Global Issues Oxford-Style Debate Series
Objective: Students will engage in a 45-minute debate on a current event topic.
Preparation:
1. Students will sign up for a debate topic and day.
2. Students will research your topic and, using your reliable sources, write a 2 minute
prepared statement. Coordinate your statement with teammates in advance and practice
delivering it! Do not simply read your statement to the class.
3. Students will create an annotated bibliography (single document, MLA citation format, 8
sources minimum for the team including one from a Lane Library database). At least 4 of
your sources must come from the class website links, however all sources must be
reliable.
Guidelines for Debaters:
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Each member of the team must participate equally.
Each team must demonstrate thorough research and will turn in the annotated bibliography at the
beginning of the debate. (Late bibliographies will NOT be accepted.)
Each team member must turn in their individual prepared statement after the debate.
Sources must be cited during the debate.
Each team must adhere to the format and guidelines as described on the format sheet.
Teams will be judged on understanding of topic, quality of evidence, and persuasiveness.
The grade will be based on Mr. Chipman’s score.
Each debate will last 45 minutes.
The winning team in each debate will receive 10 extra credit points. “Winning” team
will be determined by class votes for the debate position.
Each debate is worth 100 points.
Points will be deducted from teams with tardy or absent members.
An absent student will receive NO POINTS.
Guidelines for Audience:
1) Audience members must find, read, and annotate an article from a reliable source (source must be
visible) on the debate topic before the debate. This will be turned in with their notes from the debate
for a grade. Be sure to use the “Print” option when printing articles.
2) The audience must participate in the debate by taking notes and asking questions. Each student must
ask at least 2 substantive questions by the end of the debate series. Extra points will be given for
students who are particularly engaged.
3) Some questions should be prepared in advance, although most will be written during the debate.
Some of the reliable news sources:
nytimes.com – The New York Times
bbc.co.uk - BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)
npr.org – National Public Radio
dwelle.de - Deutsche Welle – English (Germany)
washingtonpost.com – The Washington Post
english.aljazeera.net - Al Jazeera English
newsweek.com – Newsweek
economist.com – The Economist
Lane Tech Library Databases:
Go to www.lanetech.org, Resources, Library, scroll down
Opposing Viewpoints: Thousands of articles on pro/con
http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/cps1440
Full-text articles from over 1000 magazines and newspapers.
http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/cps1440
Global Newsbank
http://infoweb.newsbank.com/enter/access/11942
intelligencesquaredus.org – Oxford-Style Debates
online.wsj.com – The Wall Street Journal
csmonitor.com – The Christian Science Monitor
guardian.co.uk – The Guardian
CQ Reader: In depth coverage on contemporary social issues.
http://library2.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/login
Oxford-Style Debate Format
1. Secret ballot of the audience on the position statement. Votes will be tallied, but results
will not be revealed until after the debate.
2. 1st supporting speaker (PRO) - 2 minutes
a. A good introduction that attracts the audiences attention and interest in the topic
b. Should include a complete response in support of the proposition.
c. Speech should make use of facts, statistics, and anecdotes as supporting evidence.
3. 1st opposing speaker (CON) - 2 minutes
a. A good introduction that attracts the audiences attention and interest in the topic
b. Should include a complete response in opposition of the proposition.
c. Speech should make use of facts, statistics, and anecdotes as supporting evidence.
4. 2nd supporting speaker (PRO) - 2 minutes
a. Should include a complete response in support of the proposition. Response should
provide a different angle than the first speaker, or serve as an elaboration on the
first speaker’s speech. For example, if the first speaker relied heavily on facts, the
second speaker could use humor or personal experience.
b. Speech should make use of facts, statistics, and anecdotes as supporting evidence.
5. 2nd opposing speaker (CON) - 2 minutes
a. Should include a complete response in opposition of the proposition. Response
should provide a different angle than the first speaker, or serve as an elaboration on
the first speaker’s speech. For example, if the first speaker relied heavily on facts,
the second speaker could use humor or personal experience.
b. Speech should make use of facts, statistics, and anecdotes as supporting evidence.
6. 3rd supporting speaker (PRO) - 2 minutes
a. Should include a complete response in support of the proposition. Response should
provide a different angle than the first and second speakers, or serve as an
elaboration on their speeches. For example, if the first speaker relied heavily on
facts, and the second speaker used humor, the third could use personal experience.
b. Speech should make use of facts, statistics, and anecdotes as supporting evidence.
7. 3rd opposing speaker (CON) - 2 minutes
a. Should include a complete response in opposition of the proposition. Response
should provide a different angle than the first and second speakers, or serve as an
elaboration on their speeches. For example, if the first speaker relied heavily on
facts, and the second speaker used humor, the third could use personal experience.
b. Speech should make use of facts, statistics, and anecdotes as supporting evidence.
8. Questions from the audience – 28 minutes
a. Audience members must ask questions that either:
i. Serve to gather more information for making a decision or
ii. Challenge the arguments of one side
b. Questions must be addressed to an individual on a team, although other team
members may add to the response.
9. Final secret vote of the audience on the position statement. The first and second vote
results will be posted at the end.