Preparing to debate

English

How to debate

Motions that matter

Holding a full debate

Reflecting on, reviewing and scoring a debate

In this unit, pupils recap on the features of a debate and use the PEPs structure to deliver a speech. They learn what makes an effective debate motion and design their own. Pupils then prepare for and participate in a full debate, scoring their performances and reflecting on their speech delivery.

Debating important topics

What is the name of the team that argues **for** the motion in a debate?

Put these four steps in the order you should follow when preparing for a debate.

True or false? Points must be fully formed and written in full sentences when generating.  

It will provoke an emotional response from the audience.

It is an area of expertise for one of the speakers.

It would be difficult to find proof for. 

It has elements of health and safety involved.

Which two of these could be reasons to consider one point to be more effective than another?

punctuation: brackets, dashes, exclamation marks

Which of these may feature in a speaker’s notes? 

True or false? When writing notes for a speech, it is important to liaise with your teammates.

What is the name for the belief or proposal that is being debated?

True or false? A debate motion is often written as a belief or proposal. 

This house believes that the school day should be longer. 

This house would make the school day longer. 

This house believes that making the school day longer would improve attainment. 

Which of these motions is a **proposal**? 

This house believes chocolate is healthier than fruit. 

This house would allow children to drive cars. 

This house would add more PE lessons to the school timetable. 

Which of these motions would be fair for both sides to debate?

True or false? In schools, debates can be used to discuss topics that really matter and will have a genuine impact on the lives of the children at that school. 

Preparing to debate

Lesson outcome