Teens love to argue, right? So why not have an activity that
encourages you to argue, or debate, a topic that you have researched? This
debate will be held in class about a topic that you will need to research and
take notes on. Then, you will defend your position against a group of your
peers who will be arguing against your viewpoint. This is where you will be
using your best persuasive writing and speaking skills to get the debate
audience (other students in the class) to agree with your position.
Here is how a debate is set up:
PRO (FOR) SIDE
SPEAKER #1
Your job is to give
the “opening
statement”, which
says what your
teams’ position is, as
well as a few key
points about your
topic.
SPEAKER #2
Your job is to give
more facts that
support your team’s
position. You will
also help with your
team’s rebuttal to
the “con” teams’
points.
RESEARCHER
Your job is to help
research your
team’s points and
come up with
rebuttals, which are
responses to the
“con” teams’
points.
MODERATOR
Mrs. Roesser will introduce the teams and
make sure everyone is polite and speaking
within their turn.
SPEAKER #1
Your job is to give
the “opening
statement”, which
says what your
teams’ position is, as
well as a few key
points about your
topic.
SPEAKER #2
Your job is to give
more facts that
support your team’s
position. You will
also help with your
team’s rebuttal to
the “pro” teams’
points.
CON (AGAINST) SIDE
RESEARCHER
Your job is to help
research your
team’s points and
come up with
rebuttals, which are
responses to the
“pro” teams’
points.
Opening Arguments and Beginning of Debate
1. First, Mrs. Roesser, the moderator, will introduce the topic that will be
debated. Each team will be identified as “pro” (for) or “con” (against) so the
audience understands what they will be listening to. The audience (students
not debating) will be taking notes as the teams debate to see which side
they agree with more. Audience will vote at the end of the debate.
2. Next, Speaker #1 for the “pro” team will introduce the topic being
debated, called the opening argument, and state the group’s position. In a 13 minute speech, Speaker #1 will give key points to the audience about why
they should agree with their position. You will find these points by doing
research on your topic. During Speaker #1’s opening argument, the “con”
team should be taking notes and quietly discussing ways they can use the
“pro” team’s own points against them.
3. Now, Speaker #1 from the “con” team will introduce their position on the
topic and points why the audience should agree with their side. During this
speech, the “pro” team will also be taking notes and quietly discussing ways
they can use the “con” team’s points against them.
4. The debate will go back to the “pro” team for Speaker #2’s speech. This
is where your research will take center stage. Speaker #2’s job is to use the
research to back up their “pro” position, and use persuasive language to
convince the audience that they are correct. “Con” team, while they are
speaking, take notes about their points and try to poke holes in their case.
5. Back over to the “con” side again for Speaker #2’s speech, backing up
their position using lots of research. “Pro” team, take notes here about what
is being said and how you can use it in your rebuttal.
***Both teams have stated their cases. Now, it’s time for
the rebuttal, or response portion of the debate***
Five Minute Break Before the Rebuttal
The rebuttal is a chance for both teams to argue the points that
the other team has brought up. This is why you took notes during the other
team’s speeches. You will have 5 minutes to talk and plan what you want to
say during your rebuttal. Look at the points the other team made and ask,
“How can we prove that these facts are not true or can be disagreed with?”
Remember, you are always trying to get the audience to agree with your
position. You can have just one person speak, or two people that will bring up
questions and points.
6. The “pro” team will go first with their rebuttal. They will have a time limit
of 3 minutes to present their response to the “con” team’s arguments. During
this time, the “con” team MAY NOT shout out their disagreement or argue.
You have to wait for your turn!
7. Now the “con” team will have a limit of 3 minutes for their rebuttal,
arguing with the “pro” team’s points.
Closing Arguments
This is your final chance to persuade the audience to choose your position.
Sum up all of your best points, and be as convincing as possible to the
audience. This is your final impression!
8. The “pro” team will present their closing argument.
9. The “con” team will present their closing argument.
10. Now, the audience will vote on index cards for the team who had the best
and most convincing points during their debate. Audience, you are not just
voting for your friends, you are judging which group you think was more
convincing and presented better arguments.
Voting Results Announced—Winner of Debate Declared!
Topic:
My Role:
Pro or Con?:
What are 3 points that we can bring up that will support
our position?
1.
2.
3.
Name:
My Role:
Topic:
Position (pro or con):
EVERY MEMBER OF YOUR GROUP WILL NEED
TO HAND IN THIS SHEET AT THE END OF
YOUR DEBATE.
Source #1
Website/Book:
Title of Article:
Author:
3 Facts to help your position:
1. __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
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Source #2
Website/Book:
Title of Article:
Author:
3 Facts to help your position:
1. ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Source________________________________________________________
#3
Website/Book:
________________________________________________________
Title of
Article:
Author:
________________________________________________________
3 Facts to help your position:
________________________________________________________
1._____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________
2._____________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
3._____________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________________________
______
Source #4
Website/Book:
Title of Article:
Author:
3 Facts to help your position:
1. ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Source #5
Website/Book:
________________________________________________________
Title of Article:
________________________________________________________
Author:
________________________________________________________
3 Facts to help your position:
________________________________________________________
1. _______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
________________
_______________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________
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