Students will learn the skills of public speaking and critical listening through Forum, an interactive, historical simulation. Working in teams students are introduced to components of successful public speaking. Within this simulation students are required to prepare and give speeches to persuade arguing from the opposite perspective of their own. Seven criteria are considered when evaluating speeches including introduction, thesis statement, and development of supporting facts, conclusion, posture, gestures and voice. Students should be able to use the five paragraph essay format to write a persuasive speech from the alternate point of view, thoroughly research the topic using reliable and valid sources, listen critically to their peers and persuasively deliver a speech.