Debating – Introduction to the Art of Debate

Lesson Summary:

The lesson is an introduction to the art of debate.  The reading is designed to be used by the children when preparing for a debate. It is important to organize and monitor the debate carefully to ensure its success.   A number of possible topics are provided and the children themselves may come up with others which are particularly relevant to their own circumstances.

Objectives:

  • The children will understand the difference between a quarrel and a logical argument.
  • The children will hone their speaking and listening skills by practicing the art of debating.
  • The children will be able to present and counter arguments for and against a given topic.

Subject Area:

Language Arts

Lesson Excerpt:

Let’s talk about arguments. The first thing to remember when we talk about arguing is that an argument should not mean a fight. Quarreling implies ill feeling but arguing is actually an attempt to persuade someone who feels differently to come around to our way of thinking.  We do this by:

  • presenting our arguments in a calm and logical manner,
  • listening to our opponents and then
  • countering their arguments with further arguments of our own.

So arguing requires both speaking and listening skills.  This type of argument is called a debate.   Here are some rules for successful debating:

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