Nature vs. Nurture Debate
This debate is designed as a mirrored debate, where each group will argue one side of the debate. In order to
present a sound argument, both sides of the debate must be researched. You will need to both present your side
of the debate as well as refute the arguments of your opponent.
You will be assigned both a debate topic and a side. The central question that everyone will be addressing is:
“What predominantly determines certain traits and our lifestyles; nature or nurture? Your topic will be
further subcategorized into topics in which nature vs. nurture is commonly argued: sexual orientation,
intelligence, obesity and addiction. There will be an additional group that will act as the moderator and jury
of the debate; this group will ultimately choose the winner of the debate.
Note: The topics we will be covering in this debate can be sensitive issues. Be respectful. Use appropriate
language, and use research to support your arguments, not your opinions. You may be assigned to an
argument contradictory to your personal beliefs. You need to research and support your argument anyway. Part
of being a well-rounded, educated person is knowing both sides of an argument. This is good practice 
You will be working on this as a group; your group should be evenly divided between individuals who will work
on the central argument and counter argument of your side. Between those divisions, work should be broken
up between speakers and researchers; there should be one speaker for each side within your argument (2
total).
The first speaker will handle the “opening statement,” which is the main part of your argument. The
second speaker will need to attack the points that their opponents bring up (the counter argument). You will
have 1 researcher who will handle the “opening statement”, and the second researcher will handle the counter
argument.
So, to reiterate, you will have 1 speaker working on the opening statement, and 1 speaker
working on the counterargument. Most groups have 3 people, so that person will be in charge of research.
They will also be well informed in case the speaker is absent.
The jury group will also need to research each topic and construct a rubric they will be using as the
groups are presenting. The jury will be graded on their ability to back up their decision on who won the debate,
using specific examples of items that they expected to hear, and didn’t, or did hear and were particularly
convincing.
Goals & Objectives
Your task is to prepare to argue and support a position. You will do the necessary research to support your
ideas, prepare to both ask and answer questions and practice your presentation so that it’s well polished. The
jury’s goal is to research the topics well enough to know whether or not the two sides make a convincing
argument.
How do we win?
Your goal is not necessarily to win, but to prepare to defend your side as best as possible. You will be graded on
the quality of your evidence, your ability to defeat your opponent’s arguments, adherence to rules and the
confidence of your presentation. You will need to present a more coherent and forceful set of arguments in a
polished manner to prevail over your opponent. The jury group will decide the winning side by a simple
majority vote, with the moderator as the tiebreaker if necessary.
What is the format?
You must follow a strict set of guidelines that tell you when you may speak.
Role of the Moderator – Any organized debate needs to have a moderator. The moderator acts as a neutral
party who maintains the focus of the debate. Important skills include time management, organization, and the
ability to communicate effectively.
Duties of the Moderator
1. Introduce Debaters – Specify the names of the debaters and what side they will be arguing for.
Once the introductions are finished, the debate moderator must lay down the rules, such as time
limitations for responses, and then give the floor to the first debaters.
2. End Petty Arguments – The nature of a debate is to present arguments, but sometimes the
discussion gets out of hand. For instance, if the debaters start to call each other names or throw
insults, the moderator must step in and warn each offender. This helps keep the debate from
going off topic. It is important for the moderator to be impartial when moderating the
discussion.
3. Redirect Discussion - It is not uncommon for a debater to go on a tangent when discussing their
point. If they manage to integrate a slightly off-topic point with their main point that's fine, but if
they stay off-topic that's a problem and could degrade the quality of the debate. If the debate
moderator feels that the discussion is going too far off topic, they can interject and redirect the
discussion by either asking the person to return to their original point or move on to the other
party's response.
4. Monitor the Clock - One key duty of a debate moderator is to watch the clock during a debate. If a
debater goes over their time limit, the moderator must interrupt and give the floor to the other
side. The moderator must firmly ask each debater to respect time limitations if it is a recurring
problem.
Sexual Orientation Argument
1. Sexual Orientation Nature (3 minutes): The speakers present their opinion. They define the situation,
present proposed alternatives, and explain why their position is correct.
2. Sexual Orientation Nurture (3 minutes): The speakers present their opinion. They define the situation,
present proposed alternatives, and explain why their position is correct.
3. Preparation (3 minutes) Both sides will have a few minutes to prep their rebuttal arguments.
4. Rebuttal Nature (2 minutes) The “nature” team will have 2 minutes to refute the “nurture” speakers’
opinion
5. Rebuttal Nurture (2 minutes) The “nurture” team will have 2 minutes to refute the “nature” speakers’
opinion
6. Crossfire (10 minutes) Anyone may speak. Moderator will keep everything in line and call on students
who are not participating.
7. Intelligence Nature (3 minutes) The speakers present their opinion. They define the situation, present
proposed alternatives, and explain why their position is correct.
8. Intelligence Nurture (3 minutes) The speakers present their opinion. They define the situation, present
proposed alternatives, and explain why their position is correct.
9. Preparation (3 minutes) Both sides will have a few minutes to prep their rebuttal arguments.
10. Rebuttal Nature (2 minutes) The “nature” team will have 2 minutes to refute the “nurture” speakers’
opinion
11. Rebuttal Nurture (2 minutes) The “nurture” team will have 2 minutes to refute the “nature” speakers’
opinion
12. Crossfire (10 minutes) Anyone may speak. Moderator will keep everything in line and call on
students who are not participating.
13. Obesity Nature (3 minutes) The speakers present their opinion. They define the situation, present
proposed alternatives, and explain why their position is correct.
14. Obesity Nurture (3 minutes) The speakers present their opinion. They define the situation, present
proposed alternatives, and explain why their position is correct.
15. Preparation (3 minutes) Both sides will have a few minutes to prep their rebuttal arguments.
16. Rebuttal Nature (2 minutes) The “nature” team will have 2 minutes to refute the “nurture” speakers’
opinion
17. Rebuttal Nurture (2 minutes) The “nurture” team will have 2 minutes to refute the “nature” speakers’
opinion
18. Crossfire (10 minutes) Anyone may speak. Moderator will keep everything in line and call on
students who are not participating.
19. Addiction Nature (3 minutes) The speakers present their opinion. They define the situation, present
proposed alternatives, and explain why their position is correct.
20. Addiction Nurture (3 minutes) The speakers present their opinion. They define the situation, present
proposed alternatives, and explain why their position is correct.
21. Preparation (3 minutes) Both sides will have a few minutes to prep their rebuttal arguments.
22. Rebuttal Nature (2 minutes) The “nature” team will have 2 minutes to refute the “nurture” speakers’
opinion
23. Rebuttal Nurture (2 minutes) The “nurture” team will have 2 minutes to refute the “nature” speakers’
opinion
24. Crossfire (10 minutes) Anyone may speak. Moderator will keep everything in line and call on
students who are not participating.
25. Jury Deliberation and Presentation when all debates are finished (Most likely Friday) and
Assessment
Individually, students will reflect on the debate, including why the winning side had an overall stronger
argument than their opponent, the research process, and their understanding of the nature versus nurture
issue. This will be due _____________________________.
Schedule
Monday–Research topic and begin to outline your side’s argument and counter-argument. The jury will be
researching both sides on what they expect to hear from each side and begin constructing their rubric.
Everyone should research independently this evening. You must use and cite at least 4 sources (Not
Wikipedia!) so keep track of what you use. By the beginning of class on Wednesday, you need to have typed,
printed, cited outlines with bullet-point arguments supporting your argument and counterargument.
Tuesday – You will have the entire class period to research and create outlines/notes. I will be consulting with
each group about roles within your group and your arguments. You will be presenting tomorrow, so all final
touches need to be made. Jury will finalize their rubric for how they will grade each side’s argument.
Wednesday – Debate; come to class prepared (ON TIME!) We will start promptly to make sure we have enough
time for all phases of the debate. Listen to the moderator.
Thursday – Debate; come to class prepared (ON TIME!) We will start promptly to make sure we have enough
time for all phases of the debate. Listen to the moderator.
Friday- Any extra debate time necessary. Jury deliberation. Questions and Discussion.
Instructor Rubric – This is how each side of the debate will be graded
Criteria
Argumentation
Effective use of
evidence /
content
knowledge
Use of
persuasive
appeals
Mastery (5)
- Extremely
thorough, wellorganized
presentation of
arguments and
evidence
- Opening statement
engages the interest
of audience; closing
statement leaves no
unanswered issues
and resonates with
the audience
- Responds to issues
raised by opponents
with concise,
accurate, logical
answers
- Effectively
challenges the
arguments made by
opponents with
argument and
evidence
Above Standard
(4)
- Well-organized
and complete
presentation of
arguments and
evidence
- Opening statement
successfully frames
the issues; closing
statement
summarizes many
arguments made in
the debate
- Responds to issues
raised by opponents
with accurate and
generally concise
answers
- Challenges the
arguments made by
opponents;
challenges are
generally effective
Standard (3)
-Organized and
generally complete
presentation of
arguments and
evidence
- Opening statement
outlines or lists
arguments and
evidence but does not
generate interest;
closing statement
does not reflect
remarks made during
debate.
- Responds to most of
the issues raised by
opponents with
generally accurate
answers
- Offers arguments,
but no evidence, to
counter the
arguments made by
opponents
-Demonstrates a
sophisticated
understanding of
the issues and facts
relevant to the topic
-Demonstrates
thorough and
accurate
understanding of
details as well as
the ability to make
original connections
and interpretations
- Demonstrates a
sophisticated
understanding of
the issues and facts
relevant to the topic
-Demonstrates
thorough and
accurate
understanding of
details as well as
the ability to make
original connections
and interpretations
-Demonstrates a basic
and accurate
understanding of the
issues and facts
relevant to the topic.
-Demonstrates the
ability to make basic
connections between
facts and concepts
Makes deliberate
and effective use of
logical, emotional
and ethical appeals
in order to
persuade jury
Uses logical,
emotional and
ethical appeals to
enhance
effectiveness of
argument
Uses some appeals to
make argument more
persuasive, but may
not include a mix of
logical, emotional and
ethical appeals
Approaches Standard
(2)
-Somewhat organized
presentation of
arguments and
evidence
-Opening statement
minimally outlines
arguments; closing
argument briefly
restates the ideas
offered in the opening
statement
-Seems to be caught
off-guard by
opponents; offers
tentative, somewhat
accurate, but possibly
vague or illogical
responses
-Attempts to challenge
arguments of
opponents
-Demonstrates a
generally accurate
understanding of
relevant issues and
facts, but may exhibit
minor confusion or
misunderstandings
seem to understand
general ideas, but do
not support their ideas
with relevant facts; OR,
seem to understand
facts but are unable to
connect them into
coherent arguments
Makes minimal use of
persuasive appeals
Below Standard (1)
-Arguments are
unorganized,
incomplete, or
completely lacking in
evidence
-Opening statement
and closing
statements do little
more than state the
position of the team
-Is unable to respond
to issues raised by
opponents in a
meaningful or
accurate way
-Demonstrates an
inadequate
understanding of the
content relevant to
the topic
-Supports
statements with
vague or irrelevant
information, or no
information at all
Does not use
persuasive rhetoric
- Exhibits
- Appears nervous,
-Lacks confidence
-Demonstrates little
confidence and
yet somewhat
-Maintains respectful
or no preparation
energy in the
confident, before the
tone
-Fails to maintain
course of the
court
- Use of preparation
respectful tone
hearing
- Maintains respectful materials distracts
-Maintains
tone
from quality of
respectful tone
- Use of preparation
performance
- Uses preparation
materials does not
materials
distract
effectively
Grade Calculation (100 points total): The above components of your grade is worth up to 60 points (total points X 3); up to 30 points for
your research notes & debate evidence sheets; 10 points for being attentive and respectful during the debate.
Performance
Exhibits confidence,
energy, and passion
in the course of the
hearing
- Maintains
respectful tone
- Accesses
preparation
materials with ease
Instructor Jury Rubric – This is how the jury will be graded.
Criteria
Effective use
of evidence
/ content
knowledge
in delivering
verdict
(Score X 6)
Mastery (5)
Above
Standard (4)
-Demonstrates a - Demonstrates
sophisticated
a solid
understanding
understanding
of the issues,
of the issues,
events and facts events and facts
relevant to the
relevant to the
topic
topic
-Demonstrates
-Demonstrates
thorough and
understanding
accurate
of details as
understanding
well as the
of details as
ability to make
well as the
connections and
ability to make
interpretations
original
connections and
interpretations
Exhibits
Presentation confidence,
energy, and
passion in the
delivery of the
verdict
- Maintains
(Score X 6)
respectful tone
- Accesses
preparation
- Exhibits
confidence and
energy in the
delivery of the
verdict
-Maintains
respectful tone
- Uses
preparation
materials
Standard (3)
-Demonstrates a
basic and
accurate
understanding of
the issues, events
and facts relevant
to the topic.
-Demonstrates
the ability to
make basic
connections
between facts
and concepts
- Appears
nervous, yet
somewhat
confident, before
the class
- Maintains
respectful tone
- Use of
preparation
materials does
Approaches
Standard (2)
-Demonstrates a
generally accurate
understanding of
relevant issues,
events and facts,
but may exhibit
minor confusion or
misunderstandings
-Portrays an
understanding of
general ideas, but
does not support
their ideas with
relevant facts; OR,
seems to
understand facts
but is unable to
connect them into
coherent
arguments
-Lacks confidence
-Maintains
respectful tone
- Use of
preparation
materials distracts
from quality of
presentation
Below Standard
(1)
-Demonstrates
an inadequate
understanding of
the history
content relevant
to the topic
-Supports
statements with
vague or
irrelevant
information, or
no information
at all
-Demonstrates
little or no
preparation
-Fails to
maintain
respectful tone
materials with
effectively
not distract
ease
Grade Calculation (100 points total): The above components of your grade is worth up to 60 points; up to 30
points for your research checklist & moderator script; 10 points for being attentive and respectful during the
debate.