Purpose- After engaging in a debate, evaluate your participation as a listener and speaker through a written response.

Debate Resolution-

Choose a debate topic that is important to your community. The topic should be presented in the form of a resolution.

For example, you might choose to debate the following resolution: “School uniforms should be required for all students.” In each debate, one side will argue in favor of the resolution, and the other side will argue against the resolution.

Assignment Instructions-

Step 1: Choose a topic for your debate. Brainstorm with your peers and teacher to decide on a topic.

Step 2: Prepare for your debates.

a) Determine who will be the moderator, who will be affirmative, and who will be negative. Keep in mind that debaters often argue for positions they do not personally support.

b) Gather your ideas about your topic.

c) Conduct research to gather evidence that supports your ideas.

d) Keep notes as you prepare so you can access your ideas and supporting evidence during the debate.

Step 3: Engage in a debate.

a) Ask your teacher for guidance about how long to spend on each section of the debate. Keep track of time to make sure both participants have time to speak.

b) The affirmative side should begin by making a claim in which the position is explained. Remember to support ideas with evidence. Then, the negative will ask questions and then make a claim. Take notes to remember issues you want to address later in the debate.

c) The affirmative should then ask questions and present a rebuttal that will highlight possible weaknesses in the negative’s argument.

d) The negative should then present a rebuttal that will highlight possible weaknesses in the affirmative’s argument.

e) Conclude by allowing the affirmative to give a final rebuttal.

Step 4: Write to evaluate the debate.

a) Use your notes from the debate to complete the debate evaluation. Be sure to write in complete sentences and use appropriate grammar.