I Can Debate
Debating is a lot of fun!
Let's learn the basics through some practice!
Learning basic strategies
Learning basic strategies
TOPIC: Should there be homework in schools?
I know you may have your own opinions about this... but in real-life debate you can't always choose your side.
Let's say you're debating the little purple guy and your role is to support homework in schools. What could you say? Click on the options to find out more!
A) "I disagree. You're wrong."
This would not be a very good response because it does not give any reasons. In real-life debate, never make an argument without supporting it with reasons!
B) "I disagree. By removing homework, students may become less engaged with learning outside of school. Homework allows them to practice what they learn."
This would be a great response! Unlike option A, option B not only gives an argument, but clear reasons to support that argument- a "straightforward response".
C) "While it's true that homework takes away from our personal time, we can save time later when studying for our test since we already had practice while doing homework"
Option C is a little different from the previous options- notice that we start by mentioning it's "true that homework takes away from our personal time", something our opponent said. But, we follow up with reasons why our argument is still more convincing.
This is a strategy you might want to start thinking about: acknowledge something your opponent said, but still prove why your side is more convincing.
A) "I disagree. You're wrong."
This would not be a very good response because it does not give any reasons. In real-life debate, never make an argument without supporting it with reasons!
Practice what you learned!
They made some good points, but I will convince the audience that our side is more convincing.
A
I'll just say my opinion
C
I want to give straightforward reasons.
B
Let's practice applying the three strategies you just learned. Your opponent is in red.
This time, you have three friends on your side helping you debate (the little blue guys).
What can each blue guy say based on the strategy they want to use? Click their speech bubbles to check yourself!
Events
Your turn!
TOPIC: Should there be homework in schools?
Depending on your strategy, how could you respond?
There is no one right answer, but hover over the options for examples!
You want to give a straightforward response.
“I disagree. PE is important for helping students stay active, especially when they might not exercise outside of school.”
You want to acknowledge that some students don't like PE while still showing that your side is more convincing.
“It’s true that some students would rather do art or music, PE teaches teamwork and healthy habits, which are just as important as art and music.”
How would you NOT want to respond?
“Skipping PE sounds great! I don't like it anyway."
C) "While it's true that homework takes away from our personal time, we can save time later when studying for our test since we already had practice while doing homework"
Option C is a little different from the previous options- notice that we start by mentioning it's "true that homework takes away from our personal time", something our opponent said. But, we follow up with reasons why our argument is still more convincing.
This is a strategy you might want to start thinking about: acknowledge something your opponent said, but still prove why your side is more convincing.
A) "I disagree. You're wrong."
This would not be a very good response because it does not give any reasons. In real-life debate, never make an argument without supporting it with reasons!
Events
Practice with these sample topics and facts sheets!
