Holding a full debate
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can take part in a full debate.
Key learning points
- A debate can be led by a chairperson who introduces the speakers and keeps order.
- A debate is timed by a timekeeper so that each speaker has the same amount of time to speak.
- A point of information is a brief attempted interruption of someone’s speech and is similar to rebuttal.
Keywords
Chairperson - a person in charge of a meeting, event, discussion or debate
Timekeeper - a person who measures or records the amount of time taken during an event
Point of information - a brief attempted interruption of someone’s speech
Rebuttal - a counter-argument made against something specific that the opposing team has said
Common misconception
Pupils may not feel prepared enough for the debate.
Ensure pupils have completed the previous lesson 'Preparing for a debate'. Speakers should all have written notes and have been assigned roles in their teams. They should have rehearsed their speeches and roles.
Teacher tip
Record the debate so that pupils can watch back and review their own performance in the next and final lesson of this unit.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the following key terms to the correct definitions.
the team arguing for the motion
the team arguing against the motion
the belief or proposal that is being debated
Q2.What is the acronym that teams can follow to help them prepare for a debate?
Q3.Put the steps that make up the GOAL acronym in the correct order.
Q4.When following GOAL, what are you generating?
Q5.Which of these could be a reason to order a point towards the top of your list of generated points?
Q6.True or false? It is important that you liaise with your teammates to ensure there is no overlapping between your arguments.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these are roles in a debate?
Q2.Match the different types of speakers in a debate to their roles.
to make the speeches for their team
to summarise all the speakers’ speeches
to help speakers prepare and to speak during the floor debate
Q3.Match the different roles in a debate to their functions.
to direct and keep order in the debate
to monitor the time of each speech
to score the debate and decide on the winning team
to watch the debate and ask questions in the floor debate section
Q4.True or false? The order of a debate can change.
Q5.When a point of information is made by a member of the opposing team, which of these things do they need to do?
Q6.When would a speaker make a rebuttal point?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Holding a full debate, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Holding a full debate, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the Debating important topics unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.