English 9 Debate Unit
Debate(n): “An organized exchange of ideas between knowledgeable people.”
In spite of some of the popular images that come to mind when you hear the word
“debate,” the above definition is what will guide our unit. Rather than having people
scream opinions back and forth at each other without listening to the other side and
without learning anything, our actual debates are grounded in factual research and
conducted in a respectful and organized manner.
Goals of the unit:
I.
To learn as much as possible about a current, controversial issue.
II.
To learn how to research a topic using a variety of sources, and at the same
time, to learn to critically evaluate the reliability of those sources.
III.
To learn how to effectively develop, organize and support an argument.
IV.
To practice and polish public speaking and writing skills, as well as the ability
to think quickly and spontaneously under pressure.
Format and schedule: During this unit, you will be working in groups of 2-3 students
that are agreed upon by you and your teacher. During the next few weeks, you will be
selecting a topic to debate in conjunction with your opponents, researching that topic,
writing an argumentative essay, preparing your speeches, and then debating the topic in
front of the class and a judge.
5/2-5/6: Introduction to debate and argument: issues and procedure: Teams and
opponents assigned by 5/4 or 5/5.
What makes a good topic, essential terms for the unit, introduction to research. Debate
terms quiz on 5/6
Topic selected by 5/5 or 5/6.
5/9-5/13: Argument Essay week: Resolution wording due and agreed upon by 5/10.
Pro-con list, statement of case, and working bibliography due on 5/11.
Outline for essay due on 5/12; Friday, 5/13 will be in-class drafting day.
5/16-5/19 or 5/20: Preparing for the debate. Argument essay draft due to opponents
on 5/17. Watching of sample debate.
5/18-5/20*: In-class prep time for debates. *Sections A and E will start debates on
Friday, 5/20
5/23-5/25: DEBATE WEEK!! Final essay due on 5/26.
Useful Links
Debate Central (Everything you need to know about debate and more)
http://debate.uvm.edu/default.html
Debatabase debate topics: a pretty exhaustive list of topics, with links to pro-con
lists and additional research
http://www.debatabase.org/
Paradigm Online Writing Assistant ( A great site for learning how to write an
argumentative essay. Includes exercises on evaluating thesis statements and
different strategies for persuading an audience. Click on the “Argumentative
Essays link and you are off!) http://www.powa.org/
Essential Debate terms
Controversial issue: a subject that can be argued and supported from opposing points of
view.
Resolution (sometimes called the proposition): a statement which defines the nature of
the controversy, is stated in the affirmative, and provides a basis for argument for or
against.
Affirmative: the persons who uphold the resolution, who argue for a change in what
presently exists.
Negative: the persons who argue against the change proposed in the resolution, who
uphold conditions as they presently exist.
Definition of terms: a clear explanation of the resolution, defining and limiting ideas. It
is the affirmative team’s responsibility, but the negative team must approve.
Evidence: the material offered as proof in an argument. It can be in the form of (1)
quotations from authorities, (2) examples of actual situations or case histories, or (3) facts
and statistics.
Status Quo: a Latin term meaning the existing state of affairs, the present or the current
beliefs and actions.
Burden of proof: rests on the affirmative, who must prove that the status quo is
unsatisfactory and that the affirmative way is better. Because the affirmative has the
more difficult task, this side is given the advantages of starting and ending the debate.
Stock issues: those issues which must be proved by the affirmative—(1) the need for the
change, (2) the practicality of the change, and (3) the desirability of the change.
Presumption: the assumption is that the negative is “right until proven wrong.”
Constructive speeches: given in the first part of the debate. They present the major
arguments with evidence.
Rebuttals: given in the second part of the debate—the process of rebuilding after attack
or defending from attack.
Cross-examination: time in the debate after constructive speeches where opponents are
permitted to ask questions of the speaker.