Unit Plan
Department of Defense

Do Dea: Contemplation and Argumentation

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
In this self-guided unit, you will read Romantic and Transcendental literature and you will practice the art of persuasion using rhetorical devices, appeals, and refutation while avoiding logical fallacies. By the end of the unit, you...
Unit Plan
Other

Pbs News Hour: Watch the Debates

For Students 9th - 10th
Scroll back as far as 1960 to watch and interact with highlights from debates between presidential and vice presidential candidates over the years. Examine ways the candidates debate topics of the economy, gun control, and civil rights....
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: The Constitution: Counter Revolution or National Salvation

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Using primary texts and prior study of Colonial America and the Revolution, students examine "what type of government would best represent the ideals of the American Revolution." Worksheets, discussions, and role-playing within this...
Handout
California State University

Csun: Debate: Debate Formats

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Great explanation of the debate formats commonly used in high schools and universities. High school formats include Team Policy and Lincoln-Douglas debates, while university formats include NDT, CEDA, and Parliamentary debates. Formats,...
Handout
Capital Community College Foundation

Guide to Grammar and Writing: Abstract, Concrete, General, and Specific Terms

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Insightful, conversational discussion of the four terms and how each are needed to improve communication provided for by the Capital Community College.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Hosting a Presidential Debate: Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson plan, students will watch a 2016 Presidential debate and complete a Public Forum Debate Ballot to analyze campaign issues. Then students will hold a formal Presidential debate on the issues to practice normal debate...
Article
CNN

Cnn: All Politics Debates Bring Out the Best and the Worst I

For Students 9th - 10th
A 1996 CNN news item reviews some of the famous mistakes made in presidential debates and considers the measures candidates take to make good impressions and avoid spectacular gaffes.
Unit Plan
Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary From the Ninth Democratic Debate, April 14, 2016

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site contains a list of 20 words from the Ninth Democratic Debate, April 14, 2016. Teachers can digitally assign this list to their students to reinforce the spellings, pronunciations, and meanings of these words
Interactive
iCivics

I Civics: Games: Cast Your Vote

For Students 3rd - 8th
This resource is an interactive educational game that places the players in control of all three branches of government to test their abilities to turn issues of concern into full-fledged laws. In the debate, choose the questions to help...
Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: The Smoking Section

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn various perspectives on the issue of smoking in public places in New York City in this video segment from New York Voices.
Handout
Philosophy Pages

Philosophy Pages: Categorical Syllogisms

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Provides a detailed look at syllogisms. Sections include the following: "The Structure of Syllogism," "Standard Form," "Form and Validity," and "Diagramming Syllogisms."
Handout
Other

Introduction to the National Debate Tournament

For Students 9th - 10th
This page provides a history of the National Debate Tournament since its establishment.
Handout
Other

The Skeptic's Dictionary: Begging the Question

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site from The Skeptic's Dictionary defines the term and provides a number of examples. Each example is given a complete explanation.
Handout
Other

Fqs: Debate "Quality of Qualitative Research"

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This link provides information about forming you debate speech. It foucuses on the quality of the quantity of your speech.
Handout
Other

Net Inc Technologies: Subsidiary Motions and Functions

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Very clear explanation of subsidiary motions and how they are used in a meeting from NetInc Technologies. Contains a good deal of information in an easy-to-read format.
Handout
Other

Manitoba Speeach and Debate Association: Rules of Cross Examination Debate

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
The Rules of Cross-Examination Debate are listed and explained at this resource.
Website
Other

Manitoba: Guidelines for Judging Debate

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Scale given for grading, plus explanations of each catagory.
Primary
PBS

Pbs News Hour: Past Debates

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief Online NewsHour report highlights some of the classic, and not so classic moments in the history of televised presidential debates. A very interesting glimpse at past debates.
Primary
PBS

Pbs Online News Hour: Open Season

For Students 9th - 10th
This Online NewsHour forum features a law professor and a political scientist debating the value of open primaries in the states.
Unit Plan
TES Global

Blendspace: Effective Communication

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A learning module with links to texts, images, and videos on how to communicate effectively.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Cloning Around

For Teachers 5th Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating whether human cloning should or should not be allowed. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: News Debate Cash Courses

For Teachers 7th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating whether students should or should not get paid to attend class. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Are Public Curfews Fair?

For Teachers 7th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating public curfews for teens. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Boys Only Girls Only!

For Teachers 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating single-sex schools. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.