Speaking and listening
Bands B,C,D

What is it?

Debating is a structured way of exploring the range of views over an issue

What is its purpose?

• To promote collaboration
• To develop research skills
• To assist in the development of argument.
• To develop understanding of a basic principle of democracy - that opposing arguments should be presented in order to develop understanding of an issue
• To develop contextual understanding by exploring a variety of views

How do I do it?

There are many ways of doing this. This is one way that works.

• Brain storm topics and get the students to present them as statements with a strong and clear point of view. For example:
  If introduced, capital punishment would solve the crime problem
  Jobs are more important than the environment
• Divide the class into teams of 6, 3 for the motion, 3 against. Spare students can take on the roles of time keeper, adjudicator, chairperson.
• Allow sufficient preparation time
• Set the room up appropriately. Below is one way this can be done:

 

• The debate is introduced in a formal way by the chairperson. Affirmative 1 speaks first, Negative 1 second, affirmative 2 third until the final speaker negative 3.
• To start it is best if the students debate their own point of view
• As the group gets more experienced it is worth negotiating many of the 'rules'.
• Each speaker talks for an agreed time - this would vary according to experience and age.
  For each team:
  

  Speaker 1	Introduce topic, team's argument and team. Speaker 1 in negative can rebut also.
  Speaker 2	Rebuttal and continue team's case
  Speaker 3	Rebuttal and summary of team's case

                          
• Judging - equally divided between:
  

  Matter	The content	/10
  Manner	How they said it	/10
  Method	How well they worked as a team	/10

How can I adapt it?

• Peer adjudication
• Inter -class competition
• Use brief, three minute debates to practise the skills with less experienced or reluctant students. Students work in groups of four for each topic. Each side has one presenter and one coach to assist in preparation. Preparation time is brief, a maximum of five minutes to start with. One side presents an argument followed by the other side and then the class votes on the winning argument through a show of hands. (This strategy is based on one outlined by John Marsden at the 1998 TATE/ALEA conference)

How can it be used to evaluate students' learning?

The following can be assessed through debating:

• Social skills in working with others
• Contextual understanding
• Speaking and listening
• Research skills

Where can I find out more?

For further information about debating contact the Tasmanian Debating Union. For help in developing arguments about a wide range of topics, have a look at the site Debatabase.

Tirade online is the Debaters Association of Victoria's site. Back issues of newsletters provide useful information about debating skills and adjudication.