The Great AP Debate
Fall 2015 ~ Harris/Pullins
Pre-Debate Classwork:
1. Find a minimum of THREE print sources that provide information that will challenge, defend, or
qualify the assertion. OR find a minimum of TWO print sources and ONE image (political
cartoon, statistical graph, advertisement, etc.) that will challenge, defend, or qualify the
assertion.
2. Print, read, and highlight important information from the articles/images. Provide annotations
for all of your sources (your thoughts written to the side)! Be prepared to debate both sides of
the issue in class.
3. Elect a leader. This person is responsible for organizing the team, keeping everyone on task,
making sure everyone participates.
4. Complete the AP Debate Worksheet. Choose an individual to “stand and deliver” each # noted
on the worksheet. Make sure your speakers know the fact that they are presenting. Organize
your facts from weakest to strongest! Give specific examples from your sources to support your
points!
Debate Format:
Take notes while the opposition presents their argument. What logical fallacies are present? What
information can you refute with evidence? You will lose points for talking during the
opposition’s presentation!
Coin toss will determine who will go first: defend or challenge
1. Team 1 presents their argument (2 speakers; 6 minutes, total)
a. Introduction = 2 minutes
b. Argument = 4 minutes
2. Team 2 presents their argument (2 speakers; 6 minutes, total)
a. Introduction = 2 minutes
b. Argument = 4 minutes
3. Team 1 presents their rebuttal and conclusion (2 speakers; 3 minutes, total)
a. Rebuttal = 2 minutes
b. Conclusion = 1 minute
4. Team 2 presents their rebuttal and conclusion (2 speakers; 3 minutes, total)
a. Rebuttal = 2 minutes
b. Conclusion = 1 minute
5. Make peace- Leave as friends 
Debate Topics (bold topics are for Pullins’ class):
Create your teams (Defend and Challenge) based on the cards you randomly selected. You may not
change cards!
1. Assertion: Because recycling uses more energy than it conserves, all recycling facilities should
be shut down by January 2016.
2. Assertion: After graduation high school, all students must complete a year of service
(AmeriCorp, military, community service, etc.) before enrolling in any post-secondary
school (vocational, technical, two year, four year, etc).
3. Assertion: The SAT should be eliminated from college admissions decisions.
4. Assertion: Because of the threat to the environment, all U.S. off shore drilling sites should be
shut down by January 2016.
5. Assertion: Social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, SnapChat, etc.) are more harmful
than beneficial to society.
6. Assertion: Men and women have achieved equality.
7. Assertion: An academic honor code increases academic integrity and decreases cheating.
8. Assertion: The National Government should not be involved in each states educational system.
9. Assertion: To reduce obesity, all unhealthy foods should be taxed an extra 1% by January 2016.
10. Assertion: In an effort to reduce the amount of toxic chemical exposure, all household items sold
in the United States (groceries, cleaners, pesticides, fertilizers, etc.) must be organic and free of
toxic chemicals by January 2016.