What this lesson teaches
Structured debate argument and rebuttal.
Language Arts
Can you finish debate club practice in about 35 min?
Debate Club Practice
You will structured debate argument and rebuttal.
Duration35 min
Age GroupAges 11–16
DifficultyIntermediate
SubjectPublic Speaking
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How the activity runs
The learning connection
Arguing a position you don't personally hold develops intellectual empathy — the ability to understand a view from inside it. This skill is foundational to law, diplomacy, ethical reasoning, and evidence-based decision-making, and is almost never explicitly developed in standard schooling.
Try it with your learner
1. Pick topic. 2. Assign sides. 3. 2-min argument each. 4. 1-min rebuttal. 5. 1-min summary.