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English · Grade 12

Discussion, Debate and Oral Defense

Learners study the structure and thinking of formal debate and oral defense. They learn resolutions, burden of proof, constructive and rebuttal speeches and cross-examination; flow a debate and answer arguments by extending, turning and weighing impacts; ask and answer cross-examination questions fairly, using Theodore Roosevelt's “man in the arena” passage (1910) as a prompt; and prepare to defend a project by anticipating questions and acknowledging limits honestly. Speaking practice is optional and unscored.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 140 minutes
  • Debate and defense check: 10 questions
  • Ways to answer: choose an answer, choose a reply, highlight a text, match pairs, put in order and sort into groups
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What learners will discover

  • Explain debate structure: the resolution, sides, burden of proof, constructive and rebuttal speeches and cross-examination.
  • Track a debate on a flow and answer arguments by extending, turning and weighing impacts.
  • Ask and answer cross-examination questions that are fair, focused and honest.
  • Prepare an oral defense of a project by anticipating questions, answering directly and acknowledging limits honestly.

Lessons

  1. How a formal debate works 5 steps3 practiceabout 33 min
  2. Flow, extend, turn and weigh 6 steps3 practiceabout 37 min
  3. Fair cross-examination 6 steps3 practiceabout 35 min
  4. Prepare an oral defense 6 steps3 practiceabout 35 min
  5. Debate and defense check 10 questions at the end

Keep exploring

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Guide for grown-ups