Debate Guidelines
Website Address: www.curriki.org/oer/Debate-Guidelines
Does global warming require immediate action?
An educated debate among students Work with your group to develop an unbeatable case for either taking immediate action to reduce global warming, or not. In order to accomplish this, you must work together as a team. Each member of the team needs to be responsible for some aspect of your debate. Please review the roles listed below and decide who will be responsible for which role. Please write names next to each role so everyone is clear about the expectations. Participation Roles 3 Spokespeople: These people present your groups case during the debate. Although others in your group may talk to them during the debate, only these three talk to the judge and present your case during the debate.
Names: _______________________________________________________________________
Visual Aids Producers: These people create the visual aids presented during your case. The visual aids are shown to the other group during disclosure day, so they must be ready (at least in rough draft form) by disclosure day.
Names: ______________________________________________________________
3 Representatives: These people act as contacts between your group and the teacher. They collect any handouts from the teacher for the group, report to the teacher on progress each day, and keep all resources in a central location for group.
Names: ______________________________________________________________
4 Disclosure Members: These people disclose all resources and visual aids to the other team on disclosure day. They are responsible for taking notes about the evidence disclosed by the opposing team. Members need to understand what they are disclosing, and understand what is important about the evidence from the other team.
Names: _______________________________________________________________
All group members are expected to read and share research with each other. Non-spokespeople are expected to support the spokespeople during the debate with additional arguments and counter-arguments.
Format for debate
Each team presents opening statements. One spokesperson from each team gives the statement for their group. These statements must be based on research and should represent the arguments your team will present. Opening statements should be 3 to 5 minutes in length. Only one person may talk at a time during the entire debate.
After opening statements, one team presents an argument. This is a statement about why your team's opinion is correct. Use research to back up your argument, as well as visual aids if needed. Only this team may talk until they are finished with their argument.
The other team then presents a counter-argument, also based on research.
Finally, the first team has a chance for rebuttal. This is when the first team can dispute what was stated in the counter-argument. Once the rebuttal is finished, no other comments may be made regarding this argument, all discussion ends and a new argument begins.
For the second argument, the second team starts. The format follows as above: argument, counter, rebuttal. This process will repeat as many times as necessary until all arguments are heard, or we run out of time.
Once all arguments finish, each team has a two minute conference to prepare a closing statement. Each team will present the closing statement with only one person talking at a time. No new information may be presented during the close. However, visual aids used during arguments may be referred to again.
When all is finished, we will all shake hands and leave our disputes and tempers behind.
Scoring Rubric
| Categories | Exceeds Expectations | Meets Expectations | Emerging |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arguments and Counter-arguments | All statementsmade during the debate are based on research. Statements relatedirectly to the opinion of the team. Counter-arguments and rebuttalsare clear and show an understanding of the information presented by theopposing team. | 80-90% ofstatements made are based on research. 1-2 errors in understanding orpresenting the data researched. Counter-arguments and rebuttals stay onfocus and demonstrate an understanding of the oppositions argument. | Statements do notshow a thorough understanding of your teams opinion. Arguments arevague and counters demonstrate a lack of attention paid to theoppositions statements. |
| Science Content | Debate includes correct use of science terms regarding climate change Visual aids demonstrate a clear understanding of the science content involved | Debate includes some science terms, though not all are used correctly Visual aids have science terms in them | Debate includes few science terms, though not all are used correctly Visual aids have no science terms in them |
| Visual Aids | At least 3 visual aids presented Visual aids improve the presentation Clean, clear, appropriately cited | 2 visual aids presented Visual aids improve the presentation Clean, clear, appropriately cited | Visual aids do not improve the presentation Not appropriately cited |
| Participation | All members of the group participate in the prep work All members follow the guidelines for their assigned roles Group remains on task during entire prep work time | Most members of the group participate in the prep work Most members follow the guidelines for their assigned roles Group remains on task during 80-90% of prep work time | Majority of work falls on the shoulders of only a few members Group loses focus during prep time |