Debate: The debate will be a set-up with a pro and a con side. The desks will be moved and
lined up as to face each other. I will be the moderator; you must listen to my hand signals for
time and switching back and forth. The hand signal for 30 seconds will be three fingers held up.
The hand signal for switching to another viewpoint will be a closed fist. When your time is up,
the hand signal will be a palmed hand.
Groups must:
 Participate effectively to create arguments.
 Come prepared with their topic (annotated articles and notes). Students will be assigned
pro or con.
 Participate in the debate. It will be a fair and even debate, where one student from each
viewpoint will go at a time.
 Prepare concise, well-written, and appropriate arguments that are supported by the
articles.
 Be appropriate while presenting, as well as when peers are presenting.
 Prepare a 2 minute argument and a 1 minute rebuttal (the rebuttal will be created during
the debate.)
 Prepare to present. Write at least 5 arguments you could use for the viewpoint you are
given. This means you need to come with notes that contain multiple references and
arguments to your given viewpoint.
 Be prepared for discussions. When it is your turn for a rebuttal, you will simply give your
rebuttal from your seat, and then we will have a 2 minute discussion from both sides with
a leeway (5 minutes total). The group who presented the argument will begin the
discussion, try to have a back and forth during the four minutes, do not simply give
another long rebuttal. (Example – if I were to address the leash law in Arizona I would
say for the pro argument: “The leash law contains all canines from invading the space of
other individuals. Canines do not always have to be vicious to be intrusive.”)
 Choose a leader for their group. There are 10 – 13 of you, choose someone to be
chairperson, and maybe a co-chairperson or a vice chairperson.
 Appropriately use the Rebuttal cards – The leader(s) of the two groups will raise their
rebuttal cards when it is their groups turn to rebut. Each group will rebut after each
argument. Each group will have 2 minutes to come up with a rebuttal. The person in the
group who was chosen to rebut the speaker will give the rebuttal. Then, the class will
continue with a discussion, each side getting the chance to further the debate on the
argument given.
 Raise your rebuttal card appropriately when wanting to discuss the issue next, to rebut the
idea from the opposing team.
 Turn in their written arguments for the groups, as well as their rebuttals they wrote during
the debate.
 Only use Google scholar or a scientific journal for your defenses and rebuttals. Bringing
the journals/articles would be helpful during the debate.
Name:______________________
You will be graded individually. This includes the reflection of your teammates on
the group work as a whole.
Part
Great
Good
Needs
Work
Debate









/50
Valid arguments
supported by
textual evidence
Respectful of other
class mates.
Defense is clear
and concise.
Rebuttals are clear
and concise.
Respectful of time
limits (2 minutes
per defense/1
minute for
rebuttals, 2
minutes for
discussion).
Paying attention to
the hand signals
used by the
moderator to move
on.
Each group
member must
participate
effectively in the
debate.
Groups and
individuals are
prepared.
50





Arguments are
valid with the
text, minimal
textual evidence.
Respectful of
others part of the
time.
Defense and
rebuttals are
somewhat clear.
Somewhat
respectful of time
limits (going past
2 minutes, even
when the
moderator has put
up the signal)
Not every group
member
participates.
Group and
individuals are
somewhat
prepared.
35





Total
Arguments are
not valid, no
textual evidence.
Disrespectful of
others.
Defense and
rebuttals are
vague and
unclear.
Disrespectful of
time limits.
Only 1 to 2
group members
is talking the
entire time.
Unprepared - no
notes, no quotes,
no helpful cue
tools.
5
Rebut
Rebut
1st period:
Sydney Aileen
Colin
Chase
Chay McKenna Victor
Dakota Xandra Zeke
Moira
Arianna Alexa Brandon Nick
Xavier Kallie
D.
Alex
Sean
Speakers
Chair
Michael Brianna Kaylee
H.
Maya
Teachers
Desk
Sean rebuts Colin, Nick rebuts Kaylee, Brandon rebuts Moira, Alexa rebuts Xandra, Sydney rebuts
Michael and Maya, Victor rebuts Dakota, McKenna rebuts Xavier, Chay rebuts Alex, Chase rebuts Zeke,
Aileen rebuts Brianna, Arianna rebuts Kallie D.
Colin
Sean
Nick
Kaylee H.
Brandon
Moira
Alexa
Xandra
Sydney
Michael
Maya
Victor
Dakota
McKenna
Xavier
Alex
Chase
Zeke
Aileen
Brianna
Arianna
Chay