Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Classes
Considering responsibility in debates
Learn how to discuss responsibility in a debate
Student debating resource developed by The Arts Unit
Years 5 to 8 debating
What will I learn?
In this Creative Class, you will learn how discussing responsibility can strengthen your case in a debate.
You will:
discuss responsibility
consider whether kids are responsible enough for a task
argue how a task increases or decreases responsibility
analyse examples from debates.
Before you begin
For the lesson, you will need:
a device to watch the videos
your debating journal (or paper) and a pen.
- Discuss
Watch the video to learn about responsibility in the context of debating.
Responsibility in debates
Duration: 02:22Explain what you think ‘responsibility’ means.
Think about the responsibility level of each student listed below. List 3 things you think they are responsible enough to do on their own:
a Kindergarten student
a Year 3 student
a Year 6 student
a Year 9 student
a Year 12 student.
Why are these different? Explain why you think people are considered to be more responsible as they get older. How do you become more responsible?
Discuss and decide:
Which of these topics could include arguments about responsibility?
That schools should ban unhealthy food
That technology is making kids overweight
That all kids should have a pet
That the voting age should be lowered to 15 years old
That all children should have to read for 30 minutes a day
That students should get to pick their classes and teachers
That schools should ban uniforms
That kids should be paid for doing chores.
Check your answers:
All of the above topics could involve a discussion about responsibility! Some more than others, but responsibility could be mentioned in all of these debates.
That schools should ban unhealthy food
Think: are students responsible enough to make their own choices about what to eat, to ensure that they are healthy?
That technology is making kids overweight
Think: are kids responsible enough to manage their technology use and their health?
That all kids should have a pet
Think: are kids responsible enough to keep their pet safe and alive?
That the voting age should be lowered to 15 years old
Think: are 15 year olds responsible enough to help decide who runs the local council, state or country?
That all children should have to read for 30 minutes a day
Think: are children responsible enough to make sure they read without someone making them do it?
That students should get to pick their classes and teachers
Think: are they responsible enough to pick a teacher that will help them improve and will they pick a class with peers that won’t distract them?
That schools should ban uniforms
Think: are students responsible enough to pick clothing that will be safe and appropriate to wear to school?
That kids should be paid for doing chores
Think: are students responsible enough to save their money and spend it wisely?
2. Consider
The first thing you need to consider when you are discussing responsibility is: Are kids responsible enough for this task?
Watch the video to learn how to answer this question in a debate. As you listen, take notes in your debating journal (use dot points).
Are kids responsible enough for this task?
Duration: 14:08
Task 1: Compose an affirmative argument
Use the modified version of point, explain, example, link (PEEL) to write an argument for the topic:
‘That the voting age should be lowered to 15 years old’ (affirmative).
As the affirmative, you think 15-year-olds are responsible enough to vote and that the voting age should be lowered. Use the template below to help you.
Point
“My team’s 1st argument will show that… (insert short heading)”.
Explain
“Firstly, 15-year-olds are responsible enough because… (explain why)”.
“Secondly, the task isn’t too risky because… (explain why)”.
“That’s important because…”.
Example
“For example… (give a real-world example and how it works)”.
Link
“And that’s why… (insert the topic)”.
Task 2: Compose a negative argument
Write an opposing argument for the same topic:
‘That the voting age should be lowered to 15 years old’ (negative).
Remember, as the negative team you are saying that the voting age should not be lowered (it should stay as is). You are explaining why 15-year-olds would not be responsible enough to vote. Use the template below to guide you.
Point
“My team’s 1st argument will show that… (insert short heading)”.
Explain
“Firstly, 15-year-olds aren’t responsible enough because… (explain why)”.
“Secondly, the task is too risky because… (explain why)”.
“That’s important because…”.
Example
“For example… (give a real-world example and how it works)”.
Link
“And that’s why…. (insert the topic)”.
3. Argue
When you are discussing responsibility, the other thing you may want to consider is: Will this task increase responsibility?
Watch the video to learn how to answer this question in a debate. As you listen, take notes in your debating journal (use dot points).
Will this task increase responsibility?
Duration: 04:55
Task 3: Compose an affirmative argument
Use the regular version of PEEL to write an argument for the topic:
‘That primary schools should have class pets’ (affirmative).
As the affirmative team, you want to argue that this would make kids more responsible. You think the risks are low and you will explain how this will teach them responsibility. Use the template below to help you.
Point
“My team’s 1st argument will show that… (insert short heading)”.
Explain
“Right now… (explain how bad things currently are)”.
“After the change… (explain how good things will be after the change)”.
“That’s important because…".
Example
“For example… (give a real-world example and how it works)”.
Link
“And that’s why…. (insert the topic)”.
Task 4: Compose a negative argument
Use PEEL to write an opposing argument for the topic:
‘That primary schools should have class pets’ (negative).
As the negative team, you want to argue that this would not make kids more responsible. You think the risks are too high and you will explain how this will not actually teach them responsibility. Use the template below to help you.
Point
“My team’s 1st argument will show that… (insert short heading)”.
Explain
“Right now… (explain how things are fine as is)”.
“After the change… (explain how bad things would get after the change)”.
“That’s important because…".
Example
“For example… (give a real-world example and how it works)”.
Link
“And that’s why…. (insert the topic)”.
4. Analyse
Analyse these examples of students discussing responsibility in debates.
Watch the videos and answer the questions.
Example in a debate 1
That we should ban students from bringing unhealthy food to school Duration: 01:57Example 1 questions:
What is the task they are discussing?
Do they think children are or aren’t responsible enough to be trusted with the task? Why or why not?
Example in a debate 2
That we should ban parents and teachers from making primary school kids do homework or study outside of school hoursDuration: 01:04Example 2 questions:
What is the task they are discussing?
What are the 2 concerns of the negative team (what are they worried will happen after the change)?
Example in a debate 3
That we should require students in Years 3 to 6 to do 30 minutes of homework every weeknightDuration: 01:33Example 3 questions:
How do they describe students now (before the change)? Why is this a concern?
How will things be better after the change?
How will the change improve responsibility?
5. Summarise
Summarise this lesson – what should you consider when you discuss responsibility in a debate?
After you have written your summary, you can watch this re-cap from Tony Davey.
Summary of responsibility in debates
Duration: 02:19
If you are interested, you can watch the above debates in full:
Good luck with your next debate!
Congratulations! You have completed this Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Class.
To continue learning about debating and develop your skills, you might like to complete these other debating Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Classes:
