一 Bell Ringer

Pick up an analysis work sheet from the front of the room and put your first and last name on the name line at the top.

We will be writing definitions on this sheet. When you see an underlined phrase, you should write it down.

I will need nine readers for the skit. Write your names on the board before the bell rings.

“It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question

without debating it.”– Joseph Joubert,

a French writer (1754-1824)

What does it mean to debate something?What does it mean to settle a debate?

“It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question

without debating it.”– Joseph Joubert,

a French writer (1754-1824)

What does it mean to debate something?What does it mean to settle a debate?

What does the first half mean?

“It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question

without debating it.”– Joseph Joubert,

a French writer (1754-1824)

What does it mean to debate something?What does it mean to settle a debate?

What does the first half mean?What does the second half mean?

“It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question

without debating it.”– Joseph Joubert,

a French writer (1754-1824)

What does it mean to debate something?What does it mean to settle a debate?

What does the first half mean?What does the second half mean?

Do you agree with Mr. Joubert? (Raise your hands)

二 Up For DebateIt’s not just an argument!

What is DEBATE? Debate is a formal type of argument.

There are several forms of debate, but all include guidelines that make sure everyone has a chance to speak their minds.

TOPIC

Every debate has a topic. This should be a pretty specific topic

statement, not a question!

“Cell phones should not be allowed in school.”

“School should start at 10am and end at 5pm.”

A debate is most interesting when it is on a topic that people disagree

about!

What do you think?

As each topic appears, give a thumbs up if you think it’s a good topic for a debate or a thumbs down if you think

it would make for a bad debate.

Cell phones should not be allowed in schools.

What do you think?

This is a good choice for a debate topic because…

… it is specific.… it is controversial (not everyone

agrees).

I love animals.

What do you think?

This is a poor topic for a debate because…

… it isn’t specific! … it isn’t controversial (there is

no disagreement)!

Making healthy food choices is good for you.

What do you think?

This is a poor topic for a debate because…

… while it is specific, it isn’t controversial!

Zayn is the best candidate for President.

What do you think?

This is a good topic for a debate because…

… it is specific!… it is controversial!

TWO SIDES

Every debate has two sides.

AFFIRMATIVEThis side says that

the topic statement is

correct.

NEGATIVEThis side says that

the topic statement is

wrong.

STRUCTURE

Both people need a turn to speak! There are many different kinds of debate… Here is one example:

Lincoln Douglas Debate

Affirmative Argument

A speaker makes the argument

that supports the debate topic.

STRUCTURE

Both people need a turn to speak! There are many different kinds of debate… Here is one example:

Lincoln Douglas Debate

Affirmative Argument

Cross Examination

The negative side asks the affirmative

side questions

about their argument.

STRUCTURE

Both people need a turn to speak! There are many different kinds of debate… Here is one example:

Lincoln Douglas Debate

Affirmative Argument

Cross Examination

Negative Argument

A speaker makes the argument that goes

against the debate topic.

STRUCTURE

Both people need a turn to speak! There are many different kinds of debate… Here is one example:

Lincoln Douglas Debate

Affirmative Argument

Cross Examination

Negative Argument

Cross Examination

The affirmative

side asks the negative

side questions

about their argument

STRUCTURE

Both people need a turn to speak! There are many different kinds of debate… Here is one example:

Lincoln Douglas Debate

Affirmative Argument

Cross Examination

Negative Argument

Cross Examination

Affirmative Rebuttal

The affirmative

side “rebuts” the

negative side’s

argument.

WAIT!!What does it mean to “rebut”

something??

A rebuttal is when one side gives evidence that disproves an argument

made by the other side of the debate.

STRUCTURE

Both people need a turn to speak! There are many different kinds of debate… Here is one example:

Lincoln Douglas Debate

Affirmative Argument

Cross Examination

Negative Argument

Cross Examination

Affirmative Rebuttal

Negative Rebuttal

The negative side rebuts

the affirmative argument.

STRUCTURE

Both people need a turn to speak! There are many different kinds of debate… Here is one example:

Lincoln Douglas Debate

Affirmative Argument

Cross Examination

Negative Argument

Cross Examination

Affirmative Rebuttal

Negative Rebuttal

Second Affirmative Rebuttal

The affirmative

side gets one last chance to make a rebuttal.

Lincoln Douglas Debate

Affirmative Argument 7 minutes

Cross Examination of Affirmative 3 minutes

Negative Argument 8 minutes

Cross Examination of Negative 3 minutes

Affirmative Rebuttal 4 minutes

Negative Rebuttal 7 minutes

Second Affirmative Rebuttal 4 minutes

How long it is all supposed to take…Builds the

main argument for each

side!

Asks questions

about each side’s

statements!

Each side defends its arguments with more

evidence and shows how the other

side’s evidence is

faulty

Why debate at all? Debate helps us learn more about

topics. When we listen to two people debate, we learn both arguments.

Debate helps us explore topics ourselves. When we participate in debate, we are forced to learn about both arguments and examine our own opinions.

Most Importantly… As United States citizens we have the

right to express and defend our position.

It is also our responsibility to be informed.

It’s not that way in all countries…

Can you imagine what it would be like if you

couldn’t speak your mind?!

三 Debate Skit

When your number appears on the screen, please stand up and read your part. Everyone else should read along quietly while listening.

Moderator: Welcome to today’s

debate. Our two sides will be

debating school uniforms. They

will be using a formal model for

debate and will be debating this

topic: “School uniforms should be

required in all schools.”

1: We believe that school uniforms should be

worn at all schools. School uniforms have

been given a bad rap, but they are a

solution for lots of problems faced by teens

and schools. There is a lot of peer pressure

in school to look “cool.” Uniforms solve the

problem of looking cool. Everyone is on the

same level!

1: An added bonus is that uniforms prepare

kids for the working world. When we get

jobs we will have to dress professionally and

uniforms help us learn how to do that.

1: Most importantly, uniforms will make the

students’ life easier! No more worrying

about what to wear in the morning. You can

use those extra five minutes to sleep in!

2: What kinds of big problems do uniforms

solve?

3: Uniforms have been shown in several

school districts to help with discipline,

attendance, and academics.

2: Are uniforms going to stop people from

wanting to be cool?

3: No, but uniforms take care of clothes which

is the biggest way we judge each other.

4: We believe that school uniforms are more

harmful than helpful. Uniforms take away

our ability to express ourselves.

4: Uniforms won’t make us work harder in

school. Kids who wear uniforms don’t

necessarily do better at school than kids

who don’t wear uniforms.

4: People also say that uniforms decrease

violence rates in schools, but there is no

evidence to support this argument.

4: Also, uniforms are expensive and we are

entitled to a free education! All in all,

uniforms are a bad idea for us and for our

school.

5: What evidence do you have to support your

claim that students who don’t wear

uniforms are just as good at school as

students who wear uniforms?

6: A study by David Brunsma and Kerry

Rockquemore published in 1998 says that

there is no direct connection between

uniforms and good academic performance.

5: Are all kids who wear uniforms unhappy?

6: A poll of my classmates says that 95% of

students say they would be unhappy if they

had to wear uniforms.

Moderator: We will now begin the rebuttals.

7: While my opponent raises some good points, it is important that we look at the facts. In Miami, Florida (1996-1997), schools reported that discipline improved after uniforms were made mandatory. Also, Psychology Today reported that in Long Beach, California, studies showed improved attendance and a drop in violence in schools with mandatory uniforms. While it is easy to say that uniforms have no good effect on students, the studies show that uniforms help solve problems in schools.

8: David Brunsma, an associate professor of

sociology at the University of Missouri-

Columbia has spent 10 years researching

how uniforms affect education. His study

says that there are no statistics proving

uniforms affect attendance, discipline,

safety or substance abuse. He says that

there are other factors, apart from uniforms,

that have a bigger impact on behavior and

academics.

9: That is only one study. Uniforms are

supported by teachers and principals

everywhere because the effects of uniforms

are clear. When schools implement

uniforms, like in Long Beach, California,

there is a drop in fights and an

improvement in attendance. Kids like to be

a part of something and a uniform makes

kids feel like they are part of something

important: school!

Moderator: And that concludes today’s

debate.

四 Debate Analysis

Together as a class, let’s analyze the debate.

If you know the answers to my questions, call them out.

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