An Introduction to Classroom Debates

Below you will find a guideline for planning for a classroom debate.

A. Preparation:

 Understanding what a debate is.

 Viewing examples of professional debates (e.g. Presidential, at

http://debates.org/).

 Brainstorming possible debate topics with the class.

 Inviting a Debate Team to class (e.g. high school students) to model a debate.

B. The Teams

 The class is divided into two to four teams.

 The teams are assigned to be Pro or Con and prepare their arguments pro or con a particular statement.

C. Teamwork:

 Discuss positive teamwork responsibilities (group rapport, taking turns, respecting the views of others, keeping noise to a minimum).

 Teams will nominate a team CAPTAIN.
(Responsibilities include: maintaining team discipline and focus, leadership, being fair and unbiased, delegating group member responsibilities, organizing and structuring.)

 Decide how teams will NOMINATE a team Captain by discussing fairness in nominations, deciding to let a name stand for a nomination, show of hands, tallies, drawing names from a hat, etc.

 Review group member responsibilities: to support the captain, plan and research arguments, participate actively in planning and discussions, collate information and maintain self-control.

D. Planning:

 Teamwork, expectations, and tasks will be reviewed.

 The teacher's role is facilitator. He/She will monitor each group to assist with understanding the roles, maintaining focus, and brainstorming research topics.

 After teams have nominated a Captain and brainstormed research topics, team members should assume responsibility for researching their supporting topics, using all available resources (Internet, library, encyclopedia).   Use the following web sites:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/               

http://nytimes.com/ (free 14 day trial available)           

http://news.google.com/

http://cnn.com/    

http://usnews.com/usnews/home.htm

News sites especially for kids:

http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/content/news/

http://kidsnewsroom.org/

http://timeforkids.com/TFK/  

         

 Once resources have been collected, it is important that each group member have an opportunity to present his/her research and materials to the group for discussion.

 At that point, the group will decide if and how that information should be used and assist members in supporting their arguments. (Is the information necessary to the defense of the argument?)

 Each team must try to predict what the other team's arguments and responses may be so that team members are as prepared as they can be!