 minutes
Closing Statement
AGAINST
FOR
1 minute
1 minute
Open Questions (by class to
the debaters
1 minute
5 minutes
TOTAL = 26 minutes
5
DEBATE
RUBRIC
Knowledge &
Understanding
-Political
Knowledge
Thinking &
Inquiry
-connecting
evidence
-rebuttals
Communication
-clarity of
ideas
-delivery
Application
-fact sheet
LEVEL 4
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 1
-student provides
exceptionally detailed
and accurate
information in their
opening / closing
statements and main
arguments
-student provides
proficient details and
accurate information
in their opening /
closing statements and
main arguments.
- skilfully draws
connections by using
more than two pieces
of evidence that
overwhelmingly
supports argument
- clear and thorough
preparation for
opponents points with
exceptional rebuttals
- student exceptionally
expresses ideas clearly
and concisely to
audience in a confident
manner
- student skillfully
varies pitch, tone, uses
humour and
appropriate language to
convince audience
- student submits an
exceptional fact sheet
that is detailed, concise,
and well organized and
displays extensive
research
- makes connections
by using two pieces of
evidence that
effectively supports
argument
- student has prepared
for points by opponent
and responds
proficiently
- student provides
adequate
information that is
accurate but needs
more details in their
opening / closing
statements and
arguments
- student presents
some evidence to
support arguments
and conclusions
- adequate
preparation for
opponents’
arguments but needs
stronger rebuttals
-student provides
few details or
inaccurate or
irrelevant
information in their
opening / closing
statements and
arguments
- student offers
little to no evidence
to support argument
- student seems
totally unprepared
for opponents’
points and makes
few rebuttals
- student speaks
clearly and
confidently to
audience
- student uses
appropriate language,
volume, tone and
humour to convince
audience
- student needs to
speak more clearly
and confidently
- adequate use of
language, volume,
tone to convince
audience
- often hard to hear
student or student
seems lost or
confused
-student needs to
use volume, tone to
be more convincing
- student submits a
complete fact sheet
that is clear and well
organized and shows
developed research
- student submits
fact sheet that is
complete but could
be more detailed
and concise and
contain more
research
-student submits a
fact sheet that is
missing
information, details
and clarity
Comments
Marks
/10
/10
/10
/10
TOTAL
/40
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