The Arts Unit Unit Creative Teachers
Embedded Files
Foundation skills for novice debaters
Foundation skills for novice debaters
This page of resources is for junior students who are completely new to debating.
Please note that some of the below resources were designed for primary students (Years 5 and 6) but may also be useful for students in Years 7 or 8 who have no prior debating experience.
If you are coaching more experienced students, refer to the skill-specific pages in the coaching activities page.
Working with students who are new to debating
Working with students who are new to debating
What beginner skills should I teach my students?
If your students are relatively new to debating, it is best to start with the basics:
the rules of debating and the roles of each speaker
developing a definition
arguments
rebuttals
manner (public speaking skills)
how to prepare for a debate.
You can then continue on with some of the more complex topics (for example, mechanisms, characterisation and responsibility).
How can I teach my students these skills?
To make your coaching journey a little easier, we have put together one lesson on each of the beginner topics. These lessons are called Creative Classes.
Lessons include instructional videos, interactive activities and downloadable documents that you can complete with your students. These are listed below in the 'Interactive lessons' section on this page.
In what order should I teach the skills?
It is recommended you complete Creative Class lessons in the order below, however, the lesson on manner includes activities that you could use each training session as a warm up activity.
How do you access the interactive lessons?
Creative Classes can be displayed on an interactive whiteboard (IWB), a computer, tablet or smartphone device.
They are free, easy to use and do not require a login for access.
Creative Classes work best in the Google Chrome internet browser.
How should I train my novice debating team?
Debate training will vary from school to school, but it is ideal to meet with your debating students at least once a week. Your training schedule will be dependent on your student needs and the amount of time you have available.
Interactive lessons
Interactive lessons
The Arts Unit have a number of interactive step-by-step debating lessons available for you to use. These can be completed with a group of students (e.g. using an Interactive Whiteboard or projector) or students can complete these lessons independently at home or at school.
Please note: most of the below lessons were designed for primary students but may also be useful for students in Years 7 or 8 who are brand new to debating.
Develop good manner
Develop good manner
Lesson 1: Develop your manner (public speaking skills) with our 'Best manners' creative class.
Suggestion: Warm up with one game from this lesson each training session!
Learn the roles and rules of debating
Learn the roles and rules of debating
Lesson 2: Learn about the roles of each speaker and the rules of debating with our 'Roles and rules' creative class.
Learn about definitions
Learn about definitions
Lesson 3: Learn how to define a debate with our 'Discovering definitions' creative class.
Learn how to write an argument
Learn how to write an argument
Lesson 4: Learn how to write and present an argument for debating with our 'Crafting persuasive arguments' creative class.
Learn how to write rebuttal
Learn how to write rebuttal
Lesson 5: Learn how to write and present a rebuttal for debating with our 'That's debatable!' creative class.
Learn how to prepare for a debate
Learn how to prepare for a debate
Lesson 6: Learn how to prepare for a debate with our 'Ready, prep, debate!' creative class.
Learn to respond to definitions
Learn to respond to definitions
Lesson 7: Learn how to respond to definitions as the negative with our 'Deep diving into definitions' creative class.
Utilise characterisation in debates
Utilise characterisation in debates
Lesson 8: Learn how to use characterisation and descriptive language in debates our 'Characterisation in debates' creative class.
Discuss responsibility in debates
Discuss responsibility in debates
Lesson 9: Learn how to discuss responsibility in debates with our 'Considering responsibility in debates' creative class.
Use mechanisms in a debate
Use mechanisms in a debate
Lesson 10: Learn how to use mechanisms in a debate with our 'Marvellous mechanisms' creative class.
Printable resources
Printable resources
Please note: most competitions (including the NSW Premier's Debating Challenge) do not allow students to bring resources with them into a debate or prep room; these templates and activities are for training purposes only.
Some of the resources below are from Creative Classes. Select the link in each section if you would like to view the interactive lesson that the resource is from.
Please note: the following resources are from classes designed for students in Years 5 and 6 but may also be relevant to junior students who are brand new to debating.
Defining the topic
Defining the topic
Note: These activities are from the Discovering definitions debating lesson.
Practising a definition activity
Practising a definition activity
Defining a topic in a primary debate template.docxContext and definition activity
Context and definition activity
Giving context and defining the topic in a primary debate.docxWriting arguments and rebuttals
Writing arguments and rebuttals
Note: These templates are linked to the lessons 'Crafting persuasive arguments' and 'That's debatable'.
PEEL palm card template
PEEL palm card template
PEEL palm card templates.docxRebuttal palm card template
Rebuttal palm card template
Rebuttal palm card templates.docxThe roles of each speaker
The roles of each speaker
Overview of speaker roles
Overview of speaker roles
A summary of the roles of each speaker and the order they speak in
Overview of speaker roles.docxMy team's planning
My team's planning
Template for students to record a summary of their team's planning session
My team's planning.docxDownload and print speech templates for each speaker.
Note: many competitions do not allow students to bring paper or notes into the preparation room. These templates should be used for training purposes only.
Template for each affirmative speaker
Template for each affirmative speaker
Template for each negative speaker
Template for each negative speaker
Note: Learn more about each speaker role in the Roles and rules of debating lesson. Learn about how to prepare for a debate in the Ready, prep, debate! lesson.
Page updated
Report abuse